Is there a doctor in the house?

[Desnudo]

Thinking of Eaglesfan27 or anyone else. I'm trying to figure out if I have a broken pinky or just a jammed one. I fell on it hard and it hurts like I jammed it, which has happened plenty of times. However, an hour or two later it became swollen and shows bruising on the palm side (only) from the joint connecting it to the palm to the tip joint. I'm basically trying to figure out if I need to see a doctor or can just tape it and move on. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

[Chubby]

Jams can swell up too, if you're not in excrutiating pain then it's prob just a jam. Watch for bruising, jams don't turn purple :)

[Eaglesfan27]

It's really hard to say without examining it. Even then, pinky fractures are very hard (darn near impossible) to prove or disprove without an X-Ray. From your description (particularly the quick bruising), you would have definitely needed at least an X-ray if you presented to the ED when I was an intern. I'd likely get it looked at, if for no other reason as to make sure you didn't break more than the pinky.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dola -

I'd also be a little worried about the surrounding vasculature with your description. Is the finger cold at all? Good capillary refill? Those are other factors to consider.

[TargetPractice6]

They call me Doctor Love.

[Ben E Lou]

Put some 'tussin on it. Let that 'tussin work down to the BONE!

[Desnudo]

Put some 'tussin on it. Let that 'tussin work down to the BONE!

Is that Southernise for some kind of horse tranquilizer?

"It's really hard to say without examining it. Even then, pinky fractures are very hard (darn near impossible) to prove or disprove without an X-Ray. From your description (particularly the quick bruising), you would have definitely needed at least an X-ray if you presented to the ED when I was an intern. I'd likely get it looked at, if for no other reason as to make sure you didn't break more than the pinky."

I was afraid you were going to say that. The bruising spread all over the underside of my pinkie, now a 1/4 inch shorter than my other one, and is now a deep angry purple. Thank you for the help. I don't have a fear of doctors, but I do have a fear of ERs, crazy people, and long waits. ;)

[Ben E Lou]

Is that Southernise for some kind of horse tranquilizer?Nah. Chris Rock routine....

[KevinNU7]

Playing volleyball for 5 years I broken and sprained by pinkies dozens of times. My practice was always, If I can fully bend it down them I'm good to go.

Also, any time my pinky was actually broken the doctor jsut put it on it's own little split taped to my ring finger, it's preety difficult to actually set the bone unlike large areas of the body.

[Glengoyne]

I once shattered the second joint in my pinky. It was extended fully and severely jammed. No one believed that it was actually broken at first. I became convinced when I opened a refrigerator door that "stuck" a little bit. I opened the door with my right hand, and the pinky on my left hand hurt like hell with the slight but sudden jarring.

The doctor wanted to do surgery, but I refused. I still ended up with a cast that stopped just short of my elbow. Now, every winter, I curse my decision to skip the surgery, because the joint "pops" every time I flex my finger.

[Desnudo]

I once shattered the second joint in my pinky. It was extended fully and severely jammed. No one believed that it was actually broken at first. I became convinced when I opened a refrigerator door that "stuck" a little bit. I opened the door with my right hand, and the pinky on my left hand hurt like hell with the slight but sudden jarring.

The doctor wanted to do surgery, but I refused. I still ended up with a cast that stopped just short of my elbow. Now, every winter, I curse my decision to skip the surgery, because the joint "pops" every time I flex my finger.

At least when you're an old man you'll be able to predict weather.

[miked]

I would definately get it checked out. I fractured my thumb skiing and didn't even really know. It hurt, but it wasn't excruciating. It's called an avulsion fracture and it happens quite frequently. Pinkie fractures are the same, you never really know until it's x-rayed. I would just go down and get it x-rayed...bring a book.

[rkmsuf]

Just try and relax Mr. Babar.

[Samdari]

I would definately get it checked out. I fractured my thumb skiing and didn't even really know. It hurt, but it wasn't excruciating. It's called an avulsion fracture and it happens quite frequently. Pinkie fractures are the same, you never really know until it's x-rayed. I would just go down and get it x-rayed...bring a book.

Wow, you can spell excruciating, but not definitely.

[Ksyrup]

Just try and relax Mr. Babar.
That's 2 b's, not 1, Dr. Rosenpenis.

[rkmsuf]

That's 2 b's, not 1, Dr. Rosenpenis.

"Mooooonnnnn River..."

[bbor]

Masterbating with a splint is very special.

[miked]

Wow, you can spell excruciating, but not definitely.

Me talk pretty some day.

This is the doing of spell check.

[Mr. Wednesday]

Thinking of Eaglesfan27 or anyone else. I'm trying to figure out if I have a broken pinky or just a jammed one. I fell on it hard and it hurts like I jammed it, which has happened plenty of times. However, an hour or two later it became swollen and shows bruising on the palm side (only) from the joint connecting it to the palm to the tip joint. I'm basically trying to figure out if I need to see a doctor or can just tape it and move on. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.I had something like that happen to me -- I fell on my left pinky the wrong way playing ultimate, it hurt like hell when I did it, I iced it a little and got it taped up, and when I took the tape off, the whole finger had turned all kinds of colors with bruising extending down into the palm. Since I still had full range of motion with it (within the limits of the swelling), I decided not to worry about a possible fracture, and it healed just fine. I may or may not have been lucky in that regard.

[judicial clerk]

Get it looked at so that you don't end up with fingers that point every which way like NFL offensive lineman. Has anybody seen Anthony Munoz's fingers? They are F'd up.

[BigJohn&TheLions]

If it hurts, it's probably just a sprain. Grab the finger and pull. If it hurts then, it's a sprain. If it feels like that is somthing you really shouldn't have done as the tears roll down your cheeks, then my friend it is broken.