Finger Injury

[cmasse]

I injured my middle finger playing Rugby three weeks ago and it is still sore. It hurts when pressure is applied and if I bend it a certain way it also hurts. I went to the doctor's and I had an x-ray but nothing was broken. Could there be tendon or ligament damage? Should I go see another doctor?

Cassie

[Steve]

Hi

as a sports therapist I see these kind of injuries from time to time and what you have done so far is the correct route of ruling out any bone damage. Of course tendons and ligaments can be tweaked significantly which can then take a while to repair. If still swollen then cold therapy will be sensible and yes do seek advice from a local therapist if the GP route has come to a conclusion. In the meantime decide where you are on RICE (rest Ice Compression Elevantion) or MICE (mobilisation etc)
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/hand_injury/finger_sprain.htm
Splints for rest your finger now and finger supports for the future perhaps
http://www.return2fitness.co.uk/Supports_And_Braces/Fingers_And_Thumbs

good luck
Steve

[cmasse]

Thank you for replying. I injured my middle finger playing Rugby three months ago. I did go to a doctor to have it looked at and he x-rayed it and said it wasn't broken . He said it could be ligament and tendon damage and if the pain doesn't get any better, then I would need to go back to see him. It has been three months since the injury and the pain is still the same. It hurts when I hold my finger and move it side to side and up and down and also when prrssure is applied. It also hurts between the knuckle and the beginiing part of my finger when pressure is applied. Also it hurts on my knuckle when pressure is applied. Should I get it looked again right away?

Cassie

[Heidi]

Yes, return to the Doctor as instructed. If you get no help from there, try a private therapist.
You should be able to find one here:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/clinics/indextherapist.php

[cmasse]

Thank you for replying. Is it normal to still be having pain after three months of the injury? I do notice my middle knuckle is still swollen as well as my finger. There is also bruising on top of my middle finger and in between my middle finger and ring finger. It hurts alot when pressure is applied and when I move it certain ways.

Cassie

[Heidi]

Hi

I'm afriad it is impossible to tell you if it is 'normal' as we don't know what the injury is! I think you need to go back to the Doctor!