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This article was co-written by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee is a licensed family physician practicing in Tennessee. She received her MSN from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
There are 8 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 2,739 times.
Medical professionals use finger splints to treat sprains, broken fingers, or dislocated fingers. It’s important to seek medical attention for an injured finger, but in some situations you’ll need a temporary splint and first aid before you can get help. Then, you need to follow your doctor’s instructions on how to care for the splint and injured finger.
Steps
Temporary splints and first aid
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Assess the wound and stop using the finger immediately. Do not use your fingers to do anything after being injured. Regardless of the cause of your finger injury, you need to stop what you are doing and examine the finger. Get medical help right away if your finger has any of the following: [1] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Numbness or inability to move
- Pain, especially in the bones above the joints
- Red streaks emanating from the wound
- Have been injured before?
- Broken or broken and bone visible
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Place your finger close to the splint or clean ice cream stick. If you have a mild sprain, you can splint your finger until you can see your doctor. Buy a brace at the pharmacy or use a stiff, straight object to make the brace. Select an object that is slightly longer than your finger. A tongue depressor or ice cream stick is suitable. Once you find the splint, place it close to the injured finger and hold it there. Do not squeeze your finger or press on the injured area. [2] X Research Source
- Remember to place the splint under the injured joint.
Tip : Another option is to tape the injured finger to the next toe. However, the two-finger joint taping method will not help keep the finger completely immobilized. It only helps to stay straight when the next toe is also straight. [3] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
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Wrap a band-aid above and below the injured point. Next, you will secure the splint to your finger by wrapping the band-aid around below the nail and above the knuckle close to the hand. Remember to wrap tightly but still loose enough for good blood circulation. [4] X Research Sources
- If you don’t have a band-aid, you can use plain duct tape.
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Apply ice to the injured finger to reduce pain and swelling. Wrap the ice pack in a cotton towel or paper towel and press it against the injured finger. Apply ice for 10-20 minutes, then remove the ice pack. Wait for the skin to return to normal temperature before continuing the application. This takes about 1-2 minutes. [5] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to Source
- If you don’t have an ice pack, you can use a bag of frozen corn or beans, just be sure to wrap it in a clean cloth or paper towel before applying.
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Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief. If your finger hurts, you can take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Medicines will help ease the pain. Use according to the manufacturer’s instructions for dosage and frequency of administration. [6] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to Source
- Note that the pain will begin to subside after 24-48 hours. If the pain does not get worse or does not improve, you should call your doctor.
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Keep your hands above heart level. You can help reduce swelling by raising your hand above heart level. Rest your hand on a pillow when sitting or lying down, or raise your hand near your shoulder when standing. [7] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
Seek medical attention
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See your doctor to have your injured finger examined as soon as possible. If your finger is sprained or broken, call your doctor or go to the emergency room for treatment. The doctor will evaluate the injured finger and place a splint appropriate to the location and type of injury. Your doctor may also reshape your finger before placing the splint, but you’ll be numbed with your finger first. [8] X Trusted Source American Academy of Family Physicians Go to Source
- Treat a sprain or broken finger as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of the injury, the finger can take three to four months to heal. But delaying treatment can slow healing and lead to other complications, such as dermatitis.
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X-ray to determine the type of wound. Your doctor will order an X-ray to see if your finger is broken, dislocated, or sprained. Based on that, they can determine the most effective type of brace and know if bone repositioning is necessary before the brace is placed. [9] X Trusted Source American Academy of Family Physicians Go to Source
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Let the doctor put a splint on the injured finger. After reading the X-ray film, the doctor can determine the most effective type of brace and place the brace. There are different types of splints, and your doctor will choose the most suitable one depending on the location and type of the wound. Some types of braces include: [10] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to source
- Finger splints for extensor tendon rupture to treat fingers that cannot be straightened [11] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to source
- U-shaped aluminum splint for the treatment of distal finger fractures
- Dorsal extensor splints for the treatment of dislocations [12] X Trusted Source American Academy of Family Physicians Go to source
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Get a tetanus shot and antibiotics if your finger is broken. If your finger is broken, your doctor will usually recommend a tetanus shot. You may also be prescribed topical or oral antibiotics by your doctor to prevent skin infections. [13] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
Tip : A tetanus shot may not be necessary if you have had a booster shot within the last 5 years. Be sure to let your doctor know when you had your tetanus booster shot.
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Discuss surgical options with your doctor in the event of a serious finger injury. A severely injured finger may not heal properly without surgery. Talk to your doctor about treatment options if they recommend surgery. However, keep in mind that this method is not common. Most finger injuries heal well with splinting within 4-8 weeks. [14] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
Finger splint care
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Cover the splint with plastic wrap when showering. It is important that you keep the finger brace clean and dry. Wrap your whole hand in a plastic bag every time you shower and use an elastic band to secure it around your wrist. Use your other hand to bathe and try to avoid letting water get into the plastic bag. [15] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to Source
- Remove the condom immediately after bathing and dry your hands and splint if necessary.
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Wear the brace for the right time as advised by your doctor. It can take up to 8 weeks for the finger to heal, depending on the severity of the injury. You will need to wear a finger splint day and night until your doctor gives you permission to remove the splint. If you don’t wear the splint as directed, the wound may take longer to heal or recur. [16] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to Source
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Check your finger daily to make sure the blood is still circulating well. If you notice a different color on your finger or feel numbness, stinging, or pain, the splint is probably too tight. Remove the splint by cutting the bandage and contact your doctor as soon as possible. [17] X Trusted Source MedlinePlus Go to Source
Tip : A simple way to check blood circulation is to squeeze the tip of your finger. Squeeze gently for 3 seconds and release. Observe the color of the finger changing from white to pink. If the finger doesn’t change color right away, the splint is probably too tight.
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See your doctor if the splint causes discomfort. Never try to cut the splint yourself. If you feel discomfort with your splint, or if rough edges rub against your skin, call your doctor to schedule an appointment. Your doctor may trim or adjust the splint to make it more comfortable for you. [18] X Research Sources
Warning
- Don’t try to fix a broken, sprained, or dislocated finger at home.
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This article was co-written by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS. Luba Lee is a licensed family physician practicing in Tennessee. She received her MSN from the University of Tennessee in 2006.
There are 8 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 2,739 times.
Medical professionals use finger splints to treat sprains, broken fingers, or dislocated fingers. It’s important to seek medical attention for an injured finger, but in some situations you’ll need a temporary splint and first aid before you can get help. Then, you need to follow your doctor’s instructions on how to care for the splint and injured finger.
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