Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Ring Avulsion?SymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Ring Avulsion?
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Ringavulsionsare rare injuries in which soft tissue like aligament,tendon, or muscle is torn loose in the finger when a ring is suddenly and accidentally pulled off.Also called degloving, this could cause a range of problems from mildbruisingto damage to bones, blood vessels, ligaments, ornerves.
In rare and extreme cases, a ring avulsion might result infinger amputation.Most people will never experience a ring avulsion, but if you work in a job where you’re more likely to catch your ring, you may be at risk.
This article discusses the causes, symptoms, and risks of ring avulsions. Learn how it’s diagnosed and treated, and how you can prevent this type of injury.
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A ring avulsion occurs when the ring crushes into the finger and is ripped away.
It may not look like there’s much damage, but the finger could be injured beneath the skin. Sometimes, several layers of skin are pulled off during the accident.
If blood vessels are damaged, the blood supply to surrounding tissue can be cut off. In severe cases, you may need surgery to repair blood vessels or tissue.
Fingertip Injury: Will the Tip of the Finger Grow Back?
Symptoms of Ring Avulsion Injury
Getting your ring ripped off is painful. There may be skin damage and bleeding, but it depends on the severity of the injury.
If your finger isn’t bleeding or noticeably injured, watch for other symptoms that can indicate internal damage, such as:
When to See a Healthcare ProviderYou should have your finger checked any time an avulsion occurs, even if there doesn’t seem to be any damage. Call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency department if you’re bleeding a lot or if the finger is completely or partially detached.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
You should have your finger checked any time an avulsion occurs, even if there doesn’t seem to be any damage. Call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency department if you’re bleeding a lot or if the finger is completely or partially detached.
What Causes Ring Avulsion Injuries?
Ring avulsions are usually the result of an accident, such as a fall or a mistake made when using machinery.
Dramatic stories and studies show that simple accidents can result in serious injuries. Here are three real-world examples of ring avulsion injuries:
Severed Finger: What to Do and When to Reattach
Diagnosing Ring Avulsion
Doctors diagnose ring avulsion injuries using the Kay classification system. This rates the injury based on blood circulation and skeletal damage.The table below lists the classes from least to most severe.
The main concern is blood flow to and from the finger. If blood flow is cut off, you could lose the finger.
There’s also a risk of arterial thrombosis, ablood clotin anartery. If that were to develop, it would stop blood flow to major organs.
Two tests are usually used to measure blood flow:
Anorthopedic doctorwho specializes in hands should examine your finger.
Imaging tests are done to determine the extent of an avulsion and whether or not blood flow is impeded.
How Is Ring Avulsion Treated?
If you experience a ring avulsion, you need to get medical attention right away—whether you think the injury is significant or not. Never underestimate the potential for blood loss.
Doctors have had success mending serious injuries such as damaged blood vessels and severed tissue. Still, there’s the risk of finger loss in some very extreme cases.
First Aid for Ring Avulsion
If your finger is still intact and you’re bleeding,apply pressure with gauze, bandages, or clean fabric like a T-shirt or towel.Only try to remove the ring if it can easily slide off without causing more pain or injury. Forcing the ring to come off when there’s swelling or skin degloving can make the injury worse.
If your finger has been amputated:
First Aid Kits: What You Should Always Have on Hand
Surgery
Ring avulsion injuries usually requiremicrovascularreconstructionsurgery. For class 1 injuries, doctors will focus on closing open wounds and repairing tendons or muscles.For class 2 and higher, a hand surgeon or plastic surgeon will use tiny instruments to reconnect broken blood vessels and restore blood flow. Broken bones may also need to be reset.
If the injury falls within class 3, there’s still a possibility your finger can be reattached. Before trying that, your surgeon will consider how much damage has been done to the soft tissues and how likely it is that you’ll regain function.
Any time blood flow is lost, there is a chance blood vessels won’t function right even after surgery. Even class 2 avulsion injuries can cause circulation problems that lead to the need for amputation.
It is far less likely that a class 4 amputated finger will be reattached. However, following the first aid guidelines to protect the detached finger en route to the hospital increases the chances that a surgeon will be able to reattach it.
How to Treat an Avulsion Wound
RecapA ring avulsion is serious. Sometimes the skin isn’t broken, but internal ligaments, muscle, or even bone and blood vessels are injured. If you don’t get proper medical attention, your finger could be permanently disfigured, or you might lose strength and mobility. In some cases, the blood vessels may be destroyed, and if they can’t be repaired, the finger may need to be amputated.
Recap
A ring avulsion is serious. Sometimes the skin isn’t broken, but internal ligaments, muscle, or even bone and blood vessels are injured. If you don’t get proper medical attention, your finger could be permanently disfigured, or you might lose strength and mobility. In some cases, the blood vessels may be destroyed, and if they can’t be repaired, the finger may need to be amputated.
How to Prevent Ring Avulsion Injuries
There are steps you can take to prevent ring avulsion injury. Some of these are required in some workplaces.
Remove Your Rings
Remove ringsbefore working, especially if your job involves harsh or slippery conditions, heavy machinery, or anything that puts you at risk of falling.
It’s also smart to remove rings before doing home improvements or yard work, playing sports, exercising, or enjoying hobbies. It’s especially important if you know you’re prone to accidents.
What Is Occupational Health and Safety?
Wear a Silicone Ring
Rings made of silicone have become popular. These inexpensive bands are designed to break if they get snagged on an object. Some brands combine precious metals with the silicone to give them a sense of style and rarity. Others are made specifically for outdoor enthusiasts and people with active lifestyles.
Summary
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.Emergency care for an accidental amputation.
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