When (and How) to Get Stuck Rings Removed with a Finger Injury

This weekend I was throwing a piece of wood into a tree to rescue a ball. It was so much fun to do with about 7 kids, until the wood came back towards me, instead of away. I banged my finger trying to fend it, and it felt quite sore (kind of like a netball on the top of the finger), but I didn't really pay much attention.

Unfortunately, and unusually, my rings were on. The finger injury caused significant swelling and the ring got stuck.

Over the day it started swelling, but it was fine and I wasn't bothered by it doing all my normal tasks, until I went to the gym. I found my grip was a bit achey and the finger felt quite fat. And a bit sore...

What To Do With A Swollen and Injured Finger

I iced it, elevated it and tried not to annoy it, and then realised it wasn't getting better.

I know that wearing compression clothing/braces at night is uncomfortable, because at night, you will swell a little due to being still, being horizontal and less venous return from muscle contractions. So, I started to get a little worried. Because a ring is quite a lot of compression. And my finger was already swollen.

I tried a few things to get the ring off, including oil, dishwashing liquid, my finger in icy water for 10 minutes, then as above, the dental floss method, (which I tried three times) and then just wishing and hoping which didn't help at all.

I started to travel to the fire-station to get my ring removed, but decided it wasn't that bad. Mostly, I didn't want to travel 30 minutes in case I mucked them around. So I turned around.

Then I sat at home for half an hour, took the photo below, sent it to my friend, and changed my mind when I got the response from him. Also note that it's good to get impartial advice. I'm relatively smart when it comes to other people, but have no perspective when it comes to myself. (See below!)

I like having broad ground rules for decision making. Here's what I've created for myself if there is ever a next time.

When Should I get my ring removed?

1. if you have any concerns about your circulation. Once you lose circulation, you don't have heaps of time, you should get it checked by a medical professional quick smart

   1. What that looks like?

      1. Change in colour (pink and not changing, purple)

      2. change in capillary refill (when you press on your nail bed it stays white or is more than 3 seconds to change back to pink)

      3. numbness in the finger (go straight to A&E)

      4. Tingling

      5. Throbbing

2. If you have concerns about your finger - go to A&E

3. If it's bleeding and swollen - go to A&E

4. If there is pus - go to A&E

5. If there is a question here that I haven't answered and you are concerned - go to A&E

6. If the ring is misshapen and won't ever come off again - and the finger is ok - and the jeweller is open, get a jeweller to take it off.

7. If the finger is not ok - go to A&E.

How to get your ring removed

1. Best choice - a jeweller. If you are lucky (?) enough to be

   1. near a jeweller and

   2. there during opening hours, a jeweller has a special ring cutter and will do a beautiful job of it.

2. If you aren't too concerned about the health of the finger as long as the ring comes off - your local fire station may have a ring remover.

   1. They could use

      1. clippers,

      2. a mechanical cutter

      3. or a ring cutter (or other options).

      4. NOTE: It can get hot as the metal is cut, so someone will spray water on the ring to keep it cold.

      5. Communicate with them.

      6. I rang them beforehand and took them produce.

3. The hospital - if you have any concerns about the health of your finger then your first call should be A&E. They may still send you to the Fire Station, but your finger is handy attached to your hand. (Pun not intended, but I kept it there anyway). You are welcome.

   
   

What To Do With The Ring

Once that ring is off you are going to need to

1. Put it in a ziplock bag and then -

2. Keep it somewhere safe.

3. get in touch with your insurance company

4. get the ring in to your preferred jeweller to get it repaired.

   Honestly, I'm not sure how they get fixed.

5. I've seen rings with a single snip be "welded" back together with hardly any noticeable spots, but I'm not sure what will happen with mine. I've been in touch with my ring designer, and she's arranged for a goldsmith to repair it.

6. You will need to wait until your finger is back to normal to repair

7. Tissue recovery is normally at least 6 weeks, so pay attention to that

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What To Do With Your Finger

1. Keep it moving as comfortably as possible

2. If it isn't settling (3 days max) get in to see a hand physiotherapist (or any physiotherapist if there are no hand therapists around), or your GP

3. If you think it is broken, a physio or GP can refer you for an X-Ray

4. If it's possible soft tissue damage - either of the above can refer for an ultrasound

5. If you can't straighten your knuckle - you urgently need to get into a hand therapist, get a splint and KEEP IT ON as you are instructed

If you don't know what to do with your injury or niggle and haven't got anyone you can get into easily, give me a bell and I can see you online/in-person and direct you to the right people. storm@thatfarmingphysio.com