Thank you for coming to us for advice about your injured finger.
The fingers are the most frequently injured part of the hand. Fingers are constructed of ligaments (strong supportive tissue connecting bone to bone), tendons (attachment tissue from muscle to bone), and three bones called phalanges. There are no muscles in the fingers. Fingers move by the pull of forearm muscles on the tendons.
A true fracture usually will be painful, but do not be fooled by a finger that has some range of motion as the finger may be able to bend. So, a fracture cannot be ruled out even though you can straighten it.
Mckenzie Lee, you can either contact your primary care physician or go directly to the ER for an x-ray.
If you would rather wait it out, splint the injured finger. Finger splints are available in most drug stores or you can make one using a firm support the length and width of your finger (tongue blades work well but can be hard to find) and secure by wrapping gauze around the finger and splint.
Refrain from using the affected hand. Take an analgesic if not contraindicated. Apply ice intermittently.
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Hello Mckenzie Lee,
Thank you for coming to us for advice about your injured finger.
The fingers are the most frequently injured part of the hand. Fingers are constructed of ligaments (strong supportive tissue connecting bone to bone), tendons (attachment tissue from muscle to bone), and three bones called phalanges. There are no muscles in the fingers. Fingers move by the pull of forearm muscles on the tendons.
A true fracture usually will be painful, but do not be fooled by a finger that has some range of motion as the finger may be able to bend. So, a fracture cannot be ruled out even though you can straighten it.
Mckenzie Lee, you can either contact your primary care physician or go directly to the ER for an x-ray.
If you would rather wait it out, splint the injured finger. Finger splints are available in most drug stores or you can make one using a firm support the length and width of your finger (tongue blades work well but can be hard to find) and secure by wrapping gauze around the finger and splint.
Refrain from using the affected hand. Take an analgesic if not contraindicated. Apply ice intermittently.
Keep us updated,
April 21, 2015 - 8:35amMaryann
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