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If you have a sprained or broken finger, call you doctor or visit an urgent care center for treatment. Your healthcare provider will assess the injured finger and apply an appropriate splint for the location and type of injury. They may also need to realign the finger before placing it in a splint, but they'll give you a local anesthetic to numb the finger first. The sooner you get treatment for a sprained or broken finger, the better. Depending on the severity of the injury, it may take up to 3 to 4 months to heal. But delaying treatment can delay healing and lead to other complications, such as a skin infection. Your doctor will likely order X-rays to see if the finger is broken, dislocated, or sprained. This can help them to determine what type of splint will work best and whether they need to realign the bones before applying a splint. After your doctor reviews the X-rays, they can determine what type of splint will work best and apply it. There are different types of splints and your doctor will choose the best option depending on the location and type of injury. Some common types include: Mallet finger splint for correcting a finger that you cannot straighten Aluminum U-shaped splint for a distal phalangeal fracture Dorsal extension block splint for a joint dislocation If you cut your finger, your doctor will likely recommend a tetanus shot to protect you against tetanus. They may also recommend a topical or oral antibiotic to prevent a skin infection. If your finger is severely injured, it may not heal properly without surgery. Discuss surgical repair options with your doctor if they recommend surgery. However, keep in mind that this is uncommon. Most finger injuries heal well with a splint in about 4 to 8 weeks.
See a doctor for an injured finger as soon as possible. Get X-rays to determine what type of injury you have. Let the healthcare professional apply a splint to your injured finger. Get a tetanus shot and antibiotics if the finger was cut. Discuss surgical options with your doctor if the injury is severe.