A dislocated finger occurs when a finger bone slips out of its joint. Sports injuries, falls, and accidents tin 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, information technology is still of import to seek prompt medical attention.

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

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A person should not try to relocate a dislocated finger themselves.
Epitome credit: Mdumont01, 2013

People who suspect they have dislocated their finger should seek firsthand medical attention. While waiting for help or heading to a dispensary, it is important non to move the damaged finger or thumb. Applying ice to the finger may assist to reduce pain and swelling.

Exercise not try to move the finger os back into its joint; a qualified healthcare professional person must do this. Trying to relocate the finger bone without proper preparation can make the injury worse and cause additional hurting and swelling.

People who effort to move their own finger bone back into place also hazard permanently damaging the surrounding structures, such every bit:

  • tendons
  • ligaments
  • fretfulness
  • blood vessels
  • joint articular cartilage

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

Other signs that betoken a dislocated finger include:

  • numbness or tingling
  • bruising or discoloration of the peel
  • difficulty moving the injured finger

Fingers contain three joints, and thumbs incorporate ii. A joint is where the ends of two bones meet. Ligaments are brusk bands of fibrous material that hold the bones together and assist support the articulation.

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

Sports injuries are a common cause of dislocated fingers. Co-ordinate to a 2022 review, around half of all sports-related hand injuries bear on the fingers. Sports with the highest rates of manus injuries include football game, gymnastics, basketball, lacrosse, and wrestling.

Other possible causes of a confused finger tin 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.

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A doctor may use an X-ray to ostend a dislocation or fracture.

A healthcare professional volition examine the afflicted finger and inquire the person virtually how and when the injury occurred. They may then social club an imaging exam to confirm a dislocation or evaluate the extent of impairment 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 employ X-ray images to confirm dislocations and to check for fractures or breaks.
  • MRI browse. An MRI browse uses stiff magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of the tissues inside the body. A doctor may recommend an MRI browse if they doubtable significant tissue damage almost the dislocated joint.

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

Reduction

The first footstep in treating a dislocated finger or pollex typically involves carefully manipulating the os back into the joint. The process is known as reduction.

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

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

Immobilization

After reduction, a person volition usually need to article of clothing a splint to protect and immobilize the injured finger while it heals. A splint contains a rigid strip of metallic that supports a broken or confused bone. Immobilization stops a person moving their finger and prevents them dislocating or injuring information technology again.

A healthcare professional may likewise recommend "buddy taping" the splinted finger to an next finger. Buddy taping provides support for the injured finger while assuasive a greater range of motion.

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

Thousand-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 meaning corporeality of force impacts a bone causing information technology to splinter or interruption into 2 or more split pieces.

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

Surgery

Dislocated fingers that involve torn ligaments, fractures, or cleaved basic may require a surgical process known as open reduction.

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

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A person should ensure that they go on the finger splint make clean and dry.

According to a 2017 review, dislocated fingers typically heal within 4 to half dozen weeks. Factors that impact recovery time tin can include:

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

Post-obit reduction and splinting, some people may likewise require physical or occupational therapy. A physical or occupational therapist will testify a person how to exercise exercises that strengthen the finger and improve the range of move.

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

  • keeping their splint clean and dry out
  • keeping their finger elevated in a higher place the level of their heart to reduce swelling
  • resting their finger and avoiding moving it during the healing procedure
  • applying cold compresses or ice packs to reduce hurting and inflammation
  • taking over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to help reduce hurting and swelling
  • regularly performing whatever finger exercises that a therapist recommends

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

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

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

A person should not endeavor 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 impairment to the surrounding tissues can significantly increase recovery time.