The most frustrating thing any athlete can experience on the field is a jammed finger. Whether you’re playing basketball, football, or another sport that requires you to use your hands, having a jammed finger can be extremely painful and make it almost impossible to continue playing. Whether you’re a casual athlete or an avid competitor, jamming your finger is something that can happen to anyone. Luckily there are ways to prevent this from happening as often and some ways to treat it if it does happen. Here we will take a look at how to tape a jammed finger so you can get back in the game sooner and safer than ever before. So let’s get started…
How To Tape A Jammed Finger?
- The first thing you want to do is get the finger as straight as you can. If your finger is bent, it will be nearly impossible for you to tape it because the tape will be trying to bend it back into place. If you are unable to straighten your finger, first use your other hand to hold the bent finger in place while you wrap the tape around it.
- Once the tape has been wrapped around your finger, grab a piece of masking tape and stretch it over the top of your finger so that there is an inch or two of extra on each side of the finger with no part of it exposed. Hold both ends of the piece of masking tape and press them against each other tightly so that they conform around your finger completely. This should ensure that there are no gaps in between where air can get in and cause problems later on down the road.
- Once all of this has been done, you’re ready to begin taping! Grab a roll of athletic tape and start wrapping it around your finger from near where you started with about an inch or two left at all times until all four sides have been covered by athletic tape. The reason for leaving an inch or two at all times is because if any air gets into your fingers through a gap in between where the athletic tape has been wrapped, then when pressure is applied to that area during activity, it will cause pain and possibly lead to further injury if not treated properly and soon enough.
- Once the athletic tape has been wrapped around your finger, get some medical tape and cover the top of your finger with it so that there is no part of it exposed to the air. This is important so that there are no gaps in between where air can get in and cause problems later on down the road from either a lack of oxygen or from being pinched by something while you’re playing.
- Once you have finished covering all of your fingers, you’re ready to go! Go ahead and play your next game and if it does happen again, just repeat the above steps and hopefully, it will be a thing of the past.
Why Does A Finger Get Jammed?
- The most common reason for a jammed finger is because of a lack of flexibility in the joint. This is usually caused when a person gets older due to a lack of overall flexibility or maybe because they have had arthritis or some other condition that has caused them to lose the ability to bend their knuckles, leading to the inability to bend the fingers.
- Another common reason for a jammed finger is because it’s been pinched while playing. This can be quite painful and if you don’t get it fixed as soon as possible, you could end up with an injury that will make it even more difficult for you to play at your normal level of ability.
- The third most common reason for a jammed finger is because of an adductor strain or tear. This type of injury can be quite painful and if left untreated, it could lead to long-term problems with the joint, which could make it even more difficult for you to play at your normal level of ability.
- The fourth most common reason for a jammed finger is because of a ligament injury. This can be quite painful and if left untreated, it could lead to long-term problems with the joint, which could make it even more difficult for you to play at your normal level of ability.
- The fifth most common reason for a jammed finger is because of a bone fracture. This type of injury can be quite painful and if left untreated, it could lead to long-term problems with the joint, which could make it even more difficult for you to play at your normal level of ability.
How To Prevent A Jammed Finger?
- One of the most important things you can do to prevent a jammed finger is to make sure that you stretch the muscles in your hand and fingers regularly. This will help to keep them flexible and strong so that they don’t get pinched or torn while you’re playing.
- The next most important thing you can do is to make sure that your grip on the racquet is strong and tight but not too tight. If your grip is too tight, it will be harder for you to get a good grip on the racquet, which could lead to a jam or even an injury if it does happen.
- The third thing you can do is make sure that your forearms are strong and flexible so that they can support your body weight and give them extra support when you hit the ball during a game of tennis.
- The fourth thing you can do is make sure that your shoulder muscles are strong enough so that they aren’t causing any pain or discomfort when trying to swing the racquet back and forth during play.
When You Shouldn’t Tape A Jammed Finger
- If you tape a jammed finger, the tape can easily come loose and you could end up with a permanent injury.
- If you tape a jammed finger, it will affect your ability to grip the racquet firmly, which could lead to an even more serious injury if it does happen in the future.
- If you tape a jammed finger, it will prevent your muscles from getting the needed extra support and strength when swinging the racquet during play. This could lead to an even more serious injury if it does happen in the future.
Conclusion
A jammed finger can be extremely painful and make it nearly impossible to continue playing sports. There are ways to prevent a jammed finger from happening and ways to treat it once it does happen. When you know how to tape a jammed finger and when you shouldn’t tape a jammed finger, you’ll be able to get back in the game faster than ever before. When you have a jammed finger, make sure you are taping it correctly so you don’t cause further damage to your finger.
FAQ’s
Q: Should I tape a jammed finger?
A: It depends on the type of injury. Sometimes you should tape a jammed finger, other times you shouldn’t tape it at all. If you have a torn ligament, you probably shouldn’t tape it at all. If you just have some swelling and pain, then it might not be necessary to tape it at all. If there is any chance that the muscle could be torn or if the bone is being pinched, then it would be best to tape your finger to prevent further damage.
Q: How do I know if I should tape my finger?
A: There are many different ways that you can check to see if your finger is still jammed or not. The easiest way to check is by pressing on the tip of your finger. You can also press down on your wrist and see how far down the muscle goes into your hand (if possible). Another way that you can check is by holding up your hand so that the palm faces upwards and then pressing down on one of your fingers with something like a pen or pencil and seeing if there is any movement in between your fingernail and skin.
Q: What types of things should I avoid taping when my hand is jammed?
A: When taping a jammed finger, try not to use too much pressure as this could cause more damage than good. It would also be best for you to tape your finger in a way that the tape will allow your muscles to get extra support and strength. Try not to pull on the skin as this could cause more damage.