Why do I always jam my fingers playing basketball?

It means that you have played basketball. This is a common, painful injury that occurs to many basketball players. Jams are caused usually by direct contact between a straight finger and another player, the ball, the ground, the rim, pretty much any hard surface. (there are plenty in basketball).

Why do I keep getting jammed fingers?

Causes. A jammed finger occurs when the tip of the finger is compressed towards the hand. As the finger is compressed, the ligaments supporting the joints are stretched or “sprained.” Ligaments are soft tissues that hold bone to bone. The greater the force, the more severe the sprain.

Why do basketball players tape their fingers?

Strapping Up For A Game: Finger Taping. Players in sports that involve catching of balls such as basketball are prone to sprained finger(s). Taping them helps prevent sprains by buddy-ing up the index and second finger together to provide better support.

How do you prevent finger injuries in sports?

Prevention Tips to Help Reduce Your Risk of Injury Refrain from playing through pain. Ask your athletic trainer or doctor about taping or bracing mildly injured fingers during games and practice. This may help to reduce more serious damage. Avoid wearing jewelry, such as bracelets and rings, while participating.

Can a jammed finger be permanent?

An untreated jammed finger can lead to permanent difficulties. The most common complication is stiffness. A treatment team for a jammed finger often includes an occupational hand therapist to help with motion.

Is it OK to play basketball with a jammed finger?

In most first degree sprains, the athlete is able to continue participating in sports. However, the athlete may benefit from taping the injured finger to an adjacent finger to prevent further injury.

How do you strengthen a jammed finger?

Isolated PIP flexion

1. Place the hand with the affected finger flat on a table, palm up. With your other hand, press down on the fingers that are not affected. Your affected finger will be free to move.
2. Slowly bend your affected finger. Hold for about 6 seconds. Then straighten your finger.
3. Repeat 8 to 12 times.

Should I pull my jammed finger?

If the sprain is severe and the joint has become displaced, the finger may also look crooked or out of joint. It is a common misconception that the individual or a coach should attempt to “pull it out” to realign it—this is not the case.

What is the fastest way to heal a jammed finger?

Treatment

1. Apply ice for 15 minutes each hour to bring down the swelling. If you don’t have ice, you can soak the finger in cold water instead.
2. Keep your finger elevated above chest level.
3. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) to ease any discomfort.

Should I tape my jammed finger?

Tape your injured finger to the finger beside it. This will immobilize your jammed finger and serve as a splint. Taping your fingers together will help secure the healing process by lessening injuries to your jammed finger.

How do you raise a jammed finger?

Elevate your hand above the level of your heart as often as you can. This will help decrease swelling and pain. Prop your hand on pillows or blankets to keep it elevated comfortably.

How do you prevent jammed fingers in soccer?

Prevention: Because jammed fingers occur from a traumatic impact, they are difficult to prevent. However, by practicing proper technique for catching the ball, you can make sure you are better prepared to avoid finger jams. Cause: A sprain is when you pull or tear a ligament, the soft tissue that connects one end of a bone to another.

What is the best way to treat a jammed finger?

As with any trauma-induced swelling, the popular “RICE” method should be used on a jammed finger. This involves resting it, icing it, compressing it with a wrap and elevating it. Applying ice to a fresh injury will reduce swelling, which is the immediate goal of RICE treatment. So, too, will elevating it so blood moves away from the injury.

Why does my finger hurt after a basketball hit my knuckle?

You may have a jammed finger. Even though the ball might have hit the tip of your finger, the injury actually occurs in the knuckle because that’s where the brunt of the trauma is absorbed. A jammed finger is swollen, hard to bend and somewhat painful. It is a common basketball injury.

What is the most common hand injury in basketball?

Jammed Finger. Cause: Jammed fingers are the most common hand injury in basketball. They occur when the ball hits the tip of the finger instead of the palm when a player goes to catch the basketball. These injuries can range from a sprain of the finger joint ligaments to a dislocated or fractured finger.