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This article was medically reviewed by Joel Giffin, PT, DPT, CHT and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Dr. Joel Giffin is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the Founder of Flex Physical Therapy in New York, New York. With over 15 years of experience as a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), Dr. Giffin treats the whole body and specializes in rehabilitation of the hand and upper extremities. He has treated Broadway theater performers backstage at shows such as The Lion King, Sleep No More, Tarzan, and Sister Act. Flex Physical Therapy also specializes in occupational and pelvic floor therapy. Dr. Giffin earned his Master’s degree in Physical Therapy with honors from Quinnipiac University and received his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree with distinction from Simmons College. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Society of Hand Therapists.
There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Sprained fingers are relatively common injuries in sports like football and basketball. Fortunately, although a sprained finger can be uncomfortable and get in the way of day-to-day activities, it’s not a serious injury.[1] You can tell if your finger is sprained by seeing if it cramps or turns red and by examining whether or not it’s swollen. If you’re struggling to figure out if your finger is sprained or broken, make an appointment to see your doctor.
Steps
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![Step 1 Look for swelling on the sides of your finger if it was bent sideways.]()
Look for swelling on the sides of your finger if it was bent sideways. Swelling is one of the primary signs of a sprained finger. If your finger was bent uncomfortably far to one side or the other, the ligaments connected to the finger’s bones may be stretched or torn.[2]- The tendons swell on the opposite side that the finger was bent. If your finger is bent too far to the left, look for swelling on the right side of the finger.
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![Step 2 Inspect the bottom of your finger if it was bent backward.]()
Inspect the bottom of your finger if it was bent backward. Notice if the soft underside of your finger seems puffier than usual. If so, this is a sign that the finger has been sprained and that the ligaments near the base of your finger have been stretched or torn.[3]- If you’re not sure whether the finger is swollen, compare it with the corresponding finger on your other hand.
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![Step 3 See if parts of your finger have turned a shade of red.]()
See if parts of your finger have turned a shade of red. Along with swelling, the most notable sign of a sprained finger is red discoloration. Inspect the sides and bottom of your finger. If the finger is redder than the surrounding fingers, it’s likely sprained.[4]- The degree of redness will vary with the severity of the sprain. So, if your finger is slightly sprained, the skin covering the tendon may be slightly pink.
- If the sprain is severe, a large portion of the finger may be notably bright red.
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![Step 1 Try to use the finger normally after the injury.]()
Try to use the finger normally after the injury. If you’re concerned that your finger may be sprained, try to use it as you typically would for the next day or 2. If you notice that the finger doesn’t function normally, doesn’t bend, can’t hold weight, or is too painful to use, it’s most likely sprained.[5]- For example, if you find yourself unable to pick up a gallon of milk using your hand with an injured finger, you’re probably experiencing a sprain.
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![Step 2 Pay attention to cramping or spasms in your finger muscles.]()
Pay attention to cramping or spasms in your finger muscles. When a finger is sprained, its muscles are often affected. Watch your finger as you go about your daily routine, and take note of any painful or uncomfortable cramps. Cramps may cause your finger to bend itself into a twisted position. Sprains are also commonly accompanied by muscle spasms.[6]- So, if you notice that your finger is twitching or bending on its own, it’s probably sprained.
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![Step 3 Note how much pain you feel in the sprained finger.]()
Note how much pain you feel in the sprained finger. Any finger injury will be painful, but the degree of pain you feel will indicate how seriously the finger is sprained.[7] Mild, or Grade 1, finger sprains are associated with minimal to mild pain, while moderate and severe sprains (Grade 2 and 3) typically cause prolonged pain that’s more intense.[8]- If the pain is sharp and severe, you’ve either seriously sprained or broken your finger. A broken finger often looks misshapen or deformed and can feel numb or tingly.[9]
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![Step 4 Straighten your finger and see if the tip stays bent.]()
Straighten your finger and see if the tip stays bent. If your sprained finger was impacted head-on, it may be compressed and have potential joint damage in addition to a potential sprain. This condition is known as “mallet finger.” If you try to straighten your finger and the tip stays bent at an angle, it needs to be professionally splinted by a doctor or nurse.[10]- Like sprains, mallet fingers often feel painful or tender and look swollen.
