Compression Devices as an Alternative Approach After Unsuccessful Ring Removal Attempts

Removal of a stuck ring is a medical problem sufficiently common for most practitioners to have an approach. However, there is limited consensus on the best approach to care. Commonly used approaches include lubricant, localized cooling, various forms of finger wrapping, attempts at ring and finger manipulation, and finally cutting or breaking the ring for removal. Each approach has its limitations and potential complications. Rings can also have sentimental value to the patient and destroying or damaging a ring may not be acceptable to the patient. This case report presents an approach to ring removal using a compression device (CD) that successfully allowed medical professionals to remove an intact ring from an injured finger. Several unsuccessful attempts at removal were made before using this CD.