Finger Dislocation

First aid for a dislocated finger

1. Do not try to pop it back yourself. An associated fracture or trapped tissue can make it worse, and an X-ray is often needed first.
2. Remove rings immediately before swelling makes it impossible.
3. Ice the finger, wrapped in a cloth, for 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Splint it as it lies: tape it gently to the neighboring finger or rest it on a padded stick.
5. Keep the hand raised above the heart.
6. Get medical care the same day at an urgent care center or ER.

Types of finger dislocation

Symptoms

• finger visibly bent, crooked or shortened at a joint
• immediate pain and swelling
• inability to move or bend the joint
• bruising
• numbness or tingling if nerves are stretched

Causes

• ball sports: basketball, volleyball, football and baseball, when a ball strikes the fingertip
• falls onto an outstretched hand
• contact sports, wrestling and martial arts
• catching a finger in clothing or equipment
• workplace and vehicle injuries

Diagnosis

A clinician will examine the finger, check sensation and blood flow, and arrange X-rays from the front and side, ideally before and always after reduction. X-rays show:

• an associated finger fracture, including small avulsion fractures where a ligament or plate pulls off a fragment of bone
• whether the joint is fully back in place

After reduction, the doctor tests stability and tendon function. Ultrasound or MRI is occasionally used for suspected ligament or tendon tears.

Treatment

Reduction

Most dislocations are reduced in the clinic or ER after a digital nerve block (numbing injection at the base of the finger). The clinician applies gentle traction and pressure to guide the bone back into place.

After reduction

• Buddy taping to the neighboring finger for stable injuries, allowing early movement
• Extension block splint for some PIP dislocations, preventing full straightening while allowing bending
• Splinting in extension for volar PIP dislocations with tendon injury, often for 4 to 6 weeks
• Early, guided movement to prevent stiffness, often with a hand therapist

Surgery

Surgery may be needed for:

• dislocations that cannot be reduced, where tissue is trapped (common in complex MCP dislocations)
• unstable joints or fracture-dislocations involving a large part of the joint surface
• open dislocations
• complete thumb ulnar collateral ligament tears (Stener lesion)
• tendon injuries such as boutonniere deformity that do not respond to splinting

Recovery

• Most simple dislocations regain useful function within 3 to 6 weeks.
• Swelling and stiffness of the middle joint commonly last 3 to 6 months, and the joint may stay slightly thicker permanently.
• Return to sport is often possible within days to weeks with buddy taping, depending on the injury and sport.
• Hand therapy exercises are key to preventing lasting stiffness.

Complications

• chronic stiffness and loss of motion (joint contracture)
• persistent swelling
• instability or repeat dislocation
• post-traumatic arthritis
• boutonniere or swan-neck deformity from tendon or volar plate damage

Frequently asked questions

Can I pop a dislocated finger back in myself?

It is better not to. The finger may also be broken, or tissue may be trapped in the joint, and forcing it can cause more damage. Remove rings, ice and splint it, and get it reduced and X-rayed by a clinician the same day.

How long does a dislocated finger take to heal?

Most simple finger dislocations regain function within 3 to 6 weeks. Swelling and stiffness, especially at the middle joint, can last 3 to 6 months, and the joint may remain slightly enlarged. Fracture-dislocations and ligament injuries take longer.

How do I know if my finger is dislocated or broken?

A dislocation usually looks obviously crooked at a joint, while a fracture may cause swelling, bruising and pain along the bone. They often occur together. Only an X-ray can tell reliably, so any deformed or very painful finger after injury should be checked.

Do you need surgery for a dislocated finger?

Usually not. Most are reduced without surgery and treated with buddy taping or a splint. Surgery is needed for dislocations that cannot be reduced, unstable joints, significant fractures, open wounds into the joint or certain thumb ligament tears.

What is the difference between a jammed finger and a dislocated finger?

A jammed finger is a sprain where the joint is compressed and ligaments are stretched, causing pain and swelling but no deformity. In a dislocation, the bones are pushed out of alignment and the finger looks crooked. Both should be checked if swelling or pain persists.