It’s Football Time in Tennessee, Which Can Mean Jersey Finger for Some Players

By Dr. Kristen Ploetze

It’s Football Time in Tennessee!

Yes, folks – it is that time of year again. We just celebrated the start of football season with the local high school teams’ annual KOC Kick-Off Classic and Jamboree, and the season opener for the Tennessee Vols is right around the corner.

Due to the physicality and high impact nature of football, hand injuries are quite common, and sometimes overlooked.

One of the more common injuries this time of year is a “jersey finger.” Jersey finger is a condition where the finger may be caught in an opponent’s jersey during a tackle or a block. As the finger gets caught in the jersey, the tendon that bends the tip of the finger may rupture or tear as the opponent pulls away. The tendon gets caught in a tug of war, where the tendon is pulled in two different directions. The tendon can even pull a piece of bone off with it when it ruptures. In the heat of a game or practice, it may seem minor, but can have serious consequences if not identified and addressed in a timely manner. Defensive players are particularly at risk.

This injury is often overlooked as the athlete can still move their finger; however, they will not be able to bend their last knuckle. The majority of Jersey fingers benefit from surgery to repair the torn tendon or broken bone to restore the ability to bend the fingertip. Prompt evaluation and assessment is key to a good outcome.

Here at KOC, we have Hand & Wrist specialists available at each of our locations to evaluate and treat conditions like Jersey fingers.

If you or a family member has an injured, swollen finger that does not bend, call (865) 558-4400 or schedule an appointment online with one of our Hand specialists. We have same day availability for acute injuries.

See below for some of our Hand team enjoying our favorite fall pastime!

Disclaimer: One of us did go to Florida 🙂