Finger pain and injuries are quite common. Finger injuries can be the result of a variety of issues, like a fracture, dislocation, sprain, tear, or simply from overuse. While a finger injury may seem small in comparison to other injuries, you use your fingers and thumbs in almost everything you do – from grabbing objects to playing an instrument to working on your computer. If you’ve recently suffered a finger injury or have started experiencing pain in any one of your fingers, it’s time to see a New York finger surgeon!
These are 4 of the most common finger injuries:
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger is a condition in which one of your fingers gets stuck in a bent position. When straightening or bending your finger, this may sound like your fingers are popping or snapping, and typically causes you pain. Also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, trigger finger happens when inflammation narrows the space around your tendon, causing the finger to get stuck or struggle to straighten or bend.
Fractures
You can suffer from a finger fracture in a multitude of ways. Whether it’s playing a sport, accidentally closing your finger in a door, or landing on your hand during a fall, there is no shortage of ways to accidentally fracture your finger. While many fractures can have a simple treatment such as a splint, some may need surgical treatment.
Dislocations and Sprains
Another one of the most common finger injuries we see is to the ligaments, which can be either a dislocation or a sprain. If you’ve sprained or dislocated a finger, it’s common to notice swelling or stiffness right after your injury and sometimes for months following. In most cases, you can rest and take care of your sprain, but some more severe dislocations may need to be set back into place.
A specific type of thumb dislocation that we commonly see is Gamekeeper’s Thumb. In this injury, the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb is damaged. This injury often requires surgery.
Mallet Finger
A mallet finger injury affects the tip of your finger. This type of injury is usually described as the feeling of “jamming” your finger. Once you’ve suffered from a mallet finger injury, you may find that it is hard for you to straighten the tip of your finger. Thankfully, almost all mallet finger injuries can be solved with the use of a splint, but the splint usually needs to be used for about 6 weeks for a full recovery.
Make an Appointment with a New York Finger Surgeon
If you’ve recently suffered a finger injury or have been living with finger pain for an extended period of time, make an appointment with a New York finger surgeon at OrthoManhattan! Our practice boasts some of New York’s top finger doctors, and they’re all passionate about providing the highest level of care possible. To make an appointment, contact our office during business hours or submit a contact form in the top right corner of the page.