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Medical professionals use finger splints to treat sprains, broken fingers, or finger dislocations. Seeking medical attention for an injured finger is essential, but in certain cases, you'll need to apply a temporary splint and provide first aid before getting help. Afterward, it's important to follow your doctor's advice on caring for both the splint and the injured finger.
Steps
Apply a temporary splint and provide first aid
Assess the injury and immediately stop using the finger. Do not use the injured finger for any activity after the injury. Regardless of the cause of the injury, stop whatever you're doing and examine your finger. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Numbness or inability to move
- Severe pain, especially around the bone at the joints
- Red streaks spreading from the wound
- Previous injuries to the area
- Visible fractures or bone exposure
Position the finger close to the splint or a clean popsicle stick. If it's a mild sprain, you can splint the finger until you can see a doctor. You can buy a splint at the pharmacy or use a rigid, straight object as a makeshift splint. Choose something slightly longer than your finger, such as a tongue depressor or popsicle stick. Once you have your splint, place it snugly underneath the injured finger and hold it in place. Avoid pressing on the injury or squeezing the finger.
- Ensure the splint is placed below the injured joint.
Tip: Another option is to bandage the injured finger to the neighboring one. However, this method won’t fully immobilize the injured finger. It will only help keep it straight if the adjacent finger is also straight.
Wrap adhesive bandage around the injury site above and below the injury. Next, secure the splint to the finger by wrapping the bandage around the base of the nail and just above the joint closest to the hand. Be sure to wrap it snugly, but not so tight that it cuts off circulation.
- If you don’t have an adhesive bandage, you can use regular tape.
Apply ice to the injured finger to reduce pain and swelling. Wrap an ice pack in a cloth or paper towel and gently press it against the injured finger. Ice it for about 10-20 minutes, then remove the ice pack. Wait for the skin to return to normal temperature before reapplying. This usually takes 1-2 minutes.
- If you don’t have an ice pack, you can use frozen corn or peas, but make sure to wrap them in a clean cloth or paper towel before applying.
Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen to relieve pain. If your finger hurts, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These will help alleviate the pain. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dosage and frequency.
- Note that pain should start to decrease after 24-48 hours. If the pain worsens or doesn’t improve, you should call your doctor.
Elevate your hand above the level of your heart. You can reduce swelling by keeping your hand elevated above the level of your heart. When sitting or lying down, place your hand on a pillow, or raise your hand close to your shoulder when standing.
Seek medical attention
Visit a doctor as soon as possible for an examination of your injured finger. If your finger is sprained or broken, call your doctor or go to the emergency room for treatment. The doctor will assess the injury and apply the appropriate splint based on the injury's position and type. The doctor may also need to realign the finger before applying the splint, but your finger will be numbed beforehand.
- The sooner you treat a sprain or fracture, the better. Depending on the severity, it may take 3-4 months for the finger to heal. However, delayed treatment may prolong healing and cause other complications, such as skin infections.
Get an X-ray to identify the type of injury. The doctor will likely order an X-ray to check if your finger is fractured, dislocated, or sprained. This will help determine the most effective type of splint and whether the bone needs to be realigned before applying the splint.
Allow the doctor to apply the splint to your injured finger. After reviewing the X-ray, the doctor will determine the best splint to use and apply it. There are various types of splints, and the doctor will choose the most appropriate one based on the injury's location and type. Some examples of splints include:
- Finger splint for tendon injuries to treat fingers that cannot straighten
- U-shaped aluminum splint for fractures of the distal phalanx
- Dorsal extension splint for dislocations
Tetanus vaccination and antibiotics if your finger is severed. If you happen to sever your finger, the doctor will likely recommend you receive a tetanus shot. You may also be prescribed topical or oral antibiotics to prevent skin infections.
Advice: A tetanus shot may not be necessary if you've received a booster within the past 5 years. Be sure to inform your doctor when you had your last tetanus booster.
Discuss surgical options with your doctor if the finger injury is severe. In cases of serious finger injuries, proper healing may require surgery. You should discuss treatment options with your doctor if surgery is recommended. However, keep in mind that this is not a common approach. Most finger injuries recover well with a splint for 4-8 weeks.
Finger splint care
Cover your splint with a plastic bag when bathing. It is crucial to keep your finger splint dry and clean. Each time you bathe, wrap your hand in a plastic bag and secure it tightly at the wrist using a rubber band. Use your other hand to bathe, and try to avoid getting water inside the plastic bag.
- Remove the plastic bag immediately after bathing and gently dry your hand and splint if needed.
Wear the splint as directed by your doctor. Healing your finger may take up to 8 weeks, depending on the severity of the injury. You must wear the splint day and night until your doctor allows you to remove it. Failure to follow the splinting instructions may delay healing or cause the injury to reoccur.
Check your finger daily to ensure proper blood circulation. If you notice unusual color changes or feel numbness, tingling, or pain, it may indicate that the splint is too tight. Remove the splint by cutting off any bandages and contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Tip: A simple method to check blood circulation is by gently pressing the tip of your finger. Press lightly for 3 seconds, then release. Watch as the color changes from white to pink. If the color doesn't return promptly, the splint might be too tight.
Visit your doctor if the splint causes discomfort. Never attempt to cut or modify the splint yourself. If the splint is uncomfortable, or if its edges are rough and irritating your skin, contact your doctor to schedule an appointment. They can trim or adjust the splint to improve comfort.
Warning
- Do not attempt to self-treat a broken, sprained, or dislocated finger at home.
