So today I wanna talk about something kinda stupid but surprisingly annoying – my pinky finger. Yeah, the little guy. Felt like sharing how I figured out whether that flimsy little finger splint was actually worth it or just another gimmick taking up space in my bathroom drawer.
The Dumbest Little Injury
Started last Wednesday. Was trying to unstick that damn heavy window in my living room – the one that never slides right. Gave it a proper yank, palm flat against the frame. Felt a small pop in my left pinky. Not like a loud crack, just a quiet little snick. Didn’t hurt much then, just felt… weird. Like my finger suddenly forgot how to be straight. Figured I just “jammed” it. You know, like in grade school basketball? Wrap it up, forget about it, right?
The Ignoring Phase (Didn’t Work)
Threw on some sports tape real quick, made it buddy-taped to the ring finger. Carried on. Typing? A bit awkward, but okay. Brushing my teeth? Weird feeling. Opening the car door? Yeah, that sent a jolt. Thought maybe it just needed more time. Stubborn, I guess. Kept taping it every morning.
Then Saturday comes. Reaching into the back pocket of my jeans for my wallet. My pinky lightly snagged on the pocket seam. Lightning bolt up my hand! Pure fire. Dropped the wallet, grabbed my hand, and just stood there swearing under my breath. That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a “jammed” finger anymore.
Actually Looking at It Properly
Saw it was definitely swollen around the middle joint. Didn’t look bent weird, thankfully. But bending it towards my palm? Forget it. Couldn’t close my fist all the way without serious pain. Pulling it straight? Worse. Tried the “grip test” – wrapping my hand around something small, like a soda can. Nope. Not happening. The pinky just wouldn’t cooperate and hurt like hell when I tried to make it.
Decision Time: To Splint or Not To Splint?
So, here’s where I had to actually think, not just tough it out:
- Pain doing nothing? Low, unless I bumped it. Okay.
- Pain trying to use it? High, especially twisting or bending.
- Weakness? Couldn’t grip properly with that side of my hand.
- Swelling & Tenderness? Yes, right on the joint.
- Joint feel unstable? Hard to say, but it did hurt like it might give way when stressed.
Decided yeah, probably a ligament thing. Needed to stop it from bending sideways and give it a real chance to heal. Time to wuss out and buy the splint.
The Great Pharmacy Splint Hunt
Walked into the drugstore feeling a bit silly. Looked at the “first aid” aisle. Found the finger splints. Most were these huge, bulky things meant for bigger fingers or broken bones. Finally spotted one box buried at the back – a small aluminum splint pad with foam padding. Said it was for sprains, and it looked like it might fit my pinky.
Figuring Out the Damn Thing
Got home. Opened the box. Two thin foam-covered metal strips. Instructions looked like they were drawn by a drunk spider. Took a minute to work out the foam was the side touching my finger. Had to bend the metal carefully to fit the curve of my finger, making sure the joint was centered over the pad. Wrapped it tight but not cutting-off-circulation-tight with the tiny roll of medical tape that came with it. Felt rigid. Good. Looked ridiculous.
Living With a Pinky Cast
Wore it for almost everything for the next four days, only taking it off carefully to shower and wash the area. Key things I learned:
- Bumping it hurts WAY less. The metal took the hit.
- Totally stopped me from bending it sideways. Couldn’t jam it accidentally.
- Annoying as hell for typing. Made me slow down.
- Sleeping is weird. Kept catching the sheets.
- Shrinks the swelling way faster. Keeping it straight and protected let the inflammation actually chill out.
After four days, things felt WAY better. Could bend the fingertip joint a little without the big sharp pain in the middle joint. Still felt a bit tender, so kept wearing the splint for heavy stuff like lifting. Slowly needed it less. The key was really not letting myself re-injure it constantly.
So, when do you really need that dinky splint? Pretty much when ignoring the problem starts costing you more in pain and daily hassle than putting a tiny metal strip on your finger. If touching it hurts, bending it hurts, gripping stuff hurts, and you keep bashing it making it worse? Yeah, get the splint. It’s annoying but way better than a finger that takes months to heal right.