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![Step 1 Visit a doctor if your finger is still swollen, bruised, or painful after 48 hours.]()
Visit a doctor if your finger is still swollen, bruised, or painful after 48 hours. If pain from a sprained finger is severe or lasts for more than a couple of days, schedule an appointment with your general practitioner.[11] They’ll be able to assess the damage to your finger and determine whether or not the ligaments are sprained.- Go to a local Urgent Care center or emergency room if you’re unable to bend your finger after the incident, the pain from the injury prevents you from going about your daily routine, the swelling, redness, or pain gets worse, or you have signs of an infection (e.g., high temperature, redness, streaks on the finger).[12]
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![Step 2 Describe your finger injury to the doctor.]()
Describe your finger injury to the doctor. Tell the doctor when and where the finger was injured. Also describe how you sustained the injury (e.g., if you caught the ball wrong in a game of baseball). Mention what angle your finger was at when it was injured and what direction the injury came from. Tell the doctor how severe the pain is, and whether it’s become more or less painful with time.[13]- During your visit, your doctor will do a physical exam to check for swelling and see where the pain is coming from. This helps them determine the severity of the sprain and how stable the injured joint is.
- Also make an appointment if you have a mallet finger, since the condition needs to be treated by a medical professional.
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![Step 3 Request an imaging scan if your doctor can’t visually confirm a sprain.]()
Request an imaging scan if your doctor can’t visually confirm a sprain. The doctor will most likely perform an X-ray or an MRI scan. Both of these scans allow the doctor to get a clear image of the bones and ligaments in your finger. An MRI in particular will give the doctor a clear look at the ligaments inside your injured finger. After viewing the scan results, the doctor will be able to diagnose whether or not your finger is sprained.[14]- Neither the X-ray procedure nor the MRI procedure should cause any pain or discomfort.
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Tips
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A finger sprain occurs when your finger is bent in a direction that stretches or tears the ligaments in the finger. Ligaments are the soft tissues that connect your bones to your joints.[15]Thanks
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The severity of a sprain is graded from 1 to 3. In a Grade 1 or mild sprain, the ligament is stretched or slightly torn. In a Grade 2 or moderate sprain, the ligament is partially torn. In a Grade 3 or severe sprain, the ligament is completely torn from the bone.[16]Thanks
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The only way to tell for sure if your finger is broken or sprained is to visit your doctor for an X-ray.Thanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-and-strains/
- ↑ https://www.hss.edu/playbook/so-you-jammed-your-finger/
- ↑ https://www.hss.edu/playbook/so-you-jammed-your-finger/
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/strains-sprains-sheet.html
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-and-strains/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-and-strains/
- ↑ https://www.hss.edu/playbook/so-you-jammed-your-finger/
- ↑ https://nyulangone.org/conditions/hand-sprains-strains/diagnosis
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22226-sprained-thumb
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/mallet-finger/
- ↑ https://nyulangone.org/conditions/hand-sprains-strains/diagnosis
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/strains-sprains-sheet.html
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22226-sprained-thumb
- ↑ https://nyulangone.org/conditions/hand-sprains-strains/diagnosis
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sprains/symptoms-causes/syc-20377938
- ↑ https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprained-thumb/
About This Article
Physical Therapist
This article was medically reviewed by Joel Giffin, PT, DPT, CHT and by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Dr. Joel Giffin is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and the Founder of Flex Physical Therapy in New York, New York. With over 15 years of experience as a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), Dr. Giffin treats the whole body and specializes in rehabilitation of the hand and upper extremities. He has treated Broadway theater performers backstage at shows such as The Lion King, Sleep No More, Tarzan, and Sister Act. Flex Physical Therapy also specializes in occupational and pelvic floor therapy. Dr. Giffin earned his Master’s degree in Physical Therapy with honors from Quinnipiac University and received his Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree with distinction from Simmons College. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Society of Hand Therapists. This article has been viewed 189,276 times.
Co-authors: 17
Updated: October 31, 2024
Views: 189,276
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 189,276 times.
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