Kristian Ferrell
Basketball players often experience finger injuries due to the ball or another player striking their finger and forcing it to bend back too far. This can result in a jammed finger, which is a common injury in sports that use balls, such as basketball, and can cause a sprain of the ligaments. A more severe injury is mallet finger, which is an injury to the tendon that straightens the end joint of the finger or thumb, resulting in an inability to actively straighten it. Treatment for finger injuries in basketball depends on the severity and can range from resting and icing the finger to wearing a splint or, in rare cases, surgery.
How to cure a bruised finger from playing basketball
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rest | Stop the activity that caused the injury and let your finger rest. |
| Ice | Ice the injured area for 15-20 minutes at a time, especially within the first 24 hours. |
| Compression | Gently wrap an elastic compression bandage around the injured joint to support it and reduce swelling. |
| Elevation | Elevate your injured hand above your heart to minimize swelling, especially within the first 24-72 hours. |
| Medication | Take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help relieve the pain. |
| Splint | A hand therapist will assess the finger and make a thermoplastic splint to hold the finger in the correct position for healing. |
| Surgery | In rare cases, surgery may be required. |
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What You'll Learn
Treat a jammed finger
A jammed finger is a common injury in basketball, often caused by a ball strike or a fall. It is usually a sprain to the joint or knuckle, but it can also be a small fracture or dislocation. The injury is typically not serious and will heal within a few weeks. However, if there is a fracture, pain may linger for months.
To treat a jammed finger, follow the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compress, and Elevate. Let your finger rest for a few days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the injury. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling, or discomfort, but don't avoid all physical activity. Apply ice to your finger for 10-20 minutes every 1-3 hours for the first few days or until the pain and swelling subside. Use an ice pack or wrap ice in a towel or plastic bag. You can also soak your finger in ice water. To help reduce swelling, compress the area with a gentle elastic bandage and elevate your hand above your heart, especially at night.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can help with pain relief. If your finger is severely painful, swollen, and/or stiff, or if it doesn't improve after a week, visit a healthcare provider. They may recommend X-rays to check for fractures or other complications.
If your jammed finger is not broken or dislocated, you can tape it to the adjacent finger ("buddy taping") to keep it from moving too much while it heals. Use medical-grade tape and consider placing gauze between the fingers to prevent blisters and moisture. A finger splint can also be used to keep the finger in the correct position for healing and prevent further injury. Physical therapy exercises can help strengthen the finger as it recovers.
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Treat a mallet finger
Mallet finger is a deformity of the finger caused when the tendon that straightens the finger is damaged. This injury can occur in basketball when the ball strikes the tip of an extended finger, forcing it to bend further than intended. It can also occur when the finger is traumatically forced into a bend.
First Aid
Before seeing a healthcare provider, you can treat the injury with some first aid. Start by sanitizing the injured finger, especially if it's bleeding or the nail has detached. Wrap the finger in sterile gauze, apply ice, and elevate it to reduce swelling. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers if needed. Additionally, you can make a temporary splint by carefully taping your injured finger to a tongue depressor or a clean popsicle stick.
Treatment
Mallet finger requires medical treatment to ensure the finger regains as much function as possible. Most doctors recommend seeking treatment within a week of the injury. Treatment typically involves splinting the finger to hold it in the correct position for healing. A hand therapist will assess the finger and create a custom thermoplastic splint. The splint is usually worn at all times until the tendon heals, which can take at least six to eight weeks. After removing the splint, finger exercises are necessary to relieve stiffness and restore flexibility.
In rare cases, surgery may be required if the injury is severe, such as a complicated fracture or a completely torn tendon. Surgery may involve realigning the joint, stitching the tendon, or fusing the joint to keep it straight.
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Treat a volar plate injury
A volar plate injury is a tear in the thick ligament that connects two bones in the finger. This injury is often caused by hyperextension, or backward bending, of the finger. This can happen when a ball strikes the finger, forcing it to bend back too far.
