Stretched ligament in finger. Sprained Finger: Symptoms, Treatments, and Recovery Guide

13.04.202309.06.2023 by alexxlab

What are the symptoms of a sprained finger. How can you treat a sprained finger at home. When should you see a doctor for a sprained finger. What are the different grades of finger sprains. How long does it take for a sprained finger to heal.

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Understanding Finger Sprains: Causes and Types

A sprained finger occurs when the ligaments connecting the finger joints are stretched or torn. While common among athletes, particularly in sports involving ball-catching or throwing, anyone can experience a finger sprain through everyday activities. Let’s delve into the causes and types of finger sprains to better understand this injury.

What Causes a Sprained Finger?

Finger sprains typically result from physical impact to the finger. The most common scenario involves a blow to the fingertip, which sends a shockwave up to the joint, causing hyperextension. This sudden force stretches or tears the ligaments, leading to a sprain. Common causes include:

Sports injuries (especially in basketball)
Accidental impacts during daily activities
Breaking a fall with outstretched hands
Hitting the finger against a hard surface

Grades of Finger Sprains

Finger sprains are classified into three grades, each with increasing severity:

First-degree sprain: The mildest form, involving stretched but not torn ligaments.
Second-degree sprain: A moderate sprain with partial tearing of ligaments and possible joint capsule damage.
Third-degree sprain: The most severe, indicating a complete tear or rupture of the ligament.

Recognizing Symptoms of a Sprained Finger

Identifying the symptoms of a sprained finger is crucial for proper treatment and recovery. The severity of symptoms often correlates with the grade of the sprain.

First-Degree Sprain Symptoms

First-degree sprains present with milder symptoms, including:

Localized pain and swelling around the affected joint
Slight restriction in finger flexion or extension
Minimal impact on finger strength and stability

Second-Degree Sprain Symptoms

Second-degree sprains exhibit more pronounced symptoms:

Intensified pain in the affected area
Significant swelling, potentially extending to the entire finger
Limited range of motion affecting the whole finger
Mild joint instability

Third-Degree Sprain Symptoms

The most severe sprains present with the following symptoms:

Partial or complete finger dislocation
Severe pain and extensive swelling
Significant instability of the entire finger
Noticeable discoloration of the affected finger

Home Treatments for Sprained Fingers

For mild to moderate finger sprains, home treatments can be effective in promoting healing and reducing discomfort. The RICE method is a widely recommended approach for managing sprains.

The RICE Method

RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Here’s how to apply this method:

Rest: Avoid using the affected finger to prevent further damage.
Ice: Apply ice packs for 20 minutes at a time, with breaks in between. Never apply ice directly to the skin; always wrap it in a towel.
Compression: Gently wrap the affected joint to reduce swelling.
Elevation: Keep the hand elevated, especially during sleep, to minimize swelling.

Pain Management

Over-the-counter pain relievers can help manage discomfort associated with finger sprains. Options include:

Ibuprofen (Advil)
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Take these medications as directed, typically every eight hours, to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.

When to Seek Medical Attention for a Sprained Finger

While many finger sprains can be managed at home, certain situations warrant professional medical attention. Understanding when to consult a doctor is crucial for proper healing and preventing long-term complications.

Signs You Should See a Doctor

Consider seeking medical attention if:

Home treatment hasn’t improved symptoms after 3-4 days
You suspect a second- or third-degree sprain
There’s significant swelling, discoloration, or deformity
You’re unable to move the finger or bear any weight on it
You hear a popping sound at the time of injury

What to Expect During a Medical Examination

When you visit a doctor for a suspected finger sprain, they will likely:

Inspect the affected joint visually
Ask you to flex and extend your finger to assess mobility and function
Order an X-ray to rule out fractures and evaluate ligament damage
Recommend appropriate treatment based on the severity of the sprain

Advanced Treatment Options for Severe Finger Sprains

In cases of severe finger sprains or when home treatments prove ineffective, medical professionals may recommend more advanced treatment options to ensure proper healing and restore finger function.

Immobilization Techniques

For moderate to severe sprains, doctors often employ immobilization techniques to promote healing:

Splinting: A splint may be applied to immobilize the affected finger, ensuring it heals in the correct position.
Buddy taping: In some cases, taping the injured finger to an adjacent healthy finger can provide support and limit movement.

Surgical Intervention

In rare cases involving severely torn ligaments, surgical repair may be necessary. This typically involves:

Repairing or reconstructing the damaged ligament
Stabilizing the affected joint
Addressing any associated injuries to surrounding tissues

Surgery is usually reserved for cases where conservative treatments have failed or when there’s significant joint instability.

Recovery and Rehabilitation for Sprained Fingers

Proper recovery and rehabilitation are essential for regaining full function of a sprained finger and preventing future injuries. The recovery process varies depending on the severity of the sprain but typically involves several key components.

