Understanding finger dislocations

A finger dislocation happens when the bones in your finger's joint shift out of their usual position. This can happen if your finger gets bent or twisted. Dislocations can affect any of the joints in your fingers.

Causes of finger dislocation 

Several things can lead to finger dislocations: 

Falls: Accidentally landing on your hand when you fall can make your finger joints bend in ways they're not supposed to. 

Sports or activities: Playing sports or doing activities that involve catching balls or gripping objects can sometimes cause your finger joints to get twisted. 

Accidents: If your finger gets jammed or crushed in an accident, it might result in a dislocation. 

Symptoms of Finger Dislocation 

Knowing the signs of a dislocated finger is essential so you can get the right help: 

Pain and swelling: Your finger might hurt a lot, and the joint might look swollen. 

Change in shape: Your finger might look different or crooked from your other fingers. 

Trouble moving: You could find it hard to move or bend your finger because of the pain. 

Bruising: There might be some bruising around the joint, which can look like purple or blue marks. 

Unstable feeling: Your finger might feel shaky or unstable when using it. 

Treatment and recovery

If you suspect a finger dislocation, follow these steps: 

Rest and immobilise: Don't try to fix it yourself. Keep your finger still; don't move it around, as you may worsen the injury.

Cold compress: Putting an ice pack wrapped in a cloth on the swollen area can help reduce pain and swelling. 

Consult with an expert: An Accredited Hand Therapist is a physiotherapist or occupational therapist with expertise in the finger, hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. They can assess the finger and determine whether they can treat the dislocation or whether surgery under anaesthetic may be required.

If the ligaments do not heal satisfactorily, the joint may become unstable and prone to further dislocations, loss of finger function, long-term joint stiffness, or arthritis.

Early intervention and hand therapy can help to minimise these risks.

Immobilisation: After the bones are back in place, your finger might need to be wrapped or put in an orthosis or brace to keep it steady while it heals. 

Rehabilitation exercises: As your finger heals, you might need to do exercises to help it regain movement and flexibility. 

Sport: Your Accredited Hand Therapist may make a playing guard in the latter part of rehabilitation if it is safe for an early return to sport.

Find a local Accredited Hand Therapist

Patients can find a local Accredited Hand Therapist on our website using the link below.

Find an Accredited Hand Therapist