Patient education: Finger dislocation (The Basics)

What is a finger dislocation? — A finger dislocation is when 1 of the bones in a finger joint is pushed or pulled out of position. The bone can be forced to the front, back, or side of the joint. When this happens, the finger bones don't line up correctly.

A finger dislocation usually happens from a sudden injury. Sometimes, the injury causing the dislocation also causes a broken finger bone. The medical term for this is "finger fracture."

What are the symptoms of a finger dislocation? — A finger dislocation causes pain and swelling around the joint. People can usually see or feel that their finger bone is out of position. Because the finger bone is out of position, people have trouble bending or straightening their finger.

Should I see a doctor or nurse? — See your doctor or nurse right away if you hurt your finger and you have symptoms of a finger dislocation.

Is there a test for a finger dislocation? — Yes. The doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms, do an exam, and do an X-ray. An X-ray can show if your bone is out of position. It can also show if you have a finger fracture.

How is a finger dislocation treated? — Treatment depends on how severe your finger dislocation is and if you also have a finger fracture.

People with a severe dislocation or who also have a finger fracture usually need to see a hand surgeon. This is a doctor who is a specialist in treating hand problems. They will likely need to do surgery to put the bone back in the correct position.

If your finger dislocation is not severe, the doctor can do a procedure to put your bone back in the correct position. Before they do this, you might get a shot to numb your finger or medicine to make you sleepy.

During the procedure, the doctor will gently push or pull your finger back into the correct position. Then they will put a splint on your finger. The doctor will do another X-ray to check that your bone is in the correct position. Most people need to wear the splint for days to weeks, depending on which joint was dislocated.

Is there anything else I should know about a finger dislocation? — Yes. You should know that:

●A dislocated joint has a higher chance of dislocating again.

●Finger joint stiffness or soreness can last for many months after a finger dislocation.

More on this topic

Patient education: Finger fracture (The Basics)
Patient education: Common finger injuries (The Basics)
Patient education: Caring for your cast (The Basics)
Patient education: Caring for your child's cast (The Basics)

Patient education: Cast and splint care (Beyond the Basics)