Your finger has an avulsion of the flexor tendon called a jersey finger
This means the tendon that bends the tip of your finger has pulled away from the bone
Surgery is almost always needed to fix this properly
Keep your splint on at all times
Do not remove the splint until told by your hand surgeon
If it gets wet or feels too tight, return to the emergency department
Ice and elevation
Apply ice wrapped in a cloth for 15-20 minutes every 2 hours for the first 48 hours
Keep your hand elevated above heart level to reduce swelling
Pain medications
Ibuprofen or naproxen with food as directed
Acetaminophen as directed
Take both together if pain is not controlled with one
Follow-up instructions
Hand surgery appointment
You must see a hand surgeon within 24-48 hours if injury happened today or yesterday
If injury happened more than a few days ago, see a hand surgeon within the week
Do not wait; delays cause permanent inability to bend the fingertip
Do not use the injured hand
No gripping, lifting, or pushing until cleared by hand surgeon
Warning signs to return to the emergency department
Increasing pain, swelling, or redness despite keeping splint on
Could indicate infection or worsening injury
Numbness or cold discolouration of the fingertip
Could indicate loss of blood supply
Fever above 38.5 degrees Celsius
Suggests possible infection
Splint feels too tight or cutting off circulation
You cannot attend the hand surgery follow-up appointment
Return to emergency for reassessment if unable to get specialist care
References
Guidelines and key sources
Primary references
Leddy JP, Packer JW. Avulsion of the profundus tendon insertion in athletes. Journal of Hand Surgery, 1977
Original classification system for jersey finger
Foundation of all subsequent management algorithms
Ruchelsman DE, Mudgal CS. Flexor tendon injuries in the hand. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2011
Comprehensive review of FDP avulsion management
American Society for Surgery of the Hand position on flexor tendon avulsions
Supports urgent referral within 24-48 hours for Type I injuries
Emergency medicine references
Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide - hand injuries chapter
Standard ED approach to jersey finger including splinting and referral protocols
Roberts and Hedges Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine - flexor tendon injuries
Point-of-care assessment and disposition guidance
Coding standards
ICD-10 S66.1 injury of flexor tendon at wrist and hand level
Specific codes vary by digit and laterality
ICD-10 M66.3 spontaneous rupture of flexor tendons for atraumatic presentations
SNOMED CT 444798002 avulsion of flexor digitorum profundus tendon
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