If there is any chance of bone infection get it checked out asap
Jammed Fingers - Any Big Deal?
Hi folks,
Two weeks ago I crashed and either jammed or broke my pinky and ring fingers. Hard to imagine breaking both at once, so I assume I jammed them. At the time, I just figured they hurt but I ignored it and mountain biked out the last 5-6 miles of the route.
2 weeks passed and they don't really feel or look any better. And the pinky feels like a tiny bit of puss weeps through the skin... always feels a little sticky. But not sure about that.
I'm not big on hospitals and I just assume fingers are very basic and there's nothing a doctor could do except tell me to be careful with it until it feels better.
But I guess if anyone has some horror stories where they wished they got a broken finger checked out, let me know. I feel like toughing this out but then I don't want any permanent bad heal that'll mess up my bicycling hobby down the road. I'm 51 and assume things might not heal like some 20-year-old would say "back when they played football and broke their finger".
Two weeks ago I crashed and either jammed or broke my pinky and ring fingers. Hard to imagine breaking both at once, so I assume I jammed them. At the time, I just figured they hurt but I ignored it and mountain biked out the last 5-6 miles of the route.
2 weeks passed and they don't really feel or look any better. And the pinky feels like a tiny bit of puss weeps through the skin... always feels a little sticky. But not sure about that.
I'm not big on hospitals and I just assume fingers are very basic and there's nothing a doctor could do except tell me to be careful with it until it feels better.
But I guess if anyone has some horror stories where they wished they got a broken finger checked out, let me know. I feel like toughing this out but then I don't want any permanent bad heal that'll mess up my bicycling hobby down the road. I'm 51 and assume things might not heal like some 20-year-old would say "back when they played football and broke their finger".
1 - 20 of 36 Posts
Years ago I had a crash where my wheels slipped out from under me on an icy ladder bridge. Pinky got jammed on a rung on the bridge, it happened so fast my hand was still on the bar when I landed. I didn't get it checked out until a week later when the pain hadn't gone away at all. Xrays showed a spiral fracture of the 5th metacarpal that required surgery. I was told to come back the next morning at 6am for surgery. The surgeon had to re-break the bone since it had started to fuse but was slightly displaced.
In this case the outcome wasn't worse having waited, but it certainly didn't help. I'm not one to see a doctor unless bleeding or broken, but if you are still having issues after a couple weeks I'd definitely get it checked out asap. You don't need to go to a hospital, urgent care or family doctor can arrange an Xray which will quickly tell you if anything is broken. Worst case is that you needed surgery but a break has healed to a point where that is no longer an option. That's where you could have long term effects that might affect your riding. Your hand is a main contact point for riding after all. If not broken, sounds like there is still something wrong that they can treat.
In this case the outcome wasn't worse having waited, but it certainly didn't help. I'm not one to see a doctor unless bleeding or broken, but if you are still having issues after a couple weeks I'd definitely get it checked out asap. You don't need to go to a hospital, urgent care or family doctor can arrange an Xray which will quickly tell you if anything is broken. Worst case is that you needed surgery but a break has healed to a point where that is no longer an option. That's where you could have long term effects that might affect your riding. Your hand is a main contact point for riding after all. If not broken, sounds like there is still something wrong that they can treat.
I have jammed fingers from playing as a soccer goalie. One of them doesn't work exactly right, and was dislocated once as well, but overall they are fine.
I did crash on some ice last Winter and probably broke that last outside bone in my right hand and it took a really long time to get right - like, 'til June. I don't know what was up with that. It's fine now.
-F
I did crash on some ice last Winter and probably broke that last outside bone in my right hand and it took a really long time to get right - like, 'til June. I don't know what was up with that. It's fine now.
-F
you can lose your arm or life in a few hours if an infection takes off
seek actual medical advice asap
seek actual medical advice asap
Pics?Hi folks,
Two weeks ago I crashed and either jammed or broke my pinky and ring fingers. Hard to imagine breaking both at once, so I assume I jammed them. At the time, I just figured they hurt but I ignored it and mountain biked out the last 5-6 miles of the route.
2 weeks passed and they don't really feel or look any better. And the pinky feels like a tiny bit of puss weeps through the skin... always feels a little sticky. But not sure about that.
