Dislocated pinky finger knuckle: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Recovery, and More

03.07.202328.06.2023 by alexxlab

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Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Recovery, and More

Dislocated Finger: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Recovery, and More

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Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. D. — By Donna Christiano — Updated on September 18, 2018

Overview

Every finger has three joints. The thumb has two joints. These joints allow our fingers to bend and straighten. When any two bones are forced out of place at the joint, such as by a traumatic sports injury or a fall, the finger becomes dislocated.

When a finger is dislocated, the bones are no longer together and are out of alignment with the joint. The most common joint to experience dislocation is the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. This is the middle joint of the finger.

You may have a dislocated finger if:

your finger joint looks crooked or misshapen
your finger bone appears dislodged, such as sticking out to one side
you have swelling and bruising around the joint
you have pain around the joint
you are unable to move your finger

Many dislocated fingers are caused by sports injuries, especially sports played with a ball, such as football, basketball, and volleyball. Falls and accidents are other leading causes.

Sports injuries

In one study looking at upper extremity injuries among National Football League (NFL) players, researchers found that 17 percent were PIP dislocations. That’s because when you’re trying to catch or block a ball, a finger can easily get “jammed.” This happens when the ball hits an outstretched finger with such force it hyperextends it backward, pushing the bones away from the joint.

Fall

A dislocated finger can also occur when you put out your hand to break a fall. The impact from the fall can push your fingers beyond their normal range of motion and out of their joints.

Accident

A crushing blow to a finger, like closing a door on your finger, can also cause bones to separate from the joint.

Genetics

Some people are born with weak ligaments. Ligaments are tissues that connect bones at the joint and provide structural support.

You should seek medical attention if you suspect a dislocated finger. When you dislocate a finger, your finger may also be sprained or broken. Sprains and breaks share similar symptoms to dislocation, so it can be difficult to determine which injury you have without seeking help.

Delaying treatment or trying to diagnose and treat the finger yourself can lead to long-term loss of mobility and joint stiffness.

Even if your doctor suspects your finger is dislocated by looking at it and talking to you about your symptoms, you may still need an X-ray to rule out broken or fractured bones.

Immediately after a dislocation, avoid popping the finger back into the joint yourself. You could injure underlying structures, sometimes permanently, like:

blood vessels
tendons
nerves
ligaments

Instead, ice your injured finger and keep it immobile. To ice, wrap ice in a towel or use an ice pack. Do not apply ice directly to your skin.

Do not drink or eat anything in case surgery is necessary.

You should get medical help right away. Here are some things a trained medical professional may do:

Reduction

Reduction is the medical term for repositioning the bone into its proper place.

You may be given a local anesthetic to numb your pain during the procedure. Your doctor will press against the bone to free it if a piece is still wedged into the joint, and then pull the finger outward to get the bones back in place.

Splint

Once your bone has been repositioned, your doctor will splint it to keep it stable. A splint prevents you from moving and possibly reinjuring your finger. You’ll likely need to keep the splint in place for a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the severity of your injury.

Buddy tape

In addition to a splint, or sometimes instead of a splint, your doctor may use medical tape to bind your injured finger to an uninjured one next to it. This method adds more support to the dislocated finger and may allow early motion to prevent joint stiffness and loss of motion.

Surgery

In some cases, you may need surgery to reposition the bones and repair any fractures or torn ligaments. Surgery is generally only used when reduction fails to stabilize the joint, or if you have complicated breaks and fractures.

Physical therapy or occupational therapy may be prescribed once the finger has recovered enough to remove the splint. A trained physical therapist will guide you through exercises. Your physical therapist may also offer heat and massage therapies to help reduce stiffness and increase mobility in the joint.

You can usually return to your normal activities, including sports, within a few weeks following your injury. But it can take up to six months for your finger to fully heal. In some cases, especially when the dislocation is accompanied by a serious break or medical treatment is not prompt, pain and stiffness can be long lasting or even permanent.

Most people will recover from a dislocated finger with no permanent effects. However, your finger may be more likely to become dislocated again in the future, so it’s important to practice prevention.

