What is the treatment for a sprained finger?
Once a fracture has been ruled out, sports injury treatment using the P.R.I.C.E. principle should be utilized. For a first degree sprain, the athlete should protect the injured finger with a buddy tape job for the first 48 – 72 hours. Ice can be applied for twenty minutes every two hours either through the use of a small ice pack or cold water immersion. Cold water immersion is effective treatment for a sprained finger because the cold water can surround all of the injured area rather than just one side of the finger as in the application of an ice pack. Cold water immersion can easily be accomplished with the use of a large cup, water, and the addition of some ice. An athlete with a second degree sprain should have the finger splinted by either buddy taping the injured finger to the adjacent finger or by utilizing an aluminum splint. The finger should be splinted so that the injured joint and adjacent bones are immobilized. Aluminum splints can be custom cut to fit and bent to accommo
