About Jammed Fingers

There are few things more essentially aggravating than jammed fingers. They hurt and make even the simplest tasks complex, but can seldom be treated in a way that accelerates their healing. Fortunately, while a jammed finger will seldom warrant a cast, you can comfort yourself with the knowledge that you understand what is going on inside your finger as it heals.

Function

A jam is generally caused by an "end-on" impact, which means that the tip of the finger was forced abruptly into something. This usually causes the finger to bend back in an unnatural position and become extremely sore. The joints in the finger will also swell and bruise.

Identification

Generally, jammed fingers are painful from the start. They quickly swell--particularly around the joints--and may turn dark blue or purple as the bruise forms. A jammed finger may tingle as if it is "asleep" or hot around the joints and at the point of impact.

Types

Jammed fingers are all pretty much the same: joints that have been forcefully crushed together because something smashed into the tip of the finger. However, they vary greatly in severity. You can jam one finger knuckle, which is painful enough, or both, which can be excruciating. Jammed fingers can also be the result of crushed knuckles that have been impacted from both sides of the finger rather than just the front.

Time Frame

A jammed finger may not seem like a big deal at first, but it takes some time to heal. For the first 3 to 5 days you will probably not be able to bend or move the finger because of the swelling. Once your finger regains some mobility, you can resume physical activity, but the odds are very good that you will hurt the finger again. In most cases, the finger will not fully heal for several weeks, although you will find that your range of motion will increase nearly every day once the swelling goes down.

Prevention/Solution

It is nearly impossible to prevent jammed fingers because it is so easy to bend them in the wrong direction when playing sports, playing with children or just playing around. Ice the jammed finger immediately to help limit the swelling in the joints. If the hit was particularly hard, you may need to see a doctor to have your finger X-rayed for signs of breaks or fractures, and if so, the doctor will put in a splint.

Warning

If you suspect that your finger is not jammed but rather broken, sprained or fractured, consult a doctor immediately. While jams and other finger injuries are often not serious, if you do not treat them correctly, they can affect your coordination and ability to play sports in the future. Inflamed joints can also become infected if they are not properly cared for, so proceed with caution whenever you suspect any kind of injury to your fingers.

Resources

• Ways to treat--and not to treat--jammed fingers.