Finger Dislocation

Description

Finger dislocation is an injury to any finger joint so that adjoining bones are displaced from their normal position and no longer touch each other. Finger subluxation is less common and occurs when the joint surfaces still touch but are not in a normal relationship to each other. Fractures often accompany finger dislocations and subluxations, but ligament sprains must occur for these injuries to occur. Finger dislocations are a common problem for athletes.

Common signs and symptoms

• Severe pain at the time of injury and when attempting to move the injured finger

• Loss of function of the dislocated joint

• Tenderness, obvious deformity, swelling, and bruising at the injury site

• Numbness or paralysis below the dislocation from pinching, cutting, or pressure on the blood vessels or nerves (uncommon)

Causes

• A direct or indirect blow, twisting injury, or landing on the hand, finger, or thumb

• Severe finger sprain or fracture

• A congenital abnormality (birth defect), such as a shallow or malformed joint surface

Factors that increase risk

• Participation in contact sports, especially baseball, football, basketball, and soccer

• Previous finger or hand sprains or dislocations

• Repeated injury to any joint in the hand

• Poor conditioning of the hand (strength, flexibility)

Preventive measures

• Appropriately warm up and stretch before practice or competition.

• Maintain appropriate conditioning, especially hand strength and flexibility.

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