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Rehabilitation
for a finger sprain
Exercises for a finger sprain
How long will the effects of the injury last?
When can I return to my sport or activity?
Read more about finger
sprains
Rehabilitation
for a finger sprain
As an athlete, your number one concern is getting back to full strength
as soon as possible so that you can return to training and competition.
That is why appropriate rehabilitation is extremely important. Rehabilitation
for a finger sprain often includes the following:
- Rest
Avoid using the inured finger.
- Ice
Apply ice or a cold pack to your finger for 15-20 minutes, 4 times a
day until swelling and pain are gone. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a
towel. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin.
- Compression
Wrap an elastic compression bandage around the finger to limit swelling.
- Elevation
Keep the injured finger raised above the level of your heart for 48
hours (such as up on a pillow). This will help drain fluid and reduce
swelling.
- Medication
Use anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen to reduce inflammation
and speed up recovery.
Exercises for a
finger sprain
Rehabilitation for a finger sprain is a matter of following prescribed
treatment until symptoms disappear. However, the following exercises may
aid in restoring strength and range of motion to the injured hand, especially
in cases where immobilization of the injured finger is required.
- Ball squeeze
Place a tennis ball or equivalent in the palm of the injured hand and
squeeze as forcefully as pain permits for five seconds. Slowly relax
the hand. Rest for five seconds. Repeat 10 times at least three times
a day. Generally, the more often the sequence can be repeated in a day,
the better. From day to day, pain should subside until the point where
the exercise can be done without pain.
- Finger extension
Place hand, palm forward, on a wall or other flat surface. Press the
palm toward the flat surface as fully as pain permits and hold for five
seconds. Return to starting position and rest for five seconds. Repeat
this sequence 10 times at least three times a day. Generally, the more
often the sequence can be repeated in a day, the better. From day to
day, pain should subside until the point where the exercise can be done
without pain.
How long will the
effects of the injury last?
As long as the injury does not include a broken bone or dislocation; pain,
swelling, and inflammation usually are gone or significantly reduced within
three to five days. If there is a broken bone, you may need to wear a
splint or cast for three to six weeks; even after this period there may
be some pain or swelling, which may persist for weeks.
When can I return
to my sport or activity?
The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or activity
as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your
injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Return to your activity
is determined by how soon your finger sprain recovers and full range of
motion is restored, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your
injury occurred.
Usually, with the
injured finger taped to an adjacent uninjured finger, you may return to
play within minutes of sustaining a mild finger sprain - as long as pain
permits.
With severe sprains,
pain and swelling may last two or more days, despite proper treatment.
If the finger is broken, it may take a month or more to return to competition,
depending on the severity of the disruption of the joint.
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