What Causes Swelling In Fingers After Treating Severe Injury In Ankle?

Posted on Mon, 27 Jul 2015

Question: Good afternoon! I am currently at home after breaking my ankle seven weeks ago. Despite the bad break, that resulted in eight days in hospital and metalwork inserted in the ankle, I have made an excellent recovery and am now mostly on a frame full weight-bearing, only using the wheelchair when I am very tired. I am much more concerned with the fact that at the moment, I have not been able to remove my engagement ring for about three days and the finger is very swollen. I don't always wear this, but put it on for my step-daughter's wedding last Friday and have had to wear this ever since. I have tried butter, hand lotion, cold peas, soaking in cold water- you name it but nothing removes it over my knuckle. I saw online a trick using an elastic band to compress but don't think |I am doing this correctly. Do you have the best advice please? I will be literally devastated if I have to have the ring cut off. I wear a wedding ring as well incidentally and both are on currently. I don't know whether to wait since the air pressure re weather has been high and my feet swell a lot still at present if I walk too much so maybe there is a lot of odema in my system? Thank you very much!

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There are many methods to remove the ring.

Detailed Answer:
Hi there.

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

Thanks for the query.

I have read your query and understood your problem.

I can understand the need to remove your engagement ring and the problem you face trying to get it off.

There are many methods to remove the ring.

A few precautions -

Avoid forcing or tugging the ring out.

Use only side to side turning movements to get the ring off.

An area with constriction tends to accumulate swelling and fluid above. So the ring being tight can cause fluid to accumulate over the finger and getting the ring off will be difficult.

First keep the hand elevated above you, rating against something so that the fluid drains away.
Then you can try immersing the fingers in cool, salt water. This will will absorb the fluid from the swelling and it would be easier to remove the ring.
Keep the fingers immersed for 15 to 20 minutes in cool brine water. Then apply soap solution or butter over the entire finger from the attachment to the palm, till its tip. Now by turning movements you can get it off. Avoid tugging at it or forcing it out.

Kindly try this and follow up with me.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available for follow up queries.

Thanking you.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E