Have you ever been playing around and accidentally jammed your finger? You may have experienced a finger sprain– a common injury that causes a moderate amount of pain and swelling. When you sustain an injury to any part of your hand, it can significantly impact your ability to perform basic tasks. A finger sprain occurs when the ligaments that support your finger become stretched or torn. This blog will explore the signs that you have a finger sprain and when to seek medical attention.

For same-day acute injury care, visit the walk-in clinic at AFC Urgent Care Stoneham. Our medical providers will be able to detect whether your finger is simply bruised, sprained, or even fractured. Walk into the clinic or schedule online today!

Signs and Symptoms of a Sprained Finger

A sprained finger is a common injury that can occur when your finger is bent in the wrong direction. Hyperextension is a result of your finger bending backwards. This could happen while participating in sports that involve your hands, like tennis or basketball. When athletes accidentally bend or jam their finger, a sprain can occur.

If you have a sprained finger, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Stiffness
• Limited motion
• Tenderness

Sprained Finger Diagnosis and Treatment Options

It may be important to seek proper medical attention if you’ve sustained an injury to your finger. Sprains can be hard to self-diagnose, so it’s best to visit a medical provider for a professional opinion. If your finger pain lingers for days, or worsens overtime, there’s a chance you have actually fractured or broken your finger. Visiting an urgent care center is a great option for quick and affordable care. A provider can even use digital x-rays to get a clearer image of your injury, and provide treatment recommendations based on the findings.

Sprained fingers are commonly healed using the RICE method. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. If you sprained your finger playing sports or during a high-impact activity, be sure to take a break and allow your body to rest and recover. Additionally, it’s important to ice the affected area for 15 minutes at a time in order to reduce swelling and inflammation. Finally, you can compress your finger with controlled pressure and keep your hand elevated to further reduce swelling.

Visit AFC Urgent Care Stoneham For Sprains, Strains, and Acute Injuries

If you suspect that you have sprained your finger, visit AFC Urgent Care Stoneham today! Our healthcare providers are able to diagnose and treat a variety of injuries– including broken or fractured bones, sprains and strains, cuts and scrapes, and joint dislocations. The clinic is open seven days a week and operates on a walk-in basis.

If you have any further questions about sprained fingers, please call us at (781) 279-4000 to speak directly with our team.