Baseball finger is an injury to the extensor tendons that straighten the finger, caused by a “jam” or impact. It can be treated with ice, elevation, and splinting, and surgery may be necessary in severe cases. Healing can take several weeks, and it’s important to prevent future damage. See a doctor if the finger is extremely painful or unresponsive to treatment.
Baseball finger, also known as hammer toe, is a finger injury that involves damage to the extensor tendons used to straighten the finger. In a patient with baseball finger, the finger is bent and cannot be straightened. The classic cause of this injury is a “jam,” in which the finger is forcibly bent from being bumped into something or by something such as a baseball hitting it. This condition is very treatable.
At the time of the injury, people usually feel significant pain in the jammed finger. Sometimes baseball finger is accompanied by a fracture, which can be closed or open. It’s not uncommon for the fingertip to swell and bruise, and sometimes people lose their nails or develop blood spots under the nail. The involved finger may be warm and tender, and moving it is usually painful.
In many cases, baseball finger can be treated with ice, elevation, and splinting. The ice and elevation will reduce swelling, which will increase patient comfort while the finger heals. Splinting the finger will help healing and reduce the strain on the finger. It is important that patients use the splint as directed; although it can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful, the splint should not be removed until it is safe to do so or healing may be impaired.
Surgical management options are also available. Surgery may be recommended when the toe is broken, doesn’t respond to treatment, or appears to be badly injured. A hand and wrist specialist can perform the surgery to repair the injury. Splinting is usually needed after surgery to keep the finger immobile while it heals.
It can take several weeks for the finger to heal completely, and during the healing phase, people should be careful to prevent the damaged finger from coming back. The finger may also be vulnerable to damage in the future, and it is important to gently stretch and flex the finger after it heals to develop strength again.
Often, people can treat baseball finger at home with ice and splints. However, if your finger is extremely painful or unresponsive to treatment, you should see a doctor. It is possible that the finger is broken or that more aggressive treatment is needed. It’s especially important to see a doctor if signs of infection appear or if you lose feeling in your fingertip.
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