Estimated Recovery Time

The time it takes for a sprained finger to heal can vary:

First-degree sprains: 2-4 weeks
Second-degree sprains: 4-6 weeks
Third-degree sprains: 6-8 weeks or longer, especially if surgery is required

Rehabilitation Exercises

As the sprain heals, gentle exercises can help restore strength and flexibility:

Finger flexion and extension: Slowly bend and straighten the affected finger.
Finger abduction and adduction: Spread your fingers apart and then bring them together.
Grip strengthening: Squeeze a soft stress ball or putty.
Wrist rotations: Gently rotate your wrist in both directions to improve overall hand mobility.

Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any rehabilitation exercises to ensure they’re appropriate for your specific injury.

Preventing Future Finger Sprains

While not all finger sprains can be prevented, there are several strategies you can employ to reduce your risk of experiencing this injury in the future. Implementing these preventive measures can help protect your fingers during sports and daily activities.

Protective Gear and Techniques

Consider the following preventive measures:

Proper taping: Learn how to tape your fingers correctly before engaging in high-risk activities.
Wear gloves: Use appropriate protective gloves during sports or activities that pose a risk to your fingers.
Strengthen hand muscles: Regular hand and finger exercises can improve overall strength and stability.
Proper technique: Learn and practice proper techniques for catching, throwing, or handling objects in your sport or activity.

Awareness and Caution

Developing situational awareness can help prevent accidental finger sprains:

Be mindful of your surroundings and potential hazards to your hands.
Avoid placing your hands in positions where they could be easily injured.
Use caution when participating in activities that involve rapid hand movements or potential impacts.

By implementing these preventive strategies and maintaining awareness, you can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing finger sprains in the future.

Symptoms, Home Treatments, and More

Sprained Finger: Symptoms, Home Treatments, and More

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Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. D. — By Ana Gotter — Updated on August 29, 2018

What is a sprain?

A sprain is an injury that occurs when ligaments are torn or stretched. Ligaments are the bands of tissue that connect joints together.

Sprains are extremely common injuries. While they are especially common in athletes that participate in sports involving catching or throwing balls, anyone can sprain a finger relatively easily.

General symptoms of sprains are pain, swelling, limited mobility, and bruising. There are three different grades of sprains. Each grade has its own specific version of these symptoms.

First-degree sprain

A first-degree sprain is the mildest. It involves ligaments that are stretched but not torn. Symptoms include:

some localized pain and swelling around the joint
a restriction in the ability to flex or extend the finger

The strength and stability of the finger and joint are not affected.

Second-degree sprain

A second-degree sprain is considered a moderate sprain, where more damage is done to the ligament. Damage may be done to the joint capsule, too. This may include a partial tear of the tissue. Symptoms include:

more intense pain
more significant swelling, which may extend to the full finger
limited range of motion that may affect the entire finger, not just one joint
mild instability of a joint

Third-degree sprain

A third-degree sprain is the most severe type of sprain. It indicates a severe tearing or rupture of the ligament. Symptoms may include:

full or partial dislocation of the finger
severe pain and swelling
instability of the full finger
discoloration of the finger

Sprained fingers are caused by physical impact to the finger. In most cases, sprains are caused by a blow to the end of a finger, which reverberates up to the joint and causes it to become hyperextended. This stretches or tears the ligaments.

Sports injuries are extremely common causes of sprained fingers. This is especially true for sports like basketball. If the player just barely misses the ball with the tips of their fingers, they could sprain them. That being said, anyone could sprain a finger just by hitting it the wrong way on the counter or breaking a fall.

If you think that you have a mild sprain, there’s no need to see a doctor at first. If home treatment hasn’t helped and you have no improved mobility after three or four days, though, make an appointment just to double check.

Second- and third-degree sprains may require the attention of a doctor. They’ll inspect the joint and ask you to flex and extend your finger so they can evaluate its function and mobility. They may order an X-ray to check for fractures and evaluate the extent of the damage.

To treat a sprained finger at home, RICE is the first step you’ll take. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. You’ll need to rest the joint and apply ice packs on (and then off) for 20 minutes at a time. Never apply ice directly to the skin; wrap the ice pack in a towel. You can also submerge the joint in cool water. The cold can help reduce swelling and pain.

Compress the affected joint by wrapping it, and keep it elevated. Compression and elevation both help to reduce swelling. Elevation is especially important at night.

In addition to RICE, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) every eight hours.

If the sprain is severe enough, your doctor might immobilize the finger with a splint, which can help ensure that it heals correctly. In rarer cases that include severely torn ligaments, your doctor may need to operate on the ligament to repair it.

After minor and even moderate sprains, you should be able to start carefully using the finger again, slowly increasing mobility. Mild and moderate sprains typically are fully healed within three to six weeks.

Sprains can be painful, but fortunately, they’re highly treatable. They’re also preventable. If you stretch before you exercise and build strength in the surrounding muscles, you’ll be less susceptible to sprains. You should also always use the appropriate protective gear when engaging in any type of sport or physical activity that requires it.

Last medically reviewed on June 14, 2017

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Finger sprains. (n.d.). http://www.bssh.ac.uk/patients/conditions/33/finger_sprains
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2015). Sprains and strains.
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sprains-and-strains/basics/prevention/con-20020958
Zeigler T. (n.d.). Sprained finger.
sportsmd.com/wrist-hand-injuries/sprained-finger/

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Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. — By Ana Gotter — Updated on August 29, 2018