How do you treat a sprained pinky finger?

How do you treat a sprained pinky finger?

Management and Treatment

1. Rest: Let your finger rest, if possible.
2. Ice: Ice the injured area for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, especially within the first 24 hours.
3. Compression: Wrap an elastic compression bandage around the injured joint to support it and reduce swelling.

How long should a sprained finger take to heal?

What is the outlook? Typically, finger sprains heal well in patients who follow their rehabilitation program. Ligaments require from two to 10 weeks to heal. A small number of patients do experience complications such as re-injury, joint instability, arthritis, or inflammation where the ligament attaches to the bone.

Is my pinky finger broken or sprained?

Broken fingers often cause the same symptoms as sprained fingers, though they tend to be more severe or exaggerated. A broken finger may also appear disfigured, out of alignment, or abnormally bent. And most broken fingers are nearly impossible to straighten, stretch, or use without extreme pain.

Should I wrap a sprained pinky finger?

Is it better to splint or tape a sprained finger? For mild and moderate finger sprains, buddy tape should be sufficient to help your ligaments heal. Some moderate injuries, though, benefit from being splinted, which will make the finger completely immobile.

Do finger sprains heal on their own?

Most finger sprains are relatively minor and heal on their own with symptomatic care, including RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) buddy taping, splinting, and time. More severe or unstable finger collateral ligament sprains or those associated with fractures may require surgery to stabilize the injury.

Can you put heat on a sprained finger?

Heat Treatment and Cold Treatment. Applying a heat treatment or cold treatment is a common method for treating injuries, stiffness, swelling and pain. When used for fingers, hands and wrists, it can be very helpful for: Recent injuries (bruises or fractures) or chronic injuries.

How do you wrap a broken pinky finger?

To buddy tape a finger or toe:

1. If you have broken skin, clean the affected area using alcohol or antiseptic wipes.
2. Dry your skin thoroughly and place the padding between your fingers or toes.
3. Starting at the base, wrap the tape around the digits.
4. Wrap the tape around two to three times.

How do you splint a pinky finger?

Find a stiff object for splinting the finger, such as a popsicle stick or tongue depressor. Locate some medical tape to secure the splint to the injured finger. Place the stick against the entire finger (especially across the sprained joint) and secure it with 2 to 3 strips of tape.

How do I know if my finger is sprained?

If your finger is sprained, you might have:

1. Pain in one of your finger joints when you try to move or use it.
2. Stiffness in your finger or having a hard time straightening or bending it.
3. Tenderness in your joint when you touch the area.
4. Swelling in one of your finger joints.

How do you tell if you have fractured your finger?

Symptoms

1. Swelling of the fracture site.
2. Tenderness at the fracture site.
3. Bruising at the fracture site.
4. Inability to move the injured finger in completely.
5. Deformity of the injured finger.