Elbow, Wrist & Hand

What It Is

Jersey finger is an injury to one of the finger tendons. Athletes most often sustain this injury in sports that involve tackling or grabbing, such as rugby, football and wrestling (AAOS, n.d.). When a player grabs another player's jersey, a finger (usually the ring finger) can get caught and pulled with great force, and the tendon can be pulled off the bone (AAOS, n.d.). As the other player wrestles away, the bent fingertip is suddenly forced straight, and this tears the tendon away (Bachoura, Ferikes and Lubahn, 2017). Jersey finger can also occur in non-sporting activities, but it is commonly seen in athletic settings.

Jersey finger is an injury to the deep flexor tendon of the finger (flexor digitorum profundus). This tendon bends the tip of the finger down towards the palm when the flexor muscles in your forearm contract. The injury happens at the tip of the finger, where the tendon attaches to the end bone. Once it is pulled off, the end of the tendon usually pulls back (retracts) along the finger, most often to around the middle joint, and sometimes into the palm of the hand (Bachoura, Ferikes and Lubahn, 2017). Because the ends are pulled apart, the tendon cannot heal on its own (AAOS, n.d.).

The main signs are being unable to bend the tip of the finger, pain when you try to bend it, and tenderness along the palm side of the finger (AAOS, n.d.).

See a doctor as soon as possible if you think you have jersey finger. Early assessment matters, because a torn tendon usually has to be repaired by a surgeon, and the sooner this is done, the better the recovery tends to be (AAOS, n.d.).

Warning signs: call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital if the finger looks blue or feels numb, or if the injury has a deep cut (AAOS, n.d.; NHS, 2025).

Jersey Finger Anatomy

The anatomy within the hand is quite complex. Its integrity is imperative for individuals to be able to go through life on a regular basis and engage in normal activities. Hands can be affected by any number of disorders, but often from a traumatic injury.

The flexor tendons are cord-like structures that run from the muscles in the forearm, across the wrist and palm, and into the fingers. They let you bend your fingers and thumb to grip an object or make a fist. Along the fingers, they run through small tunnels on the palm side called tendon sheaths, which keep the tendons close to the bones and help them glide freely (AAOS, n.d.). The deep flexor tendon attaches to the end bone of the finger (distal phalanx) and bends the fingertip (Bachoura, Ferikes and Lubahn, 2017).

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Jersey Finger

A torn tendon usually has to be repaired by a surgeon, and a hand therapist guides your exercises afterwards (AAOS, n.d.). Once your surgeon or hand therapist says it is safe, I can help with your recovery, including hands-on work, scar care and exercises to strengthen your finger. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

1. Ice

Wrap an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) in a tea towel and apply it for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours to reduce swelling. Never put ice directly on the skin. Ice is not suitable if you have chilblains or Raynaud's (NHS, 2025).

2. Elevation

Keep your hand raised above the level of your heart, and rest it on a pillow whenever sitting or lying down (AAOS, n.d.). Elevating the hand will help to minimise swelling and pressure on the injured site.

3. Get It Checked Quickly

Do not buy or make your own splint to hold the finger straight. A doctor may fit a splint to protect your hand until the tendon is repaired (AAOS, n.d.).

4. Therapy

After surgery, a hand therapist will guide exercises that protect the repair while helping the tendon glide. Wearing your splint and doing your exercises exactly as prescribed are as important to your recovery as the surgery itself (AAOS, n.d.). Manual therapy or occupational therapy can be very useful for rehabilitation.

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or hand surgeon

Options outside my scope

Surgery: in most cases a hand surgeon reattaches the torn tendon to the end bone of the finger using special stitches (AAOS, n.d.; Bachoura, Ferikes and Lubahn, 2017).
Splint after surgery: after the repair, a splint is fitted to protect it, often holding the wrist and fingers in a bent position; follow your surgeon's and hand therapist's instructions (AAOS, n.d.).
X-ray: your doctor may order an X-ray to check for damage to the bones (AAOS, n.d.).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Easing the neck, shoulder and forearm while your hand is splinted
Scar work and tendon-gliding exercises once you're cleared
Strengthening your grip and finger when it's safe

Tips

When participating in sporting activities, try to avoid grabbing onto the jersey of another player.
After surgery, a flexor tendon takes around 3 to 4 months to heal before your hand is strong enough to use without restrictions (AAOS, n.d.).
A fully torn tendon cannot heal on its own, so without treatment you may be left unable to bend the tip of your finger (AAOS, n.d.).
Proper tackling is important to prevent the injury from occurring.
When participating in sporting activities, proper form is crucial to preventing injuries.
Follow the instructions of your surgeon and hand therapist after surgery to give yourself the best chance of a full recovery and return to activities.

Treatment

My Approach

Jersey finger needs a surgeon first: if you haven't been seen, see a doctor as soon as possible, because early repair matters. After the repair, the tendon needs protecting, but controlled movement helps stop it getting stuck down by scar tissue. Your surgeon and hand therapist set the splint and exercise schedule. I work strictly within it and need your surgeon's okay before any hands-on treatment.

Please bring any X-ray reports and notes from your surgeon or hand therapist to your first visit. They're an important part of planning safe treatment for you.

While It's Splinted

Easing the neck, shoulder and forearm, which often tense up while your hand is protected
Keeping the joints that aren't involved moving, as your team allows
Your splint stays on exactly as instructed; strong gripping too soon risks tearing the repair

As You're Cleared for More

Gentle work along the tendon, not across it, and scar work once the wound has fully healed
Tendon-gliding exercises as your hand therapist allows, then grip and finger strengthening when it's safe
A gradual return to work, the gym or sport

If you feel a sudden pop or lose movement in the finger, contact your surgeon or hand therapist straight away.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: While your hand is splinted, visits are usually about weekly; once you're cleared for more, most people come once or twice a week, then weekly, then less often as they manage on their own. Recovery follows your surgeon's and hand therapist's plan: a repaired flexor tendon usually takes around 3 to 4 months before your hand can be used without restrictions.

What I Focus On

Working Within Your Team's Limits

Compensation Relief

Scar & Tendon Glide

Grip Strength

Return to Activity

Sources

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) (n.d.) Flexor tendon injuries. OrthoInfo. Available at: https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases--conditions/flexor-tendon-injuries/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
Bachoura, A., Ferikes, A.J. and Lubahn, J.D. (2017) 'A review of mallet finger and jersey finger injuries in the athlete', Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, 10(1), pp. 1-9. doi: 10.1007/s12178-017-9395-6.
NHS (2025) Broken finger or thumb. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-finger/ (Accessed: 8 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooJersey Finger

What It Is

Jersey Finger Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Jersey Finger

1. Ice

2. Elevation

3. Get It Checked Quickly

4. Therapy

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or hand surgeon

Tips

My Approach

While It's Splinted

As You're Cleared for More

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooJersey Finger

What It Is

Jersey Finger Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat Jersey Finger

1. Ice

2. Elevation

3. Get It Checked Quickly

4. Therapy

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or hand surgeon

Tips

My Approach

While It's Splinted

As You're Cleared for More

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Bennett's Fracture

Boutonniere Deformity of the Finger

Carpal Bone Fracture

Colles' Fracture

Book a session