OpenHealth Q&A

It sounds like you may have experienced some soft tissue injury in your finger, which can include a strain or a minor sprain, rather than a burst blood vessel. Your symptoms of sharp pain, sensitivity to touch, and temporary loss of movement point towards this. Fortunately, it's common for these types of injuries to improve relatively quickly, especially since you regained full function soon after the incident.

Here’s an explanation: When you drop or stress a part of your body, the ligaments, tendons, or small blood vessels in that area can become irritated or slightly damaged. If your finger appears more swollen or discolored now, that could indicate some inflammation. It’s important to monitor the situation to prevent further irritation, especially since physical activity brought on some discomfort.

Next Steps:

1. Rest Your Finger: Avoid using the injured finger as much as possible to allow it to heal.
2. Ice the Area: Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to your finger for about 15-20 minutes every hour as needed. This can help reduce swelling and numbs the pain.
3. Elevate: Keep your hand elevated above heart level to help decrease swelling.
4. Pain Relief: You can consider over-the-counter pain relief like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, following the dosage instructions on the label.
5. Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your symptoms for improvement. If swelling increases, or if you experience severe pain, persistent numbness, or if your finger looks significantly discolored, further evaluation may be necessary.

If you continue to have concerns or your symptoms do not improve in a few days, consider reaching out for a professional evaluation to ensure there are no underlying injuries. Let me know if you need more specific details!