It is a known fact that jammed fingers commonly occur among those who play volleyball. The fingers can end up jammed when the individual falls on his/her outstretched hand or crashing with another player during a game. Spiking, setting or hitting the ball can also cause jammed fingers.
Jamming can occur once the joint capsules or ligaments of the fingers are forced beyond their normal range of motion. Always bear in mind that jammed fingers can interfere with the ability of the individual to play the sport as well as with daily activities. Luckily, this injury can be treated at home with basic first aid that you can learn if you will click here.
Measures on how to manage jammed fingers
- The individual must be instructed to avoid playing the sport at the onset of the injury. It is important to take a break from the sport until the fingers are completely free from pain.
- A doctor must be consulted. The individual must schedule an appointment with the doctor. In case of intense pain, fingers could not be moved or deformed visibly; the individual must be taken to the emergency department so that emergency care can be provided. Take note that these symptoms can indicate a fracture that requires immediate attention.
- Apply ice on the affected fingers. You can utilize an ice pack and apply it on the fingers. Make sure that the ice pack is wrapped in a clean cloth or towel before placed on the skin. The application of ice should last for 20 minutes at 2-3 times in a day.
- Provide the individual with over-the-counter medications for pain if he/she suffers from severe pain. Ibuprofen or aspirin can help minimize the inflammation and pain.
- The fingers must be secured using an athletic tape while they heal. You have to hold the jammed fingers together and place a piece of tape on the PIP joint and wrap in a circle around all the fingers. With another piece of tape, apply in the same circular motion above the PIP joint so that all the jammed fingers are covered. In case only one finger is jammed, tape the injured finger to an adjacent finger.
- The jammed fingers must be strengthened. Provide the individual with a stress ball or rubber ball. The ball must be placed in the palm of the injured hand and instruct the individual to squeeze the fingers around the ball as tightly as possible. Hold this position for 5 seconds and relax and repeat again for 10 times at 3 times in a day.
- The individual must also increase the range of motion of the jammed fingers. He/she must slowly take the fingers through their full range of motion. Each finger must be straightened and bent at each joint and hold each position for 5 seconds. Three sets of 10 repetitions must be repeated throughout the day.
Important considerations to bear in mind
The individual must not perform any finger exercise to a point where pain is experienced. If the individual feels pain, he/she must stop right away.