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Finger Dislocation

(Dislocated finger; Dislocation, Finger)

by Mary Calvagna, MS

Home | Health Information Center | Disease, Condition, & Injury Fact Sheets | Article

Definition

A finger dislocation is when the a finger bone is out of place. A dislocation also often involves stretching or damage to the ligaments. Ligaments are strong bands of fiber that help hold bones in place. Dislocation can happen in any of the finger joints.

Dislocated Finger

Causes

A dislocated finger is usually caused by:

A force that jams the end of the finger
Finger being forcefully twisted or bent
Finger being overextended (bent backward)

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your risk of dislocation include:

Contact sports
Previous finger dislocation or sprain
Medical conditions or disease that make ligaments weak or loose, such as Ehlers-Danlos or Marfan syndrome

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

Severe pain
Crooked or awkwardly bent shape finger
Swelling and bruising in the injured area
Numbness and/or tingling
Inability to bend or straighten the finger

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and how the injury occurred. The injured finger will be examined.

Images of your finger may be needed. This can be done with an x-ray.

Treatment

Emergency Care

Seek medical care right away. Do not try to put your finger bones back into place. If you wait for treatment, you could cause permanent damage.

The finger bones will be moved back into place. A local anesthesic may be used to help reduce pain. Your finger may then be placed in a splint or taped to the healthy finger. For severe injuries or ones that can not be moved back into place, a cast or surgery may be needed.

Prevention

To help prevent a finger dislocation, wear proper padding and safety equipment when participating in sports. Work with a coach or other professional to learn proper techniques and safety steps.

RESOURCES:

American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
http://www.sportsmed.org

Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org

When it Hurts to Move—Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
http://whenithurtstomove.org

References:

Dislocated finger. Sports Injury Clinic website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed August 24, 2017.

Finger (PIP joint) dislocation. National Center for Emergency Medicine Informatics website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed August 24, 2017.

PIP joint dislocation. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed... . Updated June 7, 2017. Accessed August 24, 2017.

10/26/2010 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed... : Massey T, Derry S, Moore R, McQuay H. Topical NSAIDs for acute pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(6):CD007402.

Last reviewed September 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Warren A. Bodine, DO, CAQSM
Last Updated: 9/25/2014

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