Finger dislocations

[Sonia]

Finger dislocations occur when the bones of the fingers move out of their normal position.

Most finger dislocations occur at the middle joint, usually when the finger is bent backward,
Usually, the finger is obviously crooked.
To diagnose a finger dislocation, doctors take x-rays from several angles.
After injecting an anesthetic into the base of the affected finger, doctors can usually manipulate the bones back in place without surgery.
Typically, people need to wear a splint for about 3 weeks.

(See also Overview of Dislocations.)
Most finger dislocations occur at the middle joint. But they may occur at other finger joints. They usually occur when the finger is bent backward, as may occur when a basketball or baseball strikes the tip of an outstretched finger. But they may occur when the finger is bent sideways or forward.
The ligaments that hold the finger bones together may be torn. If a finger bone is pulled away from tendons attached to it, a piece of bone may be broken off and stay attached to the tendon (called an avulsion fracture).

[Jason Yan]

Most finger dislocations occur at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint; they are usually caused by hyperextension and thus are usually dorsal.

(See Overview of Dislocations.)

Finger dislocations can be dorsal, lateral, or volar. They may rupture various combinations of supporting ligaments. Most cause obvious deformities, as well as pain and swelling.

Anteroposterior, lateral, and oblique x-rays are taken. Lateral views should be taken with the affected digit visibly separated from the others.

For most dislocations, closed reduction is done after a digital nerve block is used. For all PIP dislocations, stability of the lateral ligaments is assessed by stress testing after the dislocation is reduced.