Ring avulsion injuries can occur during physical activities such as exercising, doing yard or construction work or operating machinery with moving parts. To avoid the risk, experts suggest removing all jewelry first or switching out the traditional metal for a silicone ring.

“I’ve seen injuries from metal rings that have caused people to lose function from nerve damage, soft tissue injuries and fractures that require surgery,” said Nick Maroldi PT, DPT, OCS, CHT, certified hand therapist at HSS. “You can lose your whole finger.”

That’s why Maroldi went with silicone when he got married six years ago. “I was a rock climber and skydiver and having metal on your finger during those activities is dangerous. Even lifting weights, that metal on metal can be uncomfortable.”

Read the full article at CNN.com.