No, I'm not giving you 'the finger'

[nova_myth]

I jammed my left middle finger during racquetball class today. I was running across the court to catch/hit a ball during a three-player game. I got the ball, I don't remember if my hit was any good or not, but I ran straight into the wall. I was expecting to and meant to put my left arm infront of my chest only I didn't have fast enough reflex and my hand, ultimately my middle finger, took the worst of it. I don't think its broken, it doesn't hurt that much I suppose, but its swollen a little bit around the middle knuckle. I've iced it twice after class and my co-worker who is working on passing his nursing exam splinted and wrapped it, I really didn't think about it till later it was a good idea, else people might have assumed I was 'giving them the finger' because I don't make it bend as it hurts too much. I can bend it, but it hurts. If its like this or worse in the morning I might go to the clinic before a meeting I have at campus.

I've never had a broken bone before, so I'm kinda clueless....

Comments

[mscatmoon.livejournal.com]

Those fingers can be tricky things, just hit it the wrong way and... I once broke my pinkie finger just by catching it in my pants as I was getting dressed. There was NO pain at all -- but I did know it was broken because the top joint was hanging at an unnatural angle. The stupid doctor at the hospital though, told me it wasn't broken! I didn't really believe him, then next day the hospital called because the X-ray tech had been looking at my X-ray and saw the misdiagnosis. By then it was already too late, I would have had to have my finger re-broken to fix it right so I just put a splint on it and let it heal. To this day it doesn't straighten up all the way though. I also once had a teacher who walked around on a broken ankle for a week without realizing it. Well, I hope my story helps you. Short version: you won't know if it's broken or not for sure unless you get it X-rayed.