Finger Dislocations

by Apple Therapy

Finger Dislocations

• Can occur at all 3 joints of the finger.
• The fingers are most commonly at risk of dislocation when exposed to high
  impact activities and forced overstretching.
  • Such forces are most typically experienced during sports, especially fullcontact
    sports like rugby, basketball and football.
• Depending on the severity of the dislocation, the displaced bone can cause
  damage to the surrounding tissues.
  • Some dislocations are associated with a fracture.
• The most common joint to be dislocated is the PIP.
  • The fingers most involved are the small, ring and index.

Finger Disclocations: Type and Diagnosis

• PIP joint dislocations (coach’s finger) can be very
  complicated.
  • The injury can involve the static (collateral ligaments and
    volar plate) stabilizers and the dynamic (intrinsic muscles,
    central slip and lateral bands) stabilizers.
  • Digital arteries and nerves may also be involved.
• The dislocation can be dorsal, volar or lateral.
  • Most PIP joint dislocations are dorsal, which can result in
    swan neck deformities if untreated.
  • Volar dislocations when untreated can result in a
    boutonniere or pseudo- boutonniere deformity.
    • A true boutonniere deformity has a disruption of the
      central slip, not the volar plate.
• Diagnosis can be made with plain X-rays and need to be
  performed to rule out fractures.
  • An evaluation should also rule out tendon avulsions such
    as mallet finger or FDP disruption.