A jammed finger treatment, a common basketball injury

If you've played basketball for any amount of time, this probably has happened to you.

You're going up for a rebound. Or you're trying to steal a pass from the other team. Or your dribbling was disrupted by a defender.

Whatever the case, the ball was deflected and awkwardly struck the tip of one of your fingers. In most cases, the pain isn't serious, but it's real.

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.

If your finger looks crooked or dislocated or is unbearably painful, see a doctor immediately. You may have broken your finger, which is more serious. But if your finger looks normal except for a little swelling and stiffness, a doctor may not be necessary.

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.

After a few days of rest and ice, slowly begin to work your finger back into shape. Start to bend it slightly--putting yourself only through minimal pain--as you work the swelling out of the joint. You know your body best so trust your pain tolerance. If it still hurts, don't push it.

In most cases, a little ice, a little rest and a little time is all that's needed to mend a jammed finger. Some injuries are more serious and require the attention of a doctor.

Either way, your finger should recover before long and before you know it, you'll be back on the court healthier than ever.

Warts on fingers, Learn how to quickly remove

Introduction – Warts on Fingers can be unsightly and embarrassing. Learn how to quickly remove finger warts.

Warts are a common skin condition that affects millions of individuals. These small bumps will appear most commonly on the hands and fingers. Warts are the result of a virus called HPV. There are hundreds of different strains of the this virus with each type of strain causing warts in a different location of the body. If you find you have warts on fingers, then you need to learn how to get eliminate them to avoid embarrassment.

Wart removal is a simple process. You can choose to get rid of hand and finger warts with an over the counter medication or an easy home remedy. It is important that you realize the wart may return after removal. There is no medication that gets rid of the virus that causes these warts. It is comforting to know the warts are not harmful to your health.

You can pay a visit to your local pharmacy to find over the counter wart medications. These medicines are easy to use, but they may be expensive. If you don't like the idea of putting harsh chemicals on your skin, you can always try the duct tape method of wart removal. This method has been used by thousands of individuals with great success. All you need to do is apply duct to the warts on fingers and leave in place for several days. You should notice a change in the appearance of your warts after a few days. This method is not practical if you have a lot of warts on your hands.

How do you treat your warts if you have a lot of them on your hands and fingers? The best treatment method you can use is a natural homeopathic wart removal cream. When looking for a natural cream you want to make sure it is made from natural plant sources. The best of these creams have been put through rigorous testing in the lab to make sure they are safe to use while being effective against warts. Compare the various types of creams by researching online. A great wart cream will be cost-effective and simple to use.

You can get rid of warts on fingers if you find the right treatment. It is important that you do some research to find the best treatment available. When you are looking for the best treatment, think about how many warts you have and the size of these warts. Not all warts can be treated with over the counter medication. Regardless, it is a good idea to try a natural cure for your warts. A natural treatment will cut down on your risk for experiencing side effects that may come from the harsh chemical used in wart medications.

Trigger finger treatment Self-care and Prevention

What is Trigger Finger?

Trigger finger, or stenosing tenosynovitis, is a painful condition of the hand associated with a clicking sensation during finger extension, or locking in a bent position during gripping activities.

A 'pop' or 'click' is felt as you straighten your finger or thumb, much like a trigger being pulled and released. This is often associated with pain in palm at the base of the affected finger. In severe cases, the finger may become locked in a bent position.

Signs & Symptoms of Trigger Finger

Trigger finger symptoms usually progress from mild to severe and often begin with finger stiffness, especially in the mornings. It can affect any of the fingers or the thumb. A painful clicking or snapping sensation is felt as you flex and extend your finger.

Occasionally, a tender lump or nodule can be felt at the base of the affected finger (in the palm). As the condition progresses, fingers can sometimes be locked in a bent position and unable to straighten.

Causes & Risk factors for Trigger Finger

Trigger finger is caused by local swelling due to inflammation of the flexor tendon sheath of the affected finger, at the level of the palm. This may be due to repetitive strain injury, overuse or underlying inflammatory conditions. As the space within the tendon sheath narrows, it hinders the smooth gliding of the tendon, and causes catching of the finger in a bent position before popping straight.

As the catching persists, the tendon itself becomes irritated and inflamed, worsening the problem. Scarring and thickening (fibrosis) can occur and bumps (nodules) can form with prolonged inflammation.

Work or hobbies that require repetitive gripping actions increase the risk this inflammation. Female gender, patients with diabetes or underlying conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis are also at increased risk.

Treatments for Trigger Finger

Trigger finger treatments depend on the severity of the condition.

In the early stages, rest, splinting and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications such as naproxen, ibuprofen or diclofenac can relieve the inflammation and swelling that led to the constriction of the tendon sheath and trapping of the tendon, and relieves the pain associated with trigger finger.

A local steroid injection (e.g. cortisone), in the region of the tendon sheath is a rapid and effective treatment that will reduce inflammation of the sheath. Injections are most effective when given soon after symptoms begin and may be repeated if necessary, although repeated injections may not be as effective as the initial injection and carrying increased risks of potential side effects. Steroid injections may not be as effective in people with other medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes.

Hand surgery is recommended for cases that are unresponsive to the above treatments, or for trigger fingers that persists or recurs after two steroid injections. The procedure involves the release of the locked finger through a small incision in the palm and is often performed under local anesthesia as a day surgery or clinic-based procedure.

Self-care and Prevention

Gentle finger exercises and stretching of the affected finger can help maintain mobility of the finger.

To rest the fingers, avoid activities that involve repetitive gripping, grasping and the use of vibrating machinery for three or four weeks.

Soaking your hands in warm water, especially in the morning, helps relieve stiffness and may reduce the severity of the catching sensation during the day. This can be repeated several times throughout the day.

Gentle massage of the affected fingers doesn't reduce inflammation, but does little harm and may feel good and helps relieve your pain.