Jammed Fingers
Introduction:
Jammed fingers are an injury that many basketball players know all too well. However, jammed fingers are a common occurrence that most of us have experienced, athletes or not. What happens when you jam your finger? How can you tell the difference between a jammed and broken finger? Let’s explore these questions and more in this article.
What is a jammed finger?
A jammed finger, also known as a sprained finger, is a stretch or tear in the soft tissues of your finger. Like all sprains, jammed fingers affect your ligaments, and soft tissues that help with mobility. They are usually not serious injuries; most jammed fingers heal in 1-2 weeks.
There are three different grades for jammed fingers, indicating the level of severity.
Grade 1: stretches/micro-tears in the ligament, stable joints
Grade 2: partial tears in the ligament, mild joint instability
Grade 3: complete tear in ligament, major joint instability
Stable joints mean your bone is not likely to move out of place. However, with a grade 3 jammed finger, your joint is very unstable and cannot keep your bone in position. Sometimes, the damage caused can be so severe that it causes a dislocation. This occurs when the finger bone moves from its original position and is no longer in alignment.
Causes:
Jammed fingers are a common injury in sports like basketball, volleyball, and football. In these sports, athletes could bend, twist, or hit their fingers against the ball and cause a ligament tear.
Here are some possible ways you could jam your finger:
Catching the ball wrong in a sport/activity
Hitting your fingers on a solid object
Pressure on your finger that pushes it toward your hand
Bending your finger too far backward or the wrong way
Falling on your hand
Twisting your fingers the wrong way
Symptoms
Swollen joints
Finger turns red, purple, or darker than your natural skin tone
Pain with movement
Soreness
Stiffness
Tenderness
Jammed finger or broken finger?
While sharing many of the same symptoms, the main difference between a jammed finger and a broken finger is that jammed fingers involve tearing or stretching of soft tissue and broken fingers involve injuries to the bone.
A broken finger requires immediate medical attention. Along with swelling, stiffness, and tenderness, broken fingers can also cause bruising, severe pain, loss of finger mobility, and an irregular or deformed shape to your finger.
If your healthcare provider is not sure about the diagnosis, an X-ray or MRI might be used to determine whether you have a strain or a fracture. These are usually not necessary with mild sprains.
Treatment:
Like other sprains, jammed fingers can be treated using the RICE method. RICE stands for:
Rest: let your finger rest if possible, taking a break from the activity that injured it
Ice: put ice in a plastic bag or towel and ice your finger for 15-20 minutes at a time, especially in the first 24 hours.
Compression: wrap the injured area gently with a compression bandage, make sure it isn’t too tight.
Elevation: elevate your hand above your heart, especially within the first 24-72 hours (overnight if possible).
If your symptoms don’t improve within the first 24-48 hours after using the RICE method, you should see a healthcare provider. Depending on the severity of the sprain, treatment may include:
Buddy taping: using a supportive wrap to tape the injured finger to the neighboring finger, increases stability
Splinting: a plastic splint or finger brace can help to keep the finger straight while it heals
Surgery: further evaluation and MRI are usually needed before you get surgery
Prevention:
Preventing jammed fingers can be difficult as they happen spontaneously. In general, being attentive and careful during activity can reduce the risk of falls or other actions that can result in a finger sprain.
Sources:
“Getting a Grip on Jammed Fingers.” Hennepin Healthcare, 10 Jan. 2024, www.hennepinhealthcare.org/blog/getting-a-grip-on-jammed-fingers/.
“Jammed Finger (Sprained Finger).” Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21794-jammed-finger-sprained-finger. Accessed 14 Jan. 2024.
“Jammed Finger: Symptoms and Treatment.” Handcare, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, www.assh.org/handcare/condition/jammed-finger. Accessed 14 Jan. 2024.