You Are Not My Doctor, PA, Osteopath, Nurse Trainee...

June 28, 2009 1:30 PM

Around how long before the sprain of the top two joints in my finger heals?

I apparently sprained two joints in my finger a week ago, went to the doctor, had an x-ray and found out the doc will be back Tuesday. When the pain worsened, I went to the hospital, where I got a more immediate x-ray confirming no fracture. Almost all the swelling is gone, but the finger still hurts and defaults to a bent, clawlike position at rest. Around how long should it take me to recover, and would it be more helpful to keep wearing a splint, or not? I saw a scary webpage about torn ligaments. Hold me.

posted by StrikeTheViol to Health & Fitness (2 answers total)

Sprains on dominant hand or non-dominant hand?

I badly sprained my index and middle finger of my dominant hand in my early 20's. Similar symptoms but much more pain and persistent inflammation and pain. Took 3 or 4 months to heal and starting my 30's, they still aren't "right" and give me problems every now and then.

Have them immobilized and stay away from using them until they heal. See if you can arrange physiotherapy/kinesiology for it when they're healed (the only bad experience I have with the Canadian health service is that I didn't get a referal to a physio/kinesio).

OTOH, my father had extensive damage to his left hand in his 30's, but between his mid 40's to 50 he rehabbed the hand enough to play and teach violin at the highest levels professionally.
posted by porpoise at 8:28 PM on June 28, 2009

IANAD, but fingersplint for protection until you can see the doctor. I broke my middle finger, top joint last year and I couldn't see the doctor until the weekend had passed. I had secured it in a finger splint (bought at drugstore) until then. He took x-rays and put it back in my same splint and gave me something for the pain. He said that's all we could do. It healed quickly and all is well.
posted by heather-b at 12:14 PM on June 29, 2009