How long can a jammed finger stay swollen?

A jammed finger or broken joint will cause pain, swelling, and immobility of the finger. Swelling may occur and last for a few weeks. The swelling should go down after a few weeks, but the swelling may persist depending on the severity of the injury.

When should I go to the doctor for a swollen finger?

Many cases of swollen fingertips can be treated at home. However, it can be a sign of a more serious problem. You should see a doctor if: swelling lasts more than three days or happens more than three times a month.

How do you fix a swollen finger?

Try these methods for reducing swelling in your fingers:

Keep your hand/arm elevated. If you keep your hand down, gravity is keeping the extra fluid in your hand.
Apply ice to the affected area.
Wear a splint or compressive wrap. Do not apply too tightly.
Take anti inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen.

How do I know if my finger is infected?

Symptoms of finger infections include:

Redness.
Swelling.
Warmth.
Pus drainage.
Fever (in some cases)

How do you treat a severely jammed finger?

Treatment

Apply ice for 15 minutes each hour to bring down the swelling. If you don’t have ice, you can soak the finger in cold water instead.
Keep your finger elevated above chest level.
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) to ease any discomfort.

What happens if you don’t treat a jammed finger?

If left untreated, a jammed finger can lead to complications including prolonged stiffness or difficulty fully straightening the finger. Once the joint has had time to heal, a doctor may recommend exercises to reduce stiffness in the joint.

Will a jammed finger heal on its own?

Most of the time a jammed finger will get better on its own within a week or two. But even with treatment, your finger may stay swollen or sensitive for many months. During recovery, try to use the finger as little as possible while it heals. Take a break from sports or other activities that could worsen your injury.

How long does swelling last?

After you suffer an injury, swelling usually worsens over the first two to four days. It can then last for as long as three months as the body attempts to heal itself. If the swelling lasts longer than this, your physical therapist or doctor may need to take a closer look to determine the cause of the delayed healing.

How do you make the swelling go down?

Applying an ice-pack or cold compress to an injury is the fastest way to deal with immediate swelling. It helps reduce swelling by restricting blood flow to the area and slowing down cellular metabolism. Cold therapy systems and ice baths are other methods you can use to apply cold to the area.

How do you fix a jammed finger?

Splint or Immobilize Your Finger. Does your finger look like it’s out of joint?

After Recovery Care. After your finger has healed,doing a little physical therapy or exercise can help you regain full motion.

Serious Injury Options. If your injury is serious,don’t try these home care treatments and go see your doctor instead.

What is the healing time for a jammed finger?

A jammed finger is an injury to the tendon that straightens the tip of your finger. A piece of bone may be pulled away with your tendon. Your injury may take 4 to 8 weeks to heal.

What is the best treatment for a jammed finger?

Jammed fingers may be treated without or with surgery, depending on how severe the injury is. Some injuries can be treated with a splint and/or buddy strapping to the neighboring normal finger (Figure 2). These treatments are often performed along with the care of a hand therapist. Some severe injuries require surgery.