01/08/2026
Buddy strapping isn’t designed to completely immobilise an injured finger like a cast. Instead, it uses the neighbouring healthy finger as a functional splint, providing support while still allowing safe, controlled movement. This helps reduce excessive sideways, twisting and bending forces, decreases pain, maintains alignment in stable injuries and can reduce stiffness compared with rigid immobilisation. Buddy strapping may be appropriate for selected stable finger fractures, mild ligament sprains and successfully reduced dislocations that remain stable. However, it is not appropriate for every finger injury. Urgent medical assessment is recommended for injuries involving deformity, rotational malalignment, open wounds or fractures, numbness, poor circulation, suspected tendon injury, fractures involving the joint surface, significant angulation, ongoing instability after a dislocation, or injuries involving the thumb. If the patient has sensitive skin or a known sensitivity to adhesives, consider using a hypoallergenic tape. The aim is not to stop movement completely, but to support healing while allowing the finger to function safely.
Always follow the RICER principles of Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate and Refer in the first 72 hours. Simple pain relief and Anti-inflammatories are great! If you come to the Emergency Department that will be the most common form of pain relief administered.
Who are ew? We are 2 Emergency Department Registered Nurses and Sunshine Coast specialists in First Aid, CPR and NDIS High Intensity Skills training for disability and care-sector workers. Join one of our classes in Kawana or Maroochydore. The booking page link is in the bio!
