sprain of index finger collateral ligament-help!

[EKnee08]

Has anybody had experience with the following:

Over 3 weeks ago I was playing in a drill group and returning serve against a good player with a serve at least 110 mph with alot of action and penetration. I got my racquet on the ball but my grip slipped and the racquet twisted in my hand pushing my index finger in a strange position. The feel was somewhat similar to jamming a finger while playing basketball.
It hurt quite a bit but I played through it for the remainder of the session. It did not blow up but I iced it and rested for almost a week
I felt no discomfort except when writing. After restin for a week I went back to the drill and play and reinjured the index finger from an even harder serve.

I stayed off it for a week but then went to the sports orthopedist for a follow-up of another unrelated injury. My orthopedist said it was a sprain of the collateral ligament of my index finger (on the side of my index finger adjoining my thumb) and to just stay off it another week and then I could return to playing.

I waited another 10 days and went back on court. On my third forehand, the pain came back. Because 3 other guys were relying on me to play, I played through it by changing my forehand grip. There was no discomfort on hitting any other stroke.
After playing, I again iced it, etc.

The next morning, I asked my physical therapist who works in my building to look at it and he concurred that I had a sprain of a collateral ligament on my index finger (on the side closest to my thumb). The PT said I could play through it without causing any further damage and without affecting how long it would take to heal. He just recommended that I tape it before playing.

Anyone have any experience with this injury and have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

 

[mike53]

I got this on my right pinkie finger from playing football. It has bothered me for a month now. I tape it daily before tennis or any other "ball" games.

 

[charliefedererer]

I think you need to go back to the orthopod who saw you initially.

Likely he diagnosed this as a "sprain" of the radial (side near the thumb) collateral ligament on physical examination in that there was not the instability that would have been present with a disruption of the ligament.
But there are are different degrees of sprains, and with continuing trauma the possibility of a complete tear is possible. That ligament is truly tiny, but it is important to be able to effecively "pinch" the thumb and index finger together. While you might be okay just taping the fingers together, do you really want to risk a worse injury?

 

[EKnee08]

I think you need to go back to the orthopod who saw you initially.

Likely he diagnosed this as a "sprain" of the radial (side near the thumb) collateral ligament on physical examination in that there was not the instability that would have been present with a disruption of the ligament.
But there are are different degrees of sprains, and with continuing trauma the possibility of a complete tear is possible. That ligament is truly tiny, but it is important to be able to effecively "pinch" the thumb and index finger together. While you might be okay just taping the fingers together, do you really want to risk a worse injury?

Charlie:

Good point! and yes it was the radial side. By the way, an X-ray showed nothing.

 

[troytennisbum]

First time I ever heard of someone spraining/jamming a finger in tennis!

 

[EKnee08]

First time I ever heard of someone spraining/jamming a finger in tennis!

Yes, me too but I'm the one in a million. I've been playing for more than 35 years and never had anyhting close ot this. A freak injury.

 

[jrod]

Mallet Finger

I "caught" an out ball several weeks ago and managed to jam my finger. Hurt like hell initially but after a little ice I taped it and finished the match. Well sure enough, the tendon in the last joint was broken and I have "mallet finger". Problem is, it wasn't severe enough to stop playing so the normal recommended treatment (splint and immobilization for 6 weeks) was never implemented.

It's a very common injury in basketball and baseball (also referred to as "baseball finger"). In those sports it is critical to repair it because of the high risk of recurrence. In tennis, there is essentially no risk if you can avoid using your hand to catch the ball (I now use my racquet to catch them). Here is a site describing it:http://www.ncemi.org/cse/cse0927.htm

 

[charliefedererer]

I "caught" an out ball several weeks ago and managed to jam my finger. Hurt like hell initially but after a little ice I taped it and finished the match. Well sure enough, the tendon in the last joint was broken and I have "mallet finger". Problem is, it wasn't severe enough to stop playing so the normal recommended treatment (splint and immobilization for 6 weeks) was never implemented.

