One of the most common sports injuries is a jammed finger or injury to the proximal interphalangeal or PIP joint. You can get a jammed finger for many reasons other than sports, but the pain is still the same-;substantial. Here are some tips from Aspire Pain Medical Center for how to take care of jammed finger.
Remember RICE
To best remember how to treat a jammed finger, simply remember the word RICE, which is short for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Stop doing work or play to give the finger a chance to rest. Put an ice bag or cold pack on the finger for ten to fifteen minutes. You can ice the finger periodically throughout the day. Do not place ice directly on the finger’s skin as this can cause dangerous cold burns. Tape the injured finger nest to a normal finger to help keep the finger still, which minimizes the chances of deformity and helps to reduce the pain. Elevate the hand when necessary, such as when you’re sleeping. Try to use the hand as little as possible for the next two days.
Pain Medications
In most cases of a jammed finger, an over-the-counter painkiller like naproxen or ibuprofen helps to greatly reduce both pain and swelling. Take the medications with food or a glass of milk if the instructions say so or if your stomach is upset after the injury. You need to go to a doctor if you need stronger painkillers in pill or topical form. Usually, the pain begins to subside after ten or twenty minutes, If the pain increases, the finger could be fractured. The best of Health Solutions is to go to the emergency room to get pain killers, x-rays, and splinting.
Do Not Ignore the Injury
Jammed fingers or jammed finger tips need to be treated right away. The longer you wait to administer first aid, the more likely complications will set in. If you do treat the finger right away and additional symptoms appear, go to a doctor for Health Solutions right away. If the finger is still badly swollen several days after injury, the finger does not begin to return to normal coloration after a few days, and pain so severe that you cannot tolerate it, get medical attention. You can connect with them on Facebook for more updates!
