“Jersey Finger”—You Got a Problem with That?
Jersey finger refers to an injury that occurs when a finger gets caught in an opponent’s shirt.
It often occurs in a football or rugby game and can lead to a painful and sometimes severe condition.
Let’s break down:
- What is Jersey finger?
- How does Jersey finger happen?
- Risk Factors and Scenarios
- Severity and Impact
- Treatment Options
- Physical therapy for Jersey finger
What Is Jersey Finger?
What is “jersey finger”? Well, it has nothing to do with the state of New Jersey.
- Jersey finger is an injury involving the flexor tendon in your finger. This tendon is crucial because it allows you to bend and move your fingers.
- When you’re in the heat of the game and grab onto an opponent’s jersey to make a tackle, your finger can get caught in the fabric.
- If the force is strong enough, the flexor tendon rips, usually at the top joint, and may snap back to the base of the finger or even into the palm of the hand.
Symptoms of Jersey Finger
If you’re dealing with jersey finger, here are some signs to watch out for:
- Pain: Sharp or throbbing pain at the tip of the finger or around the joint is common. This pain usually intensifies when you try to move the finger.
- Swelling: The affected finger might swell up, making it look puffy compared to the others.
- Inability to Bend: One of the most noticeable symptoms is the inability to bend the tip of the finger. You might be able to bend the rest of your finger, but the tip remains stiff.
- Tenderness: The finger will likely be tender to the touch, especially around the joint where the tendon has torn.
- Bruising: Some bruising might appear around the injury site, though it’s not always present.
- Deformity: In severe cases, you might notice a noticeable deformity or an abnormal position of the finger.
How Does Jersey Finger Happen?
The Mechanism of Injury
Jersey finger typically occurs in sports where players engage in close physical contact and tackling.
Here’s how it usually unfolds:
- The Tackle Attempt: During a tackle or a block, a player might reach out to grab their opponent’s jersey to gain control or slow them down. This move is often made quickly and with significant force.
- Finger Entanglement: As the player’s hand closes around the jersey, their finger can get caught in the fabric. If the jersey is pulled or tugged suddenly, it creates a force that can cause the finger to stretch awkwardly.
- Tendon Overstretch: The flexor tendon, which runs along the finger and allows it to bend, may be overstretched or pulled beyond its normal range of motion. This overstretching can result in the tendon tearing or rupturing.
- Impact Force: The severity of the injury can be influenced by the impact force. For instance, if the player’s finger is caught in the jersey and then the opponent’s body or another object impacts it, the force can exacerbate the tear.
Risk Factors and Scenarios
Certain factors can increase the likelihood of sustaining a jersey finger:
- High Contact Sports: Sports like football and rugby, where players frequently grab and pull on each other’s clothing, have a higher risk for this injury.
- Aggressive Play: Players who are particularly aggressive or use forceful techniques are more prone to such injuries.
- Improper Technique: Sometimes, improper tackling or grabbing techniques can put additional strain on the fingers, leading to jersey finger.
Severity and Impact
There are various severities of jersey finger, and the type you have determines the type of treatment you will receive.
- Partial Rupture: If only a part of the tendon is torn, the injury might be less severe. You might still be able to move your finger to some extent, but it will be painful and limited. If the injury involves just a partial rupture of the tendon, your physician may decide that it can be treated with a finger splint, rest, ice, and elevation.
- Full Tendon Rupture or Rupture with Bone Chip: When the tendon is completely torn or if there’s a bone chip attached, the damage is more significant and the finger will not heal on its own. Surgery will be required to repair soft-tissue damage and restore your finger’s ability to bend or move.
Treatment Options for Jersey Finger
1) Initial Care for Partial Ruptures
For a partial rupture of the flexor tendon, the treatment usually involves non-surgical methods:
- Finger Splint: This helps to keep the finger in a stable position to promote healing.
- Rest: Avoid using the injured finger to prevent further damage.
- Ice and Elevation: These measures help reduce swelling and pain.
2) Surgical Treatment for Complete Ruptures
When the tendon is fully ruptured or if there’s an associated bone chip, surgery becomes necessary.
Here’s a breakdown of what happens during the surgical procedure:
- Tendon Location: The surgeon first locates the tendon, which might have retracted the base of the finger or palm.
- Repositioning: The surgeon then threads the tendon up through the finger into the correct position.
- Reattachment: Finally, the surgeon reattaches the tendon to the tip of the finger.
This surgery is complex and involves risks, including scarring.
After the procedure, you’ll need to start physical therapy to regain full function of your finger.
3) Post-Surgery Recovery and Rehabilitation
These surgical procedures can be very difficult, and scarring is common.
Soon after surgery, you will begin physical therapy.
Specific exercises will help you to gradually regain range of motion and function. Stiffness after surgery is common, but it usually responds to physical therapy.
– Physical Therapy for Jersey Finger
Following surgery, physical therapy is essential for a successful recovery.
Along with your surgeon, your physical therapist will develop a rehabilitation program that speeds your recovery and helps to prevent a dangerous re-rupture of the tendon.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Rehabilitation Exercises: Specific exercises will help you gradually regain your finger’s range of motion and strength.
- Managing Stiffness: It’s common to experience stiffness after surgery, but it usually responds well to therapy.
- Preventing Re-rupture: Your physical therapist will develop a program tailored to prevent re-rupture and ensure a safe recovery.
Did you know you have Direct Access* to Physical Therapy? No referral, no problem!
Conclusion
Jersey finger is a serious injury that can have a significant impact on your ability to use your hand.
Knowing how Jersey finger occurs and how to treat it is key for a full recovery.
If you experience symptoms of Jersey finger, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice to get back to your game with full functionality.
Together, we can help you recover safely.
The Jackson Clinics serves 18 locations throughout Northern Virginia.
Find one near you: https://thejacksonclinics.com/locations/