Strange Finger Injury- Help!

[BreezyD]

The other night while I was squeezing out a sponge ... perhaps a little too aggressively ... I felt a "pop" between my ring finger and pinky knuckles (in that little dip between them). That night, it was very sore to the touch and I could not properly make a fist or stretch out my finger without pain.

 

It has been about 3 days and the pain hasn't really subsided much. The pain also now extends up the inside of my pinky finger (on the ring finger side - not the outside of my hand).

 

I thought some of you climber types might have experienced something similar and could give me an idea of what I might have done to it.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Alpinfox]

 

I would recommend talking to a hand specialist (PM me if you'd like a recommendation). You may have to get a referral from you general practice doctor.

 

Don't rely on medical info you get from anonymous, random people via the internet. There are a couple of medical professionals that post on this website, but they aren't going to give you any advice without an examination.

[BreezyD]

Understood ... I just thought I would give it a little time before I go down that road ... it might resolve itself here in a bit. I was just looking for some leads so I could do some research in the meantime.

 

Thanks for the advice. If it doesn't improve I might take you up on your offer!

 

B

[RuMR]

The other night while I was squeezing out a sponge ... perhaps a little too aggressively ... I felt a "pop" between my ring finger and pinky knuckles (in that little dip between them). That night, it was very sore to the touch and I could not properly make a fist or stretch out my finger without pain.

 

It has been about 3 days and the pain hasn't really subsided much. The pain also now extends up the inside of my pinky finger (on the ring finger side - not the outside of my hand).

 

I thought some of you climber types might have experienced something similar and could give me an idea of what I might have done to it.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Exactly what type of sponge were you "squeezing"?

[Alpinfox]

Since I'm not a medical professional, I'll go ahead and give you some advice.

 

Rest - don't exercise the hand anymore than necessary. Tape your fingers together to remind you that you are injured and shouldn't be using them.

Ice - reduces inflamation and pain

Ibuprofen/Naproxen - Reduces inflamation and pain

If it hasn't gotten significantly better within a week post-injury, go see your doctor. Don't wait too long, because if you really popped a tendon, there is a critical period for surgical repair (if that is necessary) - though if you can still flex the fingers and you don't have a bowstringing tendon, total tendon rupture is unlikely. It could be a partial tear of the palmar fascia. If so, hopefully, in your case the inflamatory response/healing won't lead to a Duputreyen's contracture.

 

Like I said, I wouldn't rely on the advice of an anonymous, random person on the internet, even if they are an Alpinfox.