Q: What can you do for a jammed finger?

Answer:

Good question! Anytime you have an injury, it’s important to remember...Rest, Ice, and Elevation! Each of these things will help an injury to feel better and reduce swelling. Take a few moments to rest the finger, and place it in a position at the level of your heart. Cool compresses or ice packs help the pain a lot. If these don’t help, you may want to ask Mom or Dad for some Tylenol or Ibuprofen.

If you can’t move your finger, or if it looks crooked and you cannot straighten it, you may need to see a doctor. This may mean that you have broken a bone or injured a tendon. Tendons are the pulleys that attach your muscles to the bones, making the joints in your body move. If your finger continues to hurt badly, or if it becomes very swollen, Mom or Dad may want it checked out as well. The doctor (or nurse practitioner) may need to take an x-ray, or picture of your bones to see if they are injured. And you may need a splint to protect the injury and help it heal.

Many times a jamming injury happens when you are playing basketball, football or other sports. Although most sports don’t include a “finger guard”, make sure that you always wear the appropriate safety gear for the sport you are playing. And remember, if you ever get hurt, we’re here to help!

Meg Douglass, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Activity:

Look in today’s Healthy Living section in The Herald-Sun and see if you can find an article about healthy bones. Have a classroom discussion about what exercises and foods would promote healthier bones. Why is calcium so important and what does it do to help your bones? What foods have calcium in them?