Title: Treating a Jammed Finger
Headings: Treating a Jammed Finger
Treating a Jammed Finger
Ice the Jammed Finger
Test the Finger for Movement and Range of Motion
Tape the Finger and Rest
See a Chiropractor or Osteopath
Use It or Lose It

Content: Treating a Jammed Finger
First Aid
Bruises, Cuts & Punctures
Treating a Jammed Finger
By
Elizabeth Quinn
Elizabeth Quinn is an exercise physiologist, sports medicine writer, and fitness consultant for corporate wellness and rehabilitation clinics. Learn about our editorial process
Elizabeth Quinn
Medically reviewed by
Medically reviewed by Michael Menna, DO on November 06, 2019
Michael Menna, DO, is a board-certified, active attending emergency medicine physician at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York. Learn about our Medical Review Board
Michael Menna, DO
Updated on January 03, 2020
Table of Contents
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Table of Contents
Ice the Jammed Finger
Test the Finger for Movement and Range of Motion
Tape the Finger and Rest
See a Chiropractor or Osteopath
Use It or Lose It
You may know that a jammed finger refers to finger joint pain and swelling from an impact injury of a single or multiple fingers. Jammed fingers are extremely painful, and require immediate treatment to aid healing. What's more, if jammed fingers are not addressed immediately, they may mask further damage such as fractures or dislocations. 1 ﻿
Verywell / JR Bee
Ice the Jammed Finger
The first step to treating such an injury is icing the injury and elevating the affected finger. Ice the injury with an ice pack, or if using frozen vegetables, wrap them with a towel first, and then proceed to ice the injury for 15-minute intervals, removing the ice and waiting until the finger returns to a normal temperature before icing again. Be sure not to ice more than three 15-minute intervals in an hour. Test the Finger for Movement and Range of Motion
If the finger doesn't move easily or the pain gets worse, see a physician and have an X-ray to determine if there is a ​ bone fracture or dislocation that needs to be corrected. 2 After the swelling decreases and the pain subsides, try to move the finger very slightly.