Is it possible to sprain a knuckle

Coldwater immersion can easily be accomplished with the use of a large cup, water, and the addition of some ice. An athlete with a second-degree sprain should have the finger splinted by either buddy taping the injured finger to the adjacent finger or by utilizing an aluminum splint. The finger should be splinted so that the injured joint and adjacent bones are immobilized.

Aluminum splints can be custom cut to fit and bent to accommodate most finger injuries. Because there is more tissue damaged in a second-degree sprain, the finger will swell more and may have some discoloration. As in a first-degree sprain, the athlete should utilize the P. E Principle for the first hours. As the swelling begins to diminish, the athlete can begin gentle range of motion exercises to begin to regain the flexibility of the finger.

This can be accomplished using a number of different items including a tennis ball , racquetball , or rolled sock. This exercise increases both the range of motion of the joint plus the strength of the muscles in and around the injured joint. The athlete gradually squeezes the ball and then relaxes. This can be performed ten times every hour. Care should be taken for the athlete not to squeeze so hard that it causes pain.

As the ligament and tissue heal, the athlete can gradually increase the intensity of the grip on the ball. An athlete with a third-degree sprain should be seen by a sports medicine physician and may need to have the injury surgically repaired.

Hundreds of athletes sustain acute injuries every day, which can be treated safely at home using the P. But if there are signs or symptoms of a serious injury, emergency first aid should be provided while keeping the athlete calm and still until emergency service personnel arrive.

Signs of an emergency situation when you should seek care and doctor treatment can include:. In addition, an athlete should seek medical care if acute symptoms do not go away after rest and home treatment using the P. E principle. Because long term swelling is fairly common in sprained fingers, gaining full flexibility can take a long time.

In some cases, the joint can look swollen for up to one year post-injury. Most athletes return fairly quickly to sport after a sprained finger, but will utilize a buddy tape job to protect the finger from further injury. It allows you to quickly and conveniently speak with a sports doctor or specialist and have an effective alternative to emergency room, urgent care, or waiting for a doctors appointment. Apply an ice pack or compress wrapped in a cloth to the injured finger. Do not expose the skin directly to ice and do not keep the ice on the finger for more than 15 minutes at one time.

If the finger becomes more painful, swollen, or darker in color, a person should stop using the ice immediately.

Ice packs are available for purchase online. Icing injuries for too long can increase inflammation and potentially freeze and damage tissues. Take a minute break between icing sessions and repeat hourly or several times daily. Gently wrap the finger with a small elastic bandage , finger compress bandage , or sports tape , all of which are available to purchase online.

Wrap the bandage just tight enough to apply light pressure to the finger. Do not wrap too tightly, as the bandage could act as a tourniquet and limit the circulation.

Remove the bandage after the first 24 to 48 hours, or when the inflammation has begun to reduce significantly. Once the compression bandage has been removed, the finger should be buddy taped. Keep the finger elevated, or raised at a level above the heart. Use a sling to keep the finger raised while standing or walking.

While sitting or sleeping, use a pillow to prop up the injured finger. Especially in the first few days after the sprain occurs, over-the-counter pain and anti-inflammation medications, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, aspirin , and naproxen, can help make symptoms more manageable. Take all medications as prescribed. If a person wants to take medication for an extended period, they must talk to a doctor first.

Mild to moderate strains respond well to buddy taping — using first aid tape to bind the injured finger to a healthy finger next to it. Buddy taping the injured finger protects it from further injury and encourages it to straighten as it heals. To understand finger injuries and when you need to treat them, it is important to be familiar with the basic anatomy of the finger. The finger has three joints: the metacarpal phalangeal joint MCP joint or big knuckle, the proximal interphalangeal joint PIP joint or the middle knuckle, and the distal interphalangeal joint DIP joint or the small knuckle at the tip of the finger.

Each joint has ligaments on the sides, called collateral ligaments, that are often injured when fingers are hit from the side or landed on, and on the palm side, which get injured with hyperextension of the fingers. After an injury, there will be pain, swelling and often stiffness or difficulty moving the finger.

With minor injuries, typically the finger can be treated with RICE principles rest, ice, compression and elevation. NYU Langone doctors are experienced in diagnosing and managing both types of injuries.

A hand sprain is an injury to a ligament, the strong tissue that connects bones. In a hand sprain, the ligament has been stretched or torn. This commonly occurs when a person falls on his or her outstretched hand. Sprains often occur in the ligaments of the proximal interphalangeal joints in the middle of the fingers—hinge joints that help the fingers bend. A hand strain is a stretching or tearing of fibers in muscles or tendons, the tissue that anchors muscle to bone.

Strains often occur in tendons that connect the muscles of the forearm to bones in the fingers. These tendons are used to either straighten or bend your fingers and thumb. Although many hand strains occur during sports, such as skiing, everyday activities can cause strains. People who spend a lot of time typing or working with their hands often develop strains. Hand sprains and strains are classified in degrees, depending on the severity of the injury.