I'm not big on hospitals and I just assume fingers are very basic and there's nothing a doctor could do except tell me to be careful with it until it feels better.
But I guess if anyone has some horror stories where they wished they got a broken finger checked out, let me know. I feel like toughing this out but then I don't want any permanent bad heal that'll mess up my bicycling hobby down the road. I'm 51 and assume things might not heal like some 20-year-old would say "back when they played football and broke their finger".
Lots of people think a broken finger is no big thing, but it often is, and getting full mobility back often requires some pro PT advice.
But that's one of those quality of life things. Kinda up to you.
The weeping, however.........don't delay. Infections suck.
But that's one of those quality of life things. Kinda up to you.
The weeping, however.........don't delay. Infections suck.
I hardly ever am one to get something looked at.
Reading your post I would say do it. Especially the little finger weirdness.
Infection is bad ju-ju.
Ask questions about infection, heal period, lingering symptoms arthritis chances etc.
Who? A sports Doc Specialist. They see this type injury quite a bit from all sports.
Hopefully there is is one available nearby.
Last insight: Maybe a coach/trainer/ Mom/forum has knowledge of someone.
Cheers
Reading your post I would say do it. Especially the little finger weirdness.
Infection is bad ju-ju.
Ask questions about infection, heal period, lingering symptoms arthritis chances etc.
Who? A sports Doc Specialist. They see this type injury quite a bit from all sports.
Hopefully there is is one available nearby.
Last insight: Maybe a coach/trainer/ Mom/forum has knowledge of someone.
Cheers
From one stubborn old guy to the next, "just get it checked out"
I spent the first 45 years of my life avoiding the doc for stuff like this and now suffer due to that approach...
I spent the first 45 years of my life avoiding the doc for stuff like this and now suffer due to that approach...
Did the same to left hand ring and middle fingers October 2020. Luckily took off Tungsten Carbide wedding ring when I got home (could have gotten ugly). Never had it checked out, still have pain, wedding ring will not fit and I really wish I had taken the time to get it checked out.
Steve
Steve
Whats the worst that could happen?
Do you not have insurance? If you do, then not much excuse not to go.
Pussy discharge is never a good thing.
Do you not have insurance? If you do, then not much excuse not to go.
Pussy discharge is never a good thing.
Lil' off topic, no?Pussy discharge is never a good thing.
perhaps you take time and read the first post again ?Lil' off topic, no?
"2 weeks passed and they don't really feel or look any better. And the pinky feels like a tiny bit of kittens weeps through the skin... always feels a little sticky. But not sure about that. "
Ummm, you read it again.perhaps you take time and read the first post again ?
"2 weeks passed and they don't really feel or look any better. And the pinky feels like a tiny bit of kittens weeps through the skin... always feels a little sticky. But not sure about that. "
Depends on where he jammed his finger...Lil' off topic, no?
The first word of yours that I quoted is a rather spicy homonym.perhaps you take time and read the first post again ?
If you have ended up with a hammer finger (when you tear or break off the tendon that moves your finger) you will also want to seek medical intervention. They require immobilization for many weeks to heal correctly unless you want to pay for the surgery which is an option.
An xray and visit to the Dr sounds like it might be order, especially with the pus thing. Don't lose your arm because you were unsure of how bad it is. Be sure and be safe.
An xray and visit to the Dr sounds like it might be order, especially with the pus thing. Don't lose your arm because you were unsure of how bad it is. Be sure and be safe.
If you think there is any ligament, tendon or muscle damage, you should get it checked out ...especially thumbs. I injured both thumbs and one finger --in separate incidents --to the point where they are not as functional as the used be. I really wish I would have had surgery on both thumbs because not having strong opposing thumbs kinda sucks. The index finger injury just causes a very strange looking peace or "two" hand signal.
After going to see a Dr (I avoid docs too, but it's time for you to go in), no handshakes for a year minimum. Even after you're feeling pretty good, you'll want to risk a handshake, but it will be that one person that thinks it's good to crush your hand for some reason, and that will set your recovery back by weeks if not months.
1 - 20 of 36 Posts
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