How to Tape a Jammed Finger

A “jammed” finger is a term for an injury to the proximal interphalangel, PIP, bone of the finger. This type of injury can be very painful and can occur as the result of a fall or a sudden contact with another person or sporting equipment during a game or match. According to eMedicine, jammed fingers occur most often to players participating in ball handling sports, such as basketball.
A process called buddy taping, which involves immobilizing the jammed finger by securing it to an adjacent finger, can help expedite the healing process.

Things You'll Need

• Non-stretch sports tape
• Gauze

Instructions

1. Cut two, eight inch pieces of non-stretch sports tape.

2. Hold the injured finger next to an adjacent finger. Allow the fingers to bend slightly for comfort.

3. Cut a small piece of gauze and place it gently between the two fingers.

4. Secure the two fingers together with the non-stretch sports tape the wrapping the tape around both fingers, one piece of tape above the other.

5. Apply a cold pack to the injured finger for 20 minutes. This will help reduce the swelling, which will alleviate some of the pain associated with the jammed finger.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid wrapping the fingers too tightly. If the tips of the fingers turn blue or if the patient experiencing numbness in the fingers, the fingers may need to be taped together more loosely.

• The jammed finger will generally be buddy taped for two to four weeks before completely healing.

References

• MSN: Home Treatment
• PhysioAdvisor: Finger Taping
• eMedicine: Jammed Finger