In this article, you will learn about jammed fingers, symptoms, and how they can be managed with home remedies. Scroll down to learn more. This may damage your tendon or even cause a fracture. If your finger isn’t fractured by this impact, it can become swollen and painful. It can be difficult to tell if your finger is broken or jammed. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how you can differentiate between the two.
Signs And Symptoms – Jammed Finger Vs. Broken Finger
Jammed Finger
The signs and symptoms of a jammed finger include:
Pain in the affected finger Difficulty in using the jammed finger to hold anything Inflammatory symptoms like redness and swelling in the injured finger
Broken Finger The symptoms exhibited by a broken finger are:
Severe throbbing pain in the affected finger Inability to move or even straighten your finger Swelling in the finger that may last for days or even weeks
While the symptoms of both jammed and fractured fingers may be similar in certain ways, they are much worse and severe in the case of the latter. We have already understood what triggers a jammed finger. Let’s look a little more into this right below.
What Causes A Jammed Finger?
A jammed finger is caused by any sudden force that causes your fingertip to be pushed down. It is most commonly triggered by an injury to the joint of your middle finger. This joint, where your finger bends in half, is referred to as the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP). When small ligaments (collateral ligaments) that support the PIP joint are strained or overstretched, your finger may get jammed. Such strains tend to happen when your finger ends up absorbing a lot of force from an injury – like the one from catching a ball or other similar injuries. A jammed finger needs to be fixed. Most cases of jammed fingers are minor and can be treated right at home unless it is a fracture that you are unaware of. Listed below are some home remedies that can help in treating a jammed finger.
How To Fix A Jammed Finger Naturally
5 Natural Treatments To Fix Jammed Fingers
1. Ice Pack
An ice pack or cold compress You can do this multiple times daily. An ice pack can help alleviate the pain of the jammed finger by numbing the area. It can also help in alleviating swelling and inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory effects (1).
2. Epsom Salt
1 tablespoon of Epsom salt Water A large bowl or basin
You may do this once daily. The anti-inflammatory activities of magnesium in Epsom salt can help in soothing inflammation, pain, and swelling associated with a jammed finger (2).
3. Aloe Vera Gel
1-2 teaspoons of aloe gel You can do this multiple times daily. Aloe vera exhibits excellent healing and anti-inflammatory properties (3). Hence, it can be a great option for alleviating the pain and inflammation in the affected finger.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon of water Cotton ball
You may do this 2-3 times daily. While there is no scientific evidence to back this claim, anecdotal evidence suggests that the anti-inflammatory nature of ACV can be quite effective in treating inflammatory symptoms like swelling and pain.
5. Turmeric
1 teaspoon of turmeric powder 4 tablespoons of coconut oil
You can do this 1-2 times daily. Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, possesses excellent anti-inflammatory and healing properties (4). It may help in treating the pain, swelling, and redness in the jammed finger.
6. Lavender Oil
You Will Need
3 drops of lavender oil 2 teaspoons of coconut oil
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You can do this 1-2 times daily. Why This Works Lander oil has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties (5). It may help in reducing swelling and pain in your jammed finger. While these remedies do their job in speeding up the healing, here are some tips to protect your finger from further damage.
Prevention Tips
Avoid using the jammed finger until it has recovered completely. Take a break from sports and other physical activities that may worsen the injury. Keep the finger strapped or splinted until it has healed completely. Once the jammed finger heals, do small exercises like making a fist or holding a tension ball or other objects to regain the lost strength of your finger.
Does warm water help a jammed finger? Yes, warm water may help reduce the stiffness that oftenn accompanies a jammed finger. However, warm water may be used after the swelling has subsided and the finger has healed a little. Cold water is recommended as first aid in case of a jammed finger. How do you fix a jammed finger in 24 hours? Jammed fingers may take upto 2 weeks or sometimes longer to completely heal. However, symptoms can be reduced and the swelling managed by keeping the finger immobile, compressed, and elevated. In addition, you may take acetaminophen or ibuprofen to help with the swelling and pain. How long will a jammed finger stay swollen? The swelling on a jammed finger usually goes away within 2 weeks. However, it may persist for months in some cases.
