Finger dislocation is a common, serious injury. It occurs when the bones of the finger are moved (dislocated) from their normal anatomic position. Finger dislocation can occur in any of the joints of any finger, but it occurs most often in the middle knuckle of the little (pinky), ring, middle, or index finger. A break in the bone (fracture) may accompany these dislocations, but they frequently happen without any breaks.
Accidents can cause the application of a "jamming" force to the end of the finger, or the finger may be forcefully hyperextended. Either of these situations or a combination of both, can result in a dislocation.
A dislocated finger is usually obvious. The finger appears crooked, swollen, and is very painful. It may be bent upward or at strange angles. Especially thumb dislocations can appear quite dramatic. The person probably won't be able to bend or straighten the finger if it is dislocated. Any of the joints of a finger can be involved (DIP or distal interphalangeal joint; PIP or proximal interphalangeal joint; or MCP or metacarpophalangeal joint).
An individual should see a doctor at once when a person has a dislocated finger. Delaying a visit to a doctor for an injury can make final treatment more difficult and can lead to delayed healing or permanent disability.
Go to the emergency department immediately if there is any loss of sensation (numbness), if there are any open areas of skin, bone is visible or if the finger is cold, pale, or bluish in color.
Your health care provider will usually ask how the injury occurred as well as general questions about your health (allergies to medications; chronic medical conditions; medications you take, etc.). The doctor will first examine the injured finger and possibly the remainder of the hand and any other possibly injured areas. Usually, he or she will then X-ray the finger to confirm the dislocation and assess for any broken bones. A health care professional will evaluate the finger and hand for tendon and ligamentous injuries that might accompany the dislocation.
Health care professionals do not recommended that a person treat a dislocated finger at home. A visit to a doctor or the emergency department is usually necessary.
The doctor will realign the dislocated bones with a simple technique. This will often require a local anesthetic injection into the finger or finger joint to help decrease or stop the pain and allow the doctor to reduce the dislocation and realign the bones. The patient may also receive medications by mouth, injection, or IV to help the pain, relax the patient, and ease the reduction.
Health care professionals can put back most simple dislocations into their natural position easily. Full function in the injured finger will usually return. Mild or moderate discomfort or disability can continue for 12-18 months. Some permanent swelling or disfigurement of the injured joint may be expected.
Occasionally, a fragment of the dislocated joint or some surrounding tissue becomes lodged between the displaced bones. This prevents the bones from going into their natural position. Surgery may be necessary to put the bones into the correct position. Results of this surgery are usually very good, but some function may be lost.
Finger dislocations are usually the result of an accident, work, or sports-related, and accidents are not always preventable.
The use of X-rays allows physicians to look inside the body to diagnosis an injury or illness. When done for appropriate situations, X-rays are safe and beneficial. It is important that X-rays are not misused or overused because over a lifetime, a person may be exposed to a fairly large amount of cumulative radiation, and it is important than the benefit of each X-ray test be considered before it is done.
