Don’t forget to wrap ice in a thin towel before applying it to your finger so you don’t get ice burn or frostbite. Using ice for too long can harm your skin and make your finger hurt worse. Be sure to take the ice off after 15 minutes to prevent further injury. Use ice once every hour as your finger heals.
When you’re sitting down, place your hand on a pillow to keep it elevated without expending too much energy.
Do not give aspirin to children under 18, due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome. As an alternative to taking any pills, consider applying an anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving cream or gel to your jammed finger joint. The cream or gel will absorb locally and eliminate the risk of any stomach problems.
To provide a little more support for your jammed finger, you can use a wooden craft stick along with the tape. After 3 to 5 days, take the tape off and see how your finger feels. If it’s still very sore or you can’t bend or straighten it, seek medical attention.
You may have some weakness in your injured finger for up to 1 week after it heals.
Popping a jammed finger is usually easier if someone else does it for you. However, you can pop it yourself, too. If you don’t feel comfortable popping your own finger, visit a chiropractor. They can do a joint adjustment and assess your finger professionally. Some people recommend unjamming a finger by pulling it, while others are firmly against it. If you’re not sure whether you should pop your injured finger or not, talk to your doctor.
If this doesn’t help your jammed finger or causes you pain, don’t worry—there are 2 ways to pop a jammed finger. Move onto the next step.
You can also try gently twisting your finger back and forth.
Instead of a jammed finger, you might have a small hairline or stress fracture in the long bones of your finger, or an avulsion fracture closer to the joint.
Your finger may feel sore or irritated for 2 weeks or so, but a simple jammed finger won’t cause terrible pain for more than 3 days.
You should also seek medical care if your finger turns blue or purple.
Most jammed fingers can be treated without surgery. However, if your injury is serious, your doctor may recommend surgical options. Other treatment options include steroid injections or physical therapy.
