Blog Entry Details

• How To Safely Remove a Ring

  By Dr. Jeffrey J. Roth Tue, June 19, 2012 10:28 am MDT

  Plastic Surgeons are trained in a variety of surgical areas, including aesthetic, reconstructive, microvascular and hand surgery. Hand surgeons may have medical backgrounds in Plastic, Orthopaedic or General Surgery. As surgeons we are often called upon to perform various procedures with a patient's hands. One of the most common hand related issues we see in the Emergency Room is the “ring that won’t come off.” As a surgeon I have seen this type of problem become very serious in a very short period of time.

  Recently I came across an article on the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) website that details the best ways to safely remove a stuck ring. I think it provides very clear information on the best way to safely remove a ring and I would like to pass it on. I should also stress, if you have a ring stuck to your finger and cannot remove it do not hesitate to seek medical attention immediately!

  Hopefully the following steps, prepared by Dr. Andrew Neslon and Dr. Richard Manzo, will be useful if you or someone you love ever encounters an issue with a stuck ring:

  There are occasions when a ring needs to be removed with some urgency. Our bodies change over the years causing arthritis of joints which can swell and/or swelling of the tissue under the ring.

  When you can’t simply slide your ring off, try one of these techniques:

  1. A squirt of Windex - yes Windex - on the finger and ring.

  2. Any lubricant such as soap or oils.

  3. Elevate overhead for 5-10 minutes with ice around the ring and finger, PLUS #2.

  4. Compress the swollen tissue with thread or dental floss.

  

  a. Slip thread or Floss under the ring with the bulk of it toward the fingertip.

   

   

   

   

  b. Beginning at the ring, snuggly wrap the finger with the thread/floss around and around compressing the tissue—go up and over the joint.

  

   

   

   

   

  c. With the end that was under the ring, begin to unwrap the tread or floss with the ring sliding over the joint.

  

   

   

   

   

   

  5. If all else fails, cut the ring off with a ring cutter (below) found in jewelry stores, fire departments and Emergency Rooms.

  

   

  Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.

  Las Vegas Plastic Surgery

  702-450-0777

  www.jjrothmd.com

  References: 

  Andrew J. Nelson, MD and Richard L. Manzo, MD How to Safely Remove a Ring

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