Can Wearing a Ring Damage Your Finger? | Enso Rings

Can Wearing a Ring Damage Your Finger?

Whenever you wear a metal ring on your finger, there is going to be some risk of injury. While not very common, ring avulsion injuries (brought into the mainstream public’s attention after late night television host Jimmy Fallon suffered one) can cause significant damage and require extensive treatment, including surgery and physical therapy or other rehabilitation.

The Basics on Ring Avulsion

Ring avulsion is a fancy term for an injury caused when a ring around your finger gets caught on something. The subsequent pressure on your finger can cause everything from bruising and contusions to more serious damage. In the most severe cases it can actually cause degloving, where muscle, tendons, and tissue are pulled away from the bones, or traumatic amputation, where the finger or some portion of it is separated from your hand.

The good news about ring avulsion is that it is rare, particularly for the most extreme injuries. While it can occur any time a metal ring gets caught on something, it’s more likely to happen in places like work environments with heavy machinery, industrial equipment, and similar hazards. It is also more likely if you have a ring that is loose or too large for your finger, since there is more room for it to get caught on something.

Treatment for ring avulsion injuries varies depending on the severity, but could include surgery and rehabilitation, and often several weeks of healing time before you can resume normal activities.

Other Ring Injury Risks

In addition to ring avulsion, metal rings can get stuck on your fingers when they are swollen. In serious cases you may even require medical attention, particularly if the swelling makes it impossible to remove the ring on your own. If the swelling is the result of a cut or wound on your finger, see a doctor rather than trying to remove it on your own. If you notice discoloration or lose feeling in your finger in addition to the swelling, seek medical attention immediately.

Eliminating Ring Injuries

While all these injuries might sound scary, the great news is that you can virtually eliminate your injury risk by taking a simple step: trading your traditional metal ring for a silicone ring, especially in high-risk situations like a dangerous workplace or while playing sports or working out. Silicone rings are made of durable material but can stretch and even break if exposed to significant pressure, so rather than losing your finger you’ll lose the ring. Fortunately replacing a silicone ring is affordable, so if the worst-case scenario happens, you can get a new ring (and save thousands of dollars in medical bills).

Find a large selection of styles and prices at Enso Rings to avoid the risk of injury from your metal rings.