Is It Jammed or Broken?

Hi! Combat medic here. I don't have xray vision, but often the "kind" of pain can be a dead giveaway.

So:

Is it a ice-cold, poking, pinpointed pain that is in just one spot?

Or is it a hot/warm, aching, generally-in-this-area pain?

Based upon my experience, the ice-pokey-pinpointed pain is a break.

HOWEVER, if your pain has stayed at the same level over the past 3 days it's worth getting it looked at. With ice and rest, the swelling ought to have reduced. Even if it's a sprain, you might need to immobilize it.

ETA: Whoops! You say you hurt it last night? Okay. So...what kind of pain is it? ;-)

ETA2: I agree with JC, you can buddy tape your finger to immobilize it. That won't hurt. Please don't flick your fingertip to exacerbate the pain. Also, if your finger is noticably disfigured or "crooked" please go in for an xray. ♥

Can you bend it?
Does it hurt like heck when you do?
Sprain or break - they aren't going to do much but splint it - I don't see spending a co-pay on that.
I'd go to a drug store and get a finger splint and keep it in there for a few weeks until it doesn't hurt anymore.
I've broken fingers and toes.
Went to the doctors the first time but I won't ever go again unless bones are sticking out.

I would go get an xray just to be sure. That way, if it is broken, you can at least splint it so it will hopefully heal straight and not crooked.

Ouch.. I know it is painful.

Oh I don't know if it is or not but it sounds so painful (((hugs))))!

hold your hand out with the injured finger. Flick the very tip of the injured finger on the top towards the hand with your other hand. If you have pain. It is MOST LIKELY broken. If you do not have PAIN it can still be broken but most likely not. and by pain I mean PAIN!! not just some discomfort.

I would put a splint on it or buddy tape it at a minimum. If the pain doesn't get better in a week, go get an X-ray.

For the last 6 weeks I have been walking around on a broken foot. I finally went to a podiatrist last week because my foot was getting worse not better. In hindsight, I wish I would have gone sooner because not only has it been incredibly painful but I delayed this bones healing since I didn't realize it was broken. Now I have to go back for X-rays next week to make sure it is healing properly...if not I am looking at surgery.