How to Know if You Sprained Your Finger

Author: Luba Lee / Source: wikiHow

In this Article:Inspecting Your Finger VisuallyNoting Painful Symptoms of a SprainSeeing a Doctor to Diagnose Your FingerCommunity Q&A12 References

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.

1. 1 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 will swell on the side opposite the way in which the finger was bent. So, if your finger was forced too far to the left, look for swelling on the right side of the finger.
2. 2 Inspect the bottom of your finger if the finger was bent backwards. 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 or not the finger is swollen, compare it with the corresponding finger on your other hand.
3. 3 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 more red 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 lightly sprained, the skin covering the sprained tendon may be slightly pink.
   • If the sprain is severe, a large portion of the finger may be notably bright red.

1. 1 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.
2. 2 Pay attention to cramping or spasms in your finger muscles. When a finger is sprained, its…

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