My son who is 12 dislocated his finger today while snow boarding. We took him to the ER and they xrayed it. It showed no fracture so he set his finger back. But, then said he could go about his business normally. No splint, taping, or bandaged. I was amazed that this is all that needed to be done. His finger looked horrible and still does. He was and is in a great deal of pain. We were sent on our way with a printout but no instructions as to how to handle this. I did some research on the internet and it says he should have gotten a splint or something.
Has anyone dealt with this kind of injury and how should I handle it? I dont want him to make it worse. He is miserable.
All help is greatly appreciated. Thanks again moms.
My son just got over a dislocated finger. After he first did it we popped it back into place and it would just pop out again. Finally, I suggested that he wear a weightlifting glove and keep it in place but let it grow strong again. He did it for about a week and it is all healed now.
Get some arnica cream at the health food store and use it several times a day to alleviate the pain and bruising. Keep it around. If he is athletic this won't be the last time he suffers an injury.
You can also get homeopathic arnica in 30c. In injury or surgery take it four times a day for four days. Or in a fresh injury take it every half hour for two hours. Then four times a day. Once the swelling or bruising is gone stop.
You can go online to read up on arnica ....full name arnica montana.
I am the wife of a rugby player, so I have WAY too much experience with this type of thing. As long as nothing's broken, ice the swelling for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. Elevate his hand above heart level. Anti-inflammatories help. Yeah, it hurts like heck, but that's the price you pay when you play extreme sports. =) It's going to feel even worse tomorrow, I am sorry to report. My husband and his teammates all have a little "pharmacy" in their homes of various painkillers. I'm not sure a pediatrician would prescribe Darvocet or Vicodin, though. Give him whatever Advil or Motrin you have around the house, and keep giving it to him every couple of hours. I have seen my husband and other teammates given splints for their various dislocations, and in almost every case they took the splint off immediately, and none of them are maimed for life or anything.
Dear mom-
I have many kids who are athletes (and/or dare devils...!) and for dislocated 'digits'...the docs have never 'splinted' as they deemed it un necessary. I, however keep splints (ace bandages etc) around NOT because it helps it mend...but helps 'protect' it a bit from other bumps while healing. A gentle reminder of the 'boo boo' if you will.
I agree with the icing...elevation...and motrin/tylenol combo for a bit.
Hope he feels better!
Michele/cat
*never underestimate a mom's kiss...even from afar...in 'boo boo' healing...no matter the age of the injured! That...and chicken soup!! lol
Our pastor plays rugby and jammed his finger... same thing happened. You could always tape it so that it is a little more immobilized. The big worry is that there was a fracture, and if that was ruled out, then it may just take a little time.
i would call the drs office and ask them-or you can go to walgreens an buy a splint...good luck...
tape it straight to a splint and lots of tylenol
i fell and did that also. My finger still is crooked, but looks better then it did ever since I started pulling it in the fashion that they do when you get a manicure. My suggestion would be to go to a Chiropractor or get it massaged.
I like the other suggestions, but if it doesn't heal/feel better in a few days, it's worth visiting the Doctor again. My son's breaks didn't show up on the xray until weeks later as healing tissue (though we did treat it like a break given his refusal to walk). And my brother seriously damaged his thumb playing soccer, was put in a splint but in the end needed a cast for a month. It all depends, as they say!