Always wear proper sporting equipment, and, if possible, splint your finger to protect it from another injury when you’re playing sports.
Perform the hand exercises your doctor or physical therapist has given you to promote mobility.
Don’t walk if you feel unstable, and remove tripping hazards from your floors to reduce your risk for falls.

Remember, if you suspect a dislocation in your finger, you should seek prompt medical treatment.

Last medically reviewed on November 2, 2017

How we reviewed this article:

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Borchers JR, et al. (2012).Common finger fractures and dislocations.
aafp.org/afp/2012/0415/p805.html
Casting and splinting. (2009).
aafp.org/afp/2009/0101/p23.html
Chen F, et al. (2017). Phalanx fractures and dislocations in athletes.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5344849/
Dislocation. (2016).
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dislocation/symptoms-causes/dxc-20234512
Finger dislocation. (2014).
health.harvard.edu/pain/finger-dislocation-
First aid: Dislocations. (2014).
kidshealth.org/en/parents/dislocations-sheet.html
Won SH, et al. (2014). Buddy taping: Is it a safe method for treatment of finger and toe injuries?
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3942599/

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Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. — By Donna Christiano — Updated on September 18, 2018

What to do plus symptoms, causes, and treatment

A dislocated finger occurs when a finger bone slips out of its joint. Sports injuries, falls, and accidents can cause a finger or thumb to dislocate.

Dislocating a finger or thumb can be extremely painful and distressing. Although dislocation is not a life-threatening emergency, it is still important to seek prompt medical attention.

This article describes what to do when a person dislocates their finger or thumb. It also discusses the symptoms, causes, treatment, and recovery for a dislocated finger.

Share on PinterestA person should not try to relocate a dislocated finger themselves.
Image credit: Mdumont01, 2013

People who suspect they have dislocated their finger should seek immediate medical attention. While waiting for help or heading to a clinic, it is important not to move the damaged finger or thumb. Applying ice to the finger may help to reduce pain and swelling.

Do not attempt to move the finger bone back into its joint; a qualified healthcare professional must do this. Trying to relocate the finger bone without proper training can make the injury worse and cause additional pain and swelling.

People who attempt to move their own finger bone back into place also risk permanently damaging the surrounding structures, such as:

tendons
ligaments
nerves
blood vessels
joint articular cartilage

A dislocated finger may appear swollen or crooked and is typically very painful.

Other signs that indicate a dislocated finger include:

numbness or tingling
bruising or discoloration of the skin
difficulty moving the injured finger

Fingers contain three joints, and thumbs contain two. A joint is where the ends of two bones meet. Ligaments are short bands of fibrous material that hold the bones together and help support the joint.

Dislocations can occur when a significant force causes the ligaments to give way, causing the bone to slip out of the joint.

Sports injuries are a common cause of dislocated fingers. According to a 2015 review, around half of all sports-related hand injuries affect the fingers. Sports with the highest rates of hand injuries include football, gymnastics, basketball, lacrosse, and wrestling.

Other possible causes of a dislocated finger can include:

overextending the finger
blunt force impact to the tip of the finger, or jamming
falling on an outstretched arm

People with health conditions that can weaken joints and ligaments may be at greater risk of dislocations.

Share on PinterestA doctor may use an X-ray to confirm a dislocation or fracture.

A healthcare professional will examine the affected finger and ask the person about how and when the injury occurred. They may then order an imaging test to confirm a dislocation or evaluate the extent of damage to the finger.

Imaging tests for dislocated fingers include:

X-ray. X-rays use electromagnetic radiation to create images of the body’s internal structures. Doctors use X-ray images to confirm dislocations and to check for fractures or breaks.
MRI scan. An MRI scan uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the tissues inside the body. A doctor may recommend an MRI scan if they suspect significant tissue damage near the dislocated joint.

Treatment options vary depending on the location and severity of the dislocation.

Reduction

The first step in treating a dislocated finger or thumb typically involves carefully manipulating the bone back into the joint. The procedure is known as reduction.

Before performing a reduction, the healthcare professional may use a local anesthetic to numb the affected area of the person’s hand.

