Dislocated Finger

A dislocated finger occurs when the bones in a finger joint are forced out of their normal position. When this finger trauma develops, it often also damages nearby ligaments, tendons and muscles, which work together to help keep the joint stable and in alignment. Dislocations can occur in any finger, but the most common are index finger, thumb or pinky finger dislocations.

Summit Orthopedics’ hand and wrist specialists provide expert diagnosis and treatment for dislocated fingers at locations throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

Dislocated Finger Symptoms

You can usually tell if your finger is dislocated by looking for these symptoms:

• Finger joint may appear crooked or deformed
• Inability to move the finger
• Injured joint may quickly bruise and swell, making it difficult to move the finger
• Numbness or tingling that occurs if a dislocated finger pinches or damages nearby nerves
• Pain that occurs immediately after the injury and worsens if you try to move the finger

Dislocated Finger Causes

A finger dislocation often happens due to sudden trauma. Common causes include:

• Accidents: Getting your hand caught or crushed during work or daily activities can force a finger out of place.
• Falls: Falling on an outstretched finger or hand can force the finger joint out of position.
• Sports injuries: Basketball, football and volleyball often involve quick hand movements, increasing the risk of finger dislocations.

Repeated injuries to the same finger joint can weaken it, making future finger dislocations more likely.

When to See a Doctor for a Dislocated Finger

Dislocated fingers need urgent medical care. You can visit the ER or urgent care if you think you’ve dislocated your finger. Delaying treatment can lead to long-term problems, including joint instability and arthritis.

Diagnosing a Dislocated Finger

If you think you have a dislocated finger, see a doctor as soon as possible so they can diagnose and treat your injury, which can ease pain and prevent further damage.

Your doctor will likely X-ray your finger to determine which of your three finger joints are dislocated and how the injury is best treated.

Finger Dislocation Treatment

Treatment for a dislocated finger usually involves several steps, most of which don’t involve surgery.

Reduction (Realignment)

Your doctor will gently move the dislocated bones back into place. This is called reduction. You may need a local anesthetic to reduce pain during this procedure.

Immobilization

After your doctor realigns the joint, they may splint or tape the injured finger to another finger (called buddy taping). This helps keep the joint stable and prevents further injury.

Pain Management

You can reduce swelling and manage pain by applying ice packs for 15 to 20 minutes at a time several times a day and keeping the injured area elevated. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also help reduce swelling and pain.

Physical Therapy

Once the finger starts to heal, you may need physical therapy to restore movement and strength to the joint. If you need physical therapy, you will learn exercises from a physical therapist, and you will practice those exercises at home.

Surgery

You generally don’t need surgery for a dislocated finger unless you have a bone fracture or severe damage to the ligaments or surrounding tissue. Your doctor may also recommend surgery if your joint remains unstable after treatment, the finger is in a bent position and can’t be straightened manually by your doctor or the fracture is large.

Recovery From a Dislocated Finger

Recovery time depends on the severity of the dislocation. In most cases, you can expect healing to take three to six weeks. Severe dislocations may have a longer recovery.

A dislocated finger is a painful but very treatable injury. Most people recover fully with proper treatment. By taking precautions during sports and other activities, you can reduce your risk of future dislocations.

Find your Summit Orthopedics hand and wrist expert, request an appointment online or call us at (651) 968-5201 to schedule a consultation.