To treat a volar plate injury, it is recommended that you see a hand therapist. The hand therapist will assess the finger and create a custom thermoplastic 'dorsal blocking splint' to hold the finger in the correct position for healing. They will also educate you about your injury and how to manage it. In rare cases, surgery may be required.
In the meantime, you can follow the RICE protocol to help manage the pain and swelling:
- Rest: Stop the activity that injured your finger and let it rest.
- Ice: Apply ice to the injured area for 15-20 minutes at a time, especially within the first 24 hours. Be sure to wrap the ice in a towel or plastic bag to avoid direct contact with your skin.
- Compression: Gently wrap an elastic compression bandage around the injured joint to support it and reduce swelling. Ensure the wrap is not too tight and is comfortable.
- Elevation: Elevate your injured hand above your heart to minimize swelling, especially within the first 24-72 hours. Try to keep it elevated overnight if possible.
If you are experiencing mild pain, you can also take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help relieve the pain. Always follow the instructions on the bottle and your healthcare provider's guidance on dosage.
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Treat a central slip injury
Central slip injuries are caused by a sudden or forced bending of the middle joint of the finger, often as a result of a knock, fall, ball, or punching force. This injury can also be caused by a cut to the top of the finger, known as an open injury.
To treat a central slip injury, it is important to act quickly to avoid further complications and deformities. The recommended course of treatment is splinting with the joint held in extension for six weeks to allow for proper healing of the tendon. A hand therapist will be able to assess your level of mobility and provide exercises to restore movement and strength. They may also create a custom thermoplastic splint to hold your finger in the correct position for healing.
In some cases, surgery may be required to repair the central slip extensor tendon. This is more common in cases of penetrating or open injuries, where the tendon is vulnerable due to its superficial anatomical location.
After the tendon has healed, it is important to move and stretch the joint to prevent stiffness. A hand therapist can provide specific exercises tailored to your individual needs and the severity of your injury.
It is important to get your central slip injury assessed and diagnosed correctly by a healthcare professional to ensure it is being managed effectively.
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Treat a sprained finger
Sprained fingers are common in athletes, especially in sports like basketball, and can occur when a ball is incorrectly caught, causing the finger to twist or bend back too far. Sprains can also happen when falling and using your hand to break the fall.
To treat a sprained finger, the first step is RICE:
- Rest: Allow your finger to rest and stop doing the activity that caused the injury.
- Ice: Apply ice to the injured area for 15-20 minutes at a time, especially within the first 24 hours. Remember to wrap the ice in a towel before applying.
- Compression: Gently wrap an elastic compression bandage around the injured joint to support it and reduce swelling.
- Elevation: Elevate your injured hand above your heart to minimize swelling, especially within the first 24 to 72 hours.
Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help relieve pain. If the sprain is more severe, a doctor may recommend a splint to stabilise the finger. In rare cases, surgery may be required.
Mild and moderate sprains typically heal within three to six weeks. To prevent sprains, it is recommended to stretch before exercising and build strength in the surrounding muscles.
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Frequently asked questions
A jammed finger is typically a sprain to the joint or knuckle of the finger, which may also include a small fracture or dislocation of the joint. Sprains are classified as first, second, or third-degree, depending on the severity. If you experience severe pain, swelling, or stiffness, seek medical attention.
You can treat a mild sprain at home by resting your finger and applying ice for 15-20 minutes at a time, especially within the first 24 hours. You can also gently wrap an elastic compression bandage around the injured joint to support it and reduce swelling. Additionally, elevate your injured hand above your heart to minimize swelling, and consider taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain.
Basketball players are susceptible to jammed fingers, which can occur when a ball incorrectly lands in their hand or when falling and jabbing the finger into the ground. They are also at risk of mallet finger, an injury to the tendon that straightens the end joint of the finger or thumb, and central slip injuries, which affect the extensor tendon responsible for straightening the middle joint. Finger fractures are also common in basketball, ranging from hairline fractures to complex joint avulsion fractures involving ligaments and tendons.