After the healthcare professional has completed the reduction procedure, they may order an X-ray test to check the alignment of the bone inside the joint.

Immobilization

After reduction, a person will normally need to wear a splint to protect and immobilize the injured finger while it heals. A splint contains a rigid strip of metal that supports a broken or dislocated bone. Immobilization stops a person moving their finger and prevents them dislocating or injuring it again.

A healthcare professional may also recommend “buddy taping” the splinted finger to an adjacent finger. Buddy taping provides support for the injured finger while allowing a greater range of motion.

A person with a dislocated finger may need to wear the splint for several weeks. However, wearing a splint for too long may cause permanent stiffness and reduced mobility of the finger.

K-wire fixation

Depending on the type or severity of the injury, some people with a dislocated finger may also have a bone fracture. A fracture occurs when a significant amount of force impacts a bone causing it to splinter or break into two or more separate pieces.

Finger fractures also require reducing and splinting. Some people with finger fractures may require K-wire fixation. K-wires are thin metal rods that surgeons implant to help stabilize bone fragments.

Surgery

Dislocated fingers that involve torn ligaments, fractures, or broken bones may require a surgical procedure known as open reduction.

Like other treatments for dislocated finger, surgical procedures aim to reduce, stabilize and restore mobility to the finger without damaging surrounding structures.

Share on PinterestA person should ensure that they keep the finger splint clean and dry.

According to a 2017 review, dislocated fingers typically heal within 4 to 6 weeks. Factors that affect recovery time can include:

the severity and location of the dislocation
damage to ligaments and tendons
bone fractures
requiring surgery

Following reduction and splinting, some people may also require physical or occupational therapy. A physical or occupational therapist will show a person how to do exercises that strengthen the finger and improve the range of motion.

Some things people can do at home while their finger heals include:

keeping their splint clean and dry
keeping their finger elevated above the level of their heart to reduce swelling
resting their finger and avoiding moving it during the healing process
applying cold compresses or ice packs to reduce pain and inflammation
taking over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to help reduce pain and swelling
regularly performing any finger exercises that a therapist recommends

Following recovery, a dislocated finger may be more prone to injury in the future. A person can reduce the risk of dislocating the finger again by:

performing hand and finger exercises to strengthen muscles, tendons, and ligaments
wearing a splint or buddy tape during sports activities
avoiding wearing rings while playing sports

While painful and distressing, a dislocated finger is not a life-threatening emergency. However, it is important to seek prompt medical attention.

A person should not attempt to relocate the dislocated finger themselves. Manipulating the injured finger can cause additional damage to the joint or the surrounding structures.

Following medical treatment, dislocated fingers usually take a few weeks to heal. Bone fractures and damage to the surrounding tissues can significantly increase recovery time.

Reduction of dislocation of the phalanx of the finger – Medical Center in Makhachkala “Healer”

Dislocation of the phalanx of the finger is a pathological condition, which is characterized by displacement of the articular surfaces of the bones that form one of the joints of the finger. As a result, the articular surfaces no longer coincide with each other, stretching or tearing of the ligaments of the joint or joint bag occurs. This pathology is considered one of the most common limb injuries. Dislocation of fingers is more often diagnosed.

Types of dislocations of the fingers

Depending on the side of displacement of the articular surfaces, the following types of dislocations of the fingers are distinguished:

lateral;
palmar;
rear.

Depending on the location, dislocations are distinguished: the main, nail and / or middle phalanx.

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The main cause of dislocations is a strong mechanical impact, which occurs as a result of excessive stress on the palms, when falling with emphasis on the hands. Heavy lifting or direct bruising of the fingers can also lead to dislocation of the phalanx of the finger.

The presence of a dislocation of the finger can be suspected by the following signs:

sharp pain at the site of injury, aggravated by an attempt to move or by touch;
unnatural position of the finger;
swelling, redness of the affected area;
characteristic crunch in the joint during injury.

Diagnosis of dislocation of the phalanx of the finger

Diagnosis of dislocation is carried out by a traumatologist. To make an accurate diagnosis, an x-ray examination is performed in two projections. Thanks to the X-ray, it is possible to determine the location of the damage, to assess the condition of the surrounding tissues.

