Do I need to get my rings cut off ?

[rookiemere]

Hi
Yesterday I must have bumped my ring finger doing weights at the gym. My finger has swollen, but it isn't sore and I still have movement in it.
I phoned up NHS 24 but they didn't ask for a picture and just said I should go to a jewellers and get the rings cut off if I need to.

I'm going skiing abroad tomorrow and wondering if I should get them cut off just as it's the safest thing, but I'm not sure if it's needed and I can still move them - they are tight usually and finger has a bit of a groove.

I genuinely seem to be unable to get any further medical advice so A&E is out, the question is simply should I have the rings cut off today or not ?

Having been in a similar position to the op, may I gently suggest that people get their rings resized as and when necessary. When my hand swelled badly I managed to get of my engagement ring (which fit properly) myself, the hospital got off the eternity ring that was snug with the string method, but they had to cut off my wedding ring which was too small (after being resized previously but I had put on 2 stone subsequently).

It cost £185 to be resized and repaired. It could have been avoided.

@rookiemere, I hope your finger heals soon and that you have a lovely holiday!

Glad you're sorted and I hope it heals soon without causing you more pain. Sorry about your rings but better to lose them than a finger AND they can be replaced.

Leaving it for a couple of days if OP wasn’t travelling is the worst advice I’ve seen on here by a long shot! Op could lose her finger if she does that.

Just seen your update, OP. Very glad you have got it sorted out.

Thank you @RosesAndHellebores and good advice.

I'd also say avoid wearing your rings when weight training as what caused it was very minor jar when I was lifting some dumbbells in my class, ironically trying to get fitter for skiing - well that worked out well didn't it !

Your best bet is buying ring cutters on something like amazon. I had to do this eariler in the year.

Lots of Washing up liquid & google the string method, to get them off yourself.

The jewellers did it for free.

The lady was amazing actually, I'm not sure I would have been able to cut them myself. She also didn't push repair services, she was honestly so much more helpful than the medical professionals I spoke to.

If you do think your finger is broken, ring 111 or GP and ask advice just to be sure.

It might need to be strapped to another finger for support. I had this and also had a plastic support because it was so painful and it still looks a little crooked because I left it a while before doing this.

People think "Oh its just a finger," but there are so many nerve endings in your fingers and you don't want avoidable problems further down the line.

@DuckbilledSplatterPuff it's good advice, but after the not so helpful information I had yesterday I don't want to spend another half hour on the phone, and as it's Saturday night it will be a long wait to see anyone - that's if they even refer me, I was fully expecting to get referred to minor injuries yesterday but they said it was up to me what to do.

It isn't sore at all, but I do still have sensation there and I can still bend it. I'm taking arnica tablets and Ibuprofen.

I've also realised my cuticles need some attention , but that's maybe a job for another day .

Your finger is literally about to drop off

I'm glad you got the ring cut off!
Having been in a similar situation one Christmas Eve, with swelling due to Raynauds and 4 rings on my right hand, i had to hacksaw the rings off myself.. very scary, so glad someone with a finer instrument did yours!

Have a fab holiday OP

So I have been doing a lot of googling and pretty sure what I have is Achenbach syndrome dermnetnz.org/topics/achenbach-syndrome, apparently the tip of the finger not being impacted is a giveaway.

No one knows what causes it and the colour should go away after a few days.

May not have needed the rings off, but hey ho it's done now.

oh dear!

Can the rings be repaired?

@lljkk yes they can be repaired but looks like £150 per ring is the going rate.
I think I have them named on our home insurance so might see if I can get it through that.
Definitely take off your rings at the gym and get them resized if at all tight.