Finger Sprains

Finger sprains are common and usually highly treatable, but that doesn’t mean they can’t cause a significant amount of pain and greatly impact your ability to perform everyday routines and tasks. Whether your injury occurred playing sports, falling onto an outstretched arm, experiencing a high-impact event, hitting a stationary object with your hand, or getting your finger accidentally caught or pulled, it’s essential to have it assessed by a medical professional if pain, swelling, or stiffness is severe or doesn’t improve/resolve over time.

At Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey, our world-class team of doctors expertly treats finger sprains ranging from mild to severe. From a thorough and accurate diagnosis process to a personalized treatment approach that keeps the specifics of your symptoms and health goals top of mind, we take great pride in working closely with our patients to achieve outstanding outcomes and restore your quality of life.

To book a finger injury consultation that will enable you to reduce pain and regain full strength and range of motion, contact our office today!

Anatomy Of A Finger Sprain

The fingers are delicate and complex structures that allow us to perform a vast array of different movements and tasks. From brushing your teeth in the morning to typing, driving, or engaging in high-performance athletic activities, they are essential to almost everything we do.

When a finger injury occurs, bands of connective tissue called ligaments may become damaged. Ligaments connect bones and help to support joints. When they are stretched or torn, this is known as a finger sprain.

Finger sprains are categorized into three grades, depending on their severity:

• Grade 1 – In a Grade 1 sprain, ligaments are stretched but not torn.
• Grade 2 – In a Grade 2 sprain, ligaments are partially torn and there is a greater chance that bones may shift or move.
• Grade 3 – In a Grade 3 sprain, one or more ligaments are completely torn and there is a high likelihood of instability due to bones shifting or moving out of place.

Signs & Symptoms

The signs of a finger sprain may vary according to the type and severity of the injury. Common symptoms include:

• Pain and tenderness, especially when using the affected finger
• Swelling and/or bruising
• Warmth and redness in the affected finger
• Stiffness and/or limited range of motion
• A popping or tearing feeling at the time of injury

At Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey, our doctors will take careful note of your symptoms and perform a physical examination of your finger before suggesting the next steps. If better visualization of the affected area is required to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms and/or confirm a suspected finger sprain diagnosis, diagnostic imaging tests such as an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI may also be recommended.

Treatment

Milder finger sprains often respond well to conservative treatment approaches such as rest, ice, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications. If pain and swelling are persistent, our team may also suggest physical therapy and/or corticosteroid injections.

If your finger sprain is severe, a surgical treatment approach may be recommended to repair or reconstruct torn ligaments. Occasionally, a joint fusion procedure may restore stability to a badly damaged finger joint.

Book your appointment at Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey today to receive proper treatment for finger pain and regain full strength and dexterity. We look forward to working with you!