Should I see a doctor about my minor finger injury?
July 31, 2019 8:52 AM Subscribe
I've injured a knuckle or finger in a very minor way, but I'm worried that it might not be healing properly.
About 80 days ago I was for some reason absent-mindedly chewing on my right index finger when there was a small pop. It hurt just a bit, but my knuckle (the second one from the fingertip) now seemed a little loose.
In the days since then, this finger has been slightly sore in an only periodically noticeable way. However, if bumped sideways it hurts a bit more, and I've bumped it sideways a couple of times in the last 24 hour, so it's now sore enough to be distracting today.
This is a such a tiny injury, that my inclination is just to keep on letting my hand fix itself, but I've stared to wonder whether this could turn into a progressive problem of some sort, or lead to problems later on if it doesn't heal properly. At the same time, I'm reluctant to seek medical attention because (although I have decent insurance) any specialist attention is likely to be expensive, and I feel like any intervention has the potential to make a small problem much worse.
I'd appreciate any thoughts or experiences you might have about this issue. I'm located in southwest Ohio, if that makes a difference.
About 80 days ago I was for some reason absent-mindedly chewing on my right index finger when there was a small pop. It hurt just a bit, but my knuckle (the second one from the fingertip) now seemed a little loose.
In the days since then, this finger has been slightly sore in an only periodically noticeable way. However, if bumped sideways it hurts a bit more, and I've bumped it sideways a couple of times in the last 24 hour, so it's now sore enough to be distracting today.
This is a such a tiny injury, that my inclination is just to keep on letting my hand fix itself, but I've stared to wonder whether this could turn into a progressive problem of some sort, or lead to problems later on if it doesn't heal properly. At the same time, I'm reluctant to seek medical attention because (although I have decent insurance) any specialist attention is likely to be expensive, and I feel like any intervention has the potential to make a small problem much worse.
I'd appreciate any thoughts or experiences you might have about this issue. I'm located in southwest Ohio, if that makes a difference.
Yes, see a doctor. You are liable to develop arthritis in that knuckle, which would cause you lifelong problems and/or surgery to correct.
posted by beagle at 9:20 AM on July 31, 2019
posted by beagle at 9:20 AM on July 31, 2019
Definitely see your doctor, if you have one. It's not something I'd pay to go to the ER for unless that's the only doctor available, but after a couple of months of pain for what sounds like you thought was a minor injury before, I'd definitely want to know why it still hurt.
posted by xingcat at 10:41 AM on July 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by xingcat at 10:41 AM on July 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
See a doctor. My father in law didn’t see a doctor and now he’s got a screw in his thumb
posted by kerf at 11:10 AM on July 31, 2019
posted by kerf at 11:10 AM on July 31, 2019
I jammed my right index finger pretty bad playing rugby when I was in high school and I didn't go to a doctor because I figured that if I had to get a splint or something for it it would end my season. 20+ years later that finger is still bent. I don't particularly regret the choice but if you don't want to be stuck with a wonky finger I'd say go to a doctor.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 11:15 AM on July 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 11:15 AM on July 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
Nth-ing the chorus to see someone about it. I have been seeing a physio for a few weeks for a small finger injury. As a climber though, finger injuries can be a big deal and I figured I might as well use the coverage I'm paying for.
posted by invokeuse at 11:21 AM on July 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by invokeuse at 11:21 AM on July 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
I bent a ring finger funny that resulted in the same sort of issue. Brushing crumbs off a shirt or smoothing out the comforter when making the bed resulting in a quick nasty pain. I also didn't have full mobility to make a fist. I had to push the finger down the last half inch or so.
The pain lingered and a I saw a specialist after a couple months. Did xrays. Did mri. I was given a cortisone shot. I made it feel a bit better for a few weeks. The pain never got as sharp when the shot wore off, but it took more than a year for it to finally be better. Full motion and no pain since.
I'd probably still get it checked, but other than confirming that it wasn't serious, I don't think the visit really helped me much, especially considering the money spent.
posted by Barnsie at 11:43 AM on July 31, 2019
The pain lingered and a I saw a specialist after a couple months. Did xrays. Did mri. I was given a cortisone shot. I made it feel a bit better for a few weeks. The pain never got as sharp when the shot wore off, but it took more than a year for it to finally be better. Full motion and no pain since.
I'd probably still get it checked, but other than confirming that it wasn't serious, I don't think the visit really helped me much, especially considering the money spent.
posted by Barnsie at 11:43 AM on July 31, 2019
Have you tried any treatments at all? I mean you could have been doing something for the last 80 days. Sure your body can heal itself but we can do things to help, like splints, braces, RICE, lineaments, NSAIDS...
You could start any/all of that now, it may take a while to get to the right doctors etc. Or maybe a week of that will set you straight.
To my knowledge none of those can harm you, unless you crazy overdo the nsaids.
(I’ve had lots of minor and moderate joint injuries)
posted by SaltySalticid at 3:33 PM on July 31, 2019
You could start any/all of that now, it may take a while to get to the right doctors etc. Or maybe a week of that will set you straight.
To my knowledge none of those can harm you, unless you crazy overdo the nsaids.
(I’ve had lots of minor and moderate joint injuries)
posted by SaltySalticid at 3:33 PM on July 31, 2019
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posted by tobascodagama at 9:12 AM on July 31, 2019 [4 favorites]