Emergency and Urgent Care - Neighbour (Buddy) Strapping

Introduction

You have sustained an injury to one or more of your fingers or toes. You may have been told that the finger or toe is bruised or that you have a fracture: this means that you have broken one of the small bones in your finger or toe.

This leaflet will provide information on how to care for your injury at home.

Treatment

The treatment for this injury is neighbour or buddy strapping. This is the strapping of the injured finger/toe to its neighbouring finger/toe.

It should be worn for 2 to 4 weeks. This can be removed for washing but the strapping will need to be reapplied after. Early mobilisation is recommended to prevent joint stiffness.

How can I help with my recovery?

• Keep your hand raised. Do not let your hand hang down by your side as this will increase the swelling. The increased swelling will result in more pain
• When sat at home, keep your arm up. Either by placing on the opposite shoulder or resting on the chair arm
• At night, rest your hand on a couple of pillows. This will help to reduce swelling
• Do not wear any rings on the injured hand at any time until the injury has fully healed
• Gently move the affected finger(s)/toe(s) as pain allows

If you are in pain, regular pain relief is advised. Paracetamol and ibuprofen can be bought over the counter and are very effective at reducing localised pain and swelling.

Refer to the patient information leaflet in the medicine boxes for advice of dosage and side effects prior to taking. You may have been prescribed pain relief on your visit, if so take this as prescribed and ensure you read the leaflet before taking.

How to re-apply the strapping:

• You will need tape and gauze. The tape will need to be firm tape that does not stretch. These can both be bought from a chemist
• Cut a piece of gauze to approximately the same length as the fingers/toes you are strapping and put it between them
• Apply one length of tape around the base of the fingers/toes. Making sure it is below the joint
• Apply a second piece of tape above the joint. This allows gentle movement of the fingers/toes

The strapping should be tight enough so that when you bend your uninjured finger/toe it brings the injured finger down with it. The same should happen when you straighten your finger/toe.

Strapping applied too loosely will not give adequate support; strapping applied too tightly will restrict blood flow to the fingers/toes.

Please visit this link on the internet for a video showing the application and how to re-apply neighbour strapping:
https://vimeo.com/488590600/4654a4a659

Recovery time

You should notice a significant improvement in pain and swelling within 4 weeks. Ligament injuries can take up to 12 weeks to improve and further rest is advised for these injuries. It is important to gently move your fingers after strapping is removed to improve strength and stiffness.

Work

If you do not feel capable of going to work due to either pain or reduced movement, you are able to self-certify sickness for 7 days.

You must complete a self-certification form found on the government website and give this to your employer. This entitles you to statutory sick pay from your employer for up to 7 days.

To access the link to the self-certification form please go to:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-sick- pay-employees-statement-of-sickness-sc2

If you feel you need longer than 7 days off work, you must contact your GP for a sick note. We cannot provide sick notes from the Urgent Treatment Centre.

If your GP is based within the Rochdale borough they will have received a notification of attendance from us detailing your diagnosis.

Possible complications

Fractures and ligaments injuries should heal simply within time however if you notice any symptoms below, seek medical help.

If the fingers/toes become swollen, numb/tingling, change colour or you notice a deformity:

• Remove the strapping
• Elevate the hand
• Seek medical advice from your GP, 111 or contact the Rochdale Urgent Treatment Centre on 01706 517023.