Finger is messed up

[micfeb3]

So, I fell backwards and caught myself with my hands. But, my wrist and middle finger were bent backwards. It has been 3 months. I never went to a doctor. My wrist is healing, but my finger is still messed up. It is swollen and feels tight when bent in. Should I splint it? See a doctor? When I was splinting it at night I would wake up, take the splint off, and it felt really sore.

Thanks for any help.

[Tuckamore]

If you sprained it, it should be healing by now. It's possible you tore a ligaments or tendons.A fracture is also a possibility. I would see a doctor. Also splinting it at night is usually a good idea but you may not be using the correct size split. Be sure not to wrap it too tight. Ice is also a good tool to reduce swelling but I would be you have tried that as well as OTC antiinflamatories such as IB. NSAID have to be used religiously and at the correct disage to be benefical. (Sorry my spelling is bad today)  Again if you are having swelling and pain after 3 months a doc's opinion is long over due. Take care and keep us posted. Tuck

[micfeb3]

Thanks for the help. When I splinted it I just used 2 Popsicle sticks and med. tape. I should have gone to a doctor, but I start a new job and work when my doctor is open.

Also,  during the healing process it has been popping differently. At first I could easily popit by pulling the finger straight out, and now after sleeping all night I can pop it by pushing the top of my finger to the side..


Thanks again.

[Mollyrae]

Hi. It sounds like a fracture to me. I would definitly see a Doctor and at least have some x-rays taken. Especially with the swelling, you could have a significant injury that your not even aware of. I would also worry about nerves. Pleas see the Doc. And the Anti-inflammatory is a great idea if you already haven't done so. Good luck, Mollyrae

[Tuckamore]

Maybe you dislocated it. At any rate my opinion remains the same. I would see a doc. Best of Luck and please keep us posrted. Tuck

[micfeb3]

Hello, just an update; I went to a sports medicine doctor (because he had a weekend clinic). He said the wrists were not fractured/ broken, and I probably strained/stretched/sprained a piece of "gristle" on my wrist that is common with falls.I think it is probably a Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Injury from reading online. My wrist still cracks a lot, but it is still like 20% messed up. I read online some people who had tfcc tares are still messed up after years. I don't know if mine is a tear or sprain.

Also, the doc ask if my finger hurt when he squeezed the sides of the knuckles. At the time I said no, but after working all day and using my hands the sides are swollen/sensitive. I guess he didn't see any fracture since he said to use it like normal. However, when I splint it the swelling goes away completely. I used my hands all day today, iced my knuckle and it swelled like a mofo. Here are pics:

[IMG]http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/8591/botlv4.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4906/topqg6.jpg[/IMG]

I am thinking I'll split it for a long time, soak it in warm water, and after like a month I'll move my finger again (and loosen it up).