It's a very common injury in basketball and baseball (also referred to as "baseball finger"). In those sports it is critical to repair it because of the high risk of recurrence. In tennis, there is essentially no risk if you can avoid using your hand to catch the ball (I now use my racquet to catch them). Here is a site describing it:http://www.ncemi.org/cse/cse0927.htm

This happened to me about a dozen years ago catching the ball with my nondominant hand. I recognized it immediately, and had to wear a finger spint for 6 weeks. It healed up fine.

 

[EKnee08]

Charlie:

Good point! and yes it was the radial side. By the way, an X-ray showed nothing.

As a follow-up, I went back to the ortho today. He advised me to not play for a month but also suggested that I seek a 2nd opinion from a hand specialist. That is what I am going to do. Frustrating in that my primary care should have suggested the hand guy to begin with. Also, I wasted at least another month in the heart of the summer outdoor season. Oh well. As I get older, it is taking longer to heal.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

^ Try learning to hit with your opposite hand for a while. It's a great cognitive exercise (builds new neural pathways) and you'll probably learn something about tennis in the process. I switched arms for a while and was really surprised how much I learned about stroke mechanics, spin and pace in doing so -- was able to apply this new insight when I later switched back to my favorite arm. I'm able to hit some emergency shots with my other arm when needed ( I can even serve with the other arm when the sun/lights is an issue with my preferred arm).

 

[EKnee08]

^ Try learning to hit with your opposite hand for a while. It's a great cognitive exercise (builds new neural pathways) and you'll probably learn something about tennis in the process. I switched arms for a while and was really surprised how much I learned about stroke mechanics, spin and pace in doing so -- was able to apply this new insight when I later switched back to my favorite arm. I'm able to hit some emergency shots with my other arm when needed ( I can even serve with the other arm when the sun/lights is an issue with my preferred arm).

Intersting, you are now ambidexterous like the Jensen. Unfortunately, I can't try it because my other hand/wrist is in a brace due to tendinitis.

 

[EKnee08]

I went for a 2nd opinion yesterday with a hand specialist. THE BOTTOM LINE: WHENEVER THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE HAND, WRIST, FINGERS, ETC., ONE SHOULD GO TO A HAND SPECIALIST.He said the exact same thing as the PT I mentioned in an earlier post. He said there was no reason that I can't play through the sprain as long as I can tolerate the pain. He said to just listen to my body, if the pain becomes too great, just rest. It is a nagging injury which will cause no further damge and will heal even if I do play but at a slower rate. I should tape the finger when I play and ice it immediately after playing. He said it is unrealistic to completely stop playing for an additional 6 weeks.

The other dr. I saw as a general ortho, who gave me a very constricting brace for tendinitis in my other hand when I first saw him last month (That was why I first saw him). (This is a completely different discussion). The hand guy said that brace was overkill and prescribed a custom brace which I had mae up immediately. It feels like it is helping much better. I mention this as an example as to why I have more confidence in his advice than the general ortho. Thats not to say that the general ortho isn't a good dr. but he isn't a hand/finger expert.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Intersting, you are now ambidexterous like the Jensen. Unfortunately, I can't try it because my other hand/wrist is in a brace due to tendinitis.

How, pray tell, did you develop tendinitis in your non-dominant hand/wrist?

 

[EKnee08]

How, pray tell, did you develop tendinitis in your non-dominant hand/wrist?

It is my right thumb/wrist. Probably due to using the computer, mouse and blackberry. Also, I am ambidexterous and use my right hand for many things.

 

[EKnee08]

As an update, I am finally able to play with minimal pain and swelling. After almost five months I am okay.

Hit with a pro today to get my timing back and to focus on my technique so that I don not aggravate the injury. As a bonus, a WTA player (former number 1) who is training for the Open was hitting on the court next to me. Very cool and nice!

 

[charliefedererer]

Thanks for the update. It is good to hear you are finally better. All in all, it sounds like a nice day at the courts yesterday.

 

[EKnee08]

Thanks for the update. It is good to hear you are finally better. All in all, it sounds like a nice day at the courts yesterday.

Thanks, Charlie. It was a great day!