The symptoms of a dislocation are similar to those of a broken finger. Therefore, timely examination is necessary for differential diagnosis and determination of further treatment tactics.

First aid for a dislocated finger

If you suspect a dislocated finger, you should immediately go to the nearest emergency room. The sooner such assistance is provided, the lower the risk of complications. In the first minutes after injury, it is recommended:

carefully remove the injured limb from clothing and jewelry;
apply cold to the affected area for 15–20 minutes;
hold the hand in a raised position;
to secure the joint;
if there is a wound, treat it with an antiseptic;
for severe pain, take an analgesic.

Treatment of dislocation of the phalanx of the finger

Depending on the results of the x-ray examination, the treatment of dislocation of the phalanx of the finger can be performed conservatively (closed) and surgically (open) method.

The conservative method is used for dislocation without complications. Due to the pain of the procedure, local anesthesia is preliminarily performed. First, the doctor fixes the forearm of the hand in an elevated position. This is necessary to reduce swelling at the site of injury. Then the injured finger is gently retracted to the side and the tip is pulled in the direction of the axis. You can determine the return of the joint to its normal position by a characteristic click.

When the thumb is repositioned, it is rotated to the ulnar side with simultaneous flexion in the nail phalanx. Next, the joint is immobilized with a plaster splint.

The recovery period after conservative treatment takes about 4-5 weeks.

The surgical method is indicated for tendon entrapment. The operation is performed under local or conduction anesthesia. If there is an infringement of the tendon of the thumb, then during the intervention, the tendon is shifted and the joint is reduced.

In case of dislocation of the remaining fingers, the injured tendon is fixed to the bone with special sutures. After that, the reduction is carried out. The operation ends with the imposition of a plaster splint for a period of 3 weeks.

Reduction of dislocation of fingers in the medical center “Healer” in Makhachkala

The clinic employs highly qualified traumatologists with many years of practical experience. Each patient is given an individual approach, which allows us to make an accurate diagnosis and carry out the necessary treatment as soon as possible. The clinic is equipped with modern expert-class equipment. All services are provided at an affordable price.

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Dislocation of the toes, causes, symptoms and treatment

Dislocation of the toes, causes, symptoms and treatment | Injuries and damage

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Dislocation of the toes

A dislocation of the toe is a displacement of a bone at a joint that can occur between the bones of the metatarsus and the main phalanges or between the phalanges of the toe. Most often, the injury affects the big and fourth toes, as well as the little finger. The rest of the fingers can be dislocated mainly with a serious injury to the foot and its complete deformity. If such an injury occurs, do not postpone a visit to a traumatologist or surgeon.

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Causes of dislocation of toes

The main cause of dislocation is a combined injury, in which there is a bruise and subsequent displacement of the bones of the joint. Such injuries most often occur when:

hitting the fingers with heavy objects;
falling large objects on the leg;
hitting the corners of furniture with the little finger;
unsuccessful jumps or falls.

Article checked

Kuchenkov A.V.

Orthopedist • Traumatologist • Surgeon • Phlebologist • Sports doctor • experience 25 years

Publication date: March 24, 2021

Review date: February 12, 2023

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Toe dislocation symptoms

the doctor asks what kind of injury the patient suffered, assesses the physiological situation finger and the presence of deformation, writes down complaints.

For an accurate diagnosis, the victim is x-rayed:

Which doctor to contact

Consequences

Prevention

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Moskaleva V.V.

Editor • Journalist • Experience 10 years

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Dislocated pinky finger knuckle: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Recovery, and More

Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Recovery, and More

Sports injuries

Fall

Accident

Genetics

Reduction

Splint

Buddy tape

Surgery

How we reviewed this article:

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Application accepted

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Diagnosis of dislocation of the phalanx of the finger

First aid for a dislocated finger

Treatment of dislocation of the phalanx of the finger

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Article content

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the doctor asks what kind of injury the patient suffered, assesses the physiological situation finger and the presence of deformation, writes down complaints.

Which doctor to contact

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