Hurt Finger? Get a Grip! Head to Urgent Care

From slamming a car door to dribbling a basketball, there are endless ways to injure your fingers. Hold your hands behind your back for 5 minutes and you’ll realize just how much you count on those ten digits.

vybe is here to explain some common finger injuries and point out how urgent care can help.

What’s in a name?

Some finger injuries come with ambiguous titles.  We’ll list some here and touch on what they mean.

• Trigger Finger: A tendon in your finger becomes inflamed. The result is stiffness, clicking, and/or discomfort.
• Mallet Finger: The tip of your finger bends in towards your palm and you are unable to move it. This happens when a tendon in the tip of your finger tears or ruptures.
• Jersey Finger: The flexor tendon in your finger ruptures and the tip of the finger is immobile.
• Skier’s Thumb: The UCL (a ligament in the thumb) is damaged by an injury or overuse.

We’re Jammin

When someone says he or she ‘jammed’ a finger, it means that a finger or thumb was compressed towards the hand. Have you ever seen an accordion? The action is similar, except it’s a finger instead of an instrument, and instead of polka music, you may hear a howl of pain.

Oh, Snap!

Some of the most serious finger injuries are dislocations and fractures. While both involve a bone, they are decidedly different. A dislocation occurs when a finger bone is forced out of its normal position.  On the other hand, a broken, or fractured, finger bone is snapped, cracked, or crushed.

Can you sprain a finger?

Yes, but unlike a fracture or a dislocation, a sprain concerns your finger’s ligaments and not the bones. Because ligaments hold your finger bones in place, they are essential for functionality.

“Will I ever play the piano again, Doc?” 

Treatment and recovery time will vary based on the type and severity of your injury. To find out the best treatment for your hurt finger, visit urgent care— like your local vybe—to check it out.

If your clinician suspects an injury to the bone(s) in your finger, the first step is to get an x-ray. This will determine what’s actually going on and influence the best next steps.

With a dislocation, the first step is replacing the bone(s) in the correct position. Then treatment  for dislocated, broken, or sprained fingers will be the same:

• Ice or cool compress to relieve pain and swelling
• Treating any pain with NSAIDs (like ibuprofen), or a prescription painkiller if necessary
• Splints or braces to keep the finger immobilized

Don’t lift a finger

It’s important to care for your injured finger to ensure that you heal properly. Be sure to follow all the instructions from your clinician, and take it easy! You’ll be back to giving peace signs and using touch screens in no time.

If you have a finger injury and believe it requires medical attention, visit your local vybe urgent care. We can help you feel better with x-rays, splints, and braces.

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