Diagnosing and Treating a Jammed Finger

Based in Wasington state, Dr. Timothy P. Schweitzer meets the orthopedic needs of patients facing issues of the upper extremities and hands. American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery certified with additional qualification in hand surgery, Dr. Timothy P. Schweitzer has spoken on a wide range of issues in his field.
At the Department of Exercise Science at Sterling College, Dr. Schweitzer delivered a presentation entitled The “Jammed” Finger and Other Upper Extremity Injuries. Common in sports, jammed fingers may also occur in everyday situations where the fingers are suddenly compressed toward the hand.
This sudden compression can cause a sprain of hand ligaments. When left untreated, a jammed finger can result in permanent stiffness or instability.
Before treatment for a jammed finger can proceed, the physician is informed of when and how the injury took place. Exams typically involve radiographs and physical examination and can be augmented through CT scans and MRIs. With surgical correction as a last resort, the most common initial treatment pathway is through the use of a splint that immobilizes the finger.
