#WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU JAM YOUR THUMB FULL#
If symptoms persist or worsen, or if full mobility does not return to your jammed finger within one to two weeks, then get a referral to an orthopedic surgeon. An MRI may be needed to better see the condition of tendons, ligaments, and cartilage in and around your injured finger.Keep in mind that small hairline fractures don't usually show up on x-rays until the swelling goes away.You doctor can take x-rays of your hand and check for evidence of fractures and other disease conditions that can cause pain, such as osteoarthritis (the wear and tear type), osteoporosis (brittle bones), or bone infection.
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X Research source If your finger is broken, then your doctor will usually fasten a metal splint to it with instructions to keep it on for a few weeks. Avulsion fractures occur when a sprained ligament tears a piece of bone from its attachment site. Instead of a jammed finger, you might have a small hairline or stress fracture in the long bones of your finger, or an avulsion fracture closer to the joint. If rest, immobilization, and other home remedies aren't effective for reducing the pain, swelling, or stiffness in your injured finger after a week, then make an appointment with your doctor. The cream or gel will absorb locally and eliminate the risk of any stomach problems.Ĭonsult with your family physician. As an alternative to taking any pills, consider applying an anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving cream or gel to your jammed finger joint.If you don't have access to any NSAIDs, then taking painkillers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be helpful for a jammed finger also, but painkillers don't reduce inflammation.Aspirin should not be given to children under 18, due to the risk of Reye's syndrome, whereas ibuprofen is not appropriate for infants under six months.To reduce the risk of stomach irritation and/or ulcers, it's best not to take NSAIDs on an empty stomach. Keep in mind that NSAIDs and other pain relievers are usually intended for short-term use only (less than 2 weeks) due to harmful side effects on the stomach, liver, and kidneys. X Research source NSAIDs help control your body's inflammation cascade, which reduces swelling and pain. Another effective way of combating inflammation and pain in your jammed finger is to take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). Take anti-inflammatory medication short-term. A mildly jammed finger is typically categorized as a Grade I sprain, which means that the ligaments are stretched a little too far, but not torn.
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A jammed finger usually involves damage to the ligaments surrounding the finger joints and reduced movement in the affected joint due to compaction.However, if you have severe symptoms of pain, numbness, weakness, swelling, or bruising of your finger, see your doctor right away.If not, then rest and home care are warranted instead. As such, if your finger is really hurting and it's bent at an unnatural angle or is very swollen or bruised, then seek medical attention as soon as you can. X Research source The tell-tale sign of a dislocated or badly fractured finger is some degree of crookedness a moderate amount of swelling or bruising can also be signs of a fracture. A jammed finger can often be very painful initially, but it's not nearly as serious of an injury compared to dislocated and fractured fingers. In other words, an injury may really hurt, but it's not always serious. The amount of pain felt from a musculoskeletal injury is not always positively correlated to the degree of seriousness.