What can I expect after a finger dislocation?
Your fingers are made up of several small bones and each one of these is called a ‘phalanx’. These bones are connected to each other in small joints. A dislocation is when one of these joints is disrupted due to the bones moving out of position. This is a common injury.
The following symptoms for this type of injury include:
- Pain straight after an injury
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Deformity at the site of injury
- Difficulty moving the finger and gripping
Once your finger is back in joint, you will have it strapped. Some people might be put in plaster cast or splint to support the injured area. Compression bandaging can be useful in helping to reduce swelling.
Healing: Most finger dislocations heal without any problems. You should regain movement quickly with regular exercise. However, it may take a couple of months for your symptoms to settle completely.
Pain: Pain can be eased by taking simple pain killers. You may find it continues to be a bit achy and swollen for several months after injury. It is normal for your hand to ache in cold weather or if you accidently knock it. This may be the case for up to six months following your injury.
Swelling: You may notice that your finger is swollen after the injury. Elevating your hand can help to reduce swelling.
Function: Use your hand as normal as possible within the limitations of pain. This is to prevent your finger and hand becoming stiff.
Strapping
Most finger dislocations will be treated conservatively by simply putting it back into joint and very rarely need an operation. The finger may be put into a splint or held to the uninjured finger next to it, this is called buddy strapping. This is usually done with tape or a Bedford splint which is a special fabric that achieves the same thing. Buddy strapping is a common way to support and encourage movement of the finger.
| Weeks since injury | Plan |
| 0-3 | Use the strapping, for comfort until your pain settles.Move your fingers gently to prevent stiffness – see initial exercises. |
| 3-6 | Remove the strapping when pain settles unless you are advised to keep it on for longer.Start doing additional exercises. |
| 6-12 | Symptoms should be resolved, and you should regain full movement. Swelling should settle between 6-8 weeks but may take a few months to fully settle.Increase activity gradually using pain as a guide. For children, it is important that all sporting activities are avoided for at least 6-8 weeks after the injury. |
| 12+ | Resume contact sporting activities as pain allows.Avoid heavy lifting until around 12 weeks after injury. Use pain as a guide.If you are still experiencing significant pain and / or stiffness please contact us for further advice. |
If after 6 weeks you are still experiencing significant pain, swelling, difficulty moving your fingers or if you have a rotational deformity, please contact us using the contact telephone numbers below.
Initial Exercises
Start these initially with your buddy strapping on. Work though the below exercises in sequence, the movement will be restricted but aim to bend and straighten the fingers comfortably. Do not force this. Initially pain, swelling and bruising will restrict movement.
Exercises
| Week Since Injury | Plan |
| 0-3 | Keep the strapping on for the first 2-3 weeks (including when doing the exercises below)Keep your fingers moving to prevent stiffness, exercises as below |
| 3-6 | Aim to get full movement in the fingerGradually increase strenuous activities as pain allows |
| 6-12 | The injury should have healed around 12 weeksReturn to all activities as pain allowsFull contact sport and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least 6 weeks until symptoms have settled |
| 12+ | If you are still experiencing significant pain and swelling, please contact the number below |
Stage 1 exercises
The aim is to make a fist but do not force the movement and work within your limits as pain and swelling allows. Perform the exercises slowly and regularly every day to help you regain full movement. Initially pain and swelling will restrict the movement, this is normal at this stage. Work through the following sequence. You can do these exercises with the strapping on.
Repeat each x 5-10, several times per day.
Touch each finger to your thumb, repeat x 5, several times per day
Stage 2 exercises
At 2 weeks, the aim is to fully straighten your finger as pain allows and continue to fully bend it. Use your other hand to keep your finger steady, support underneath the joint to be moved, then bend and straighten the joints in all your fingers. If finger joints become stiff in a bent position, hold them in a straighter position with the help of the other hand. Hold the position for 10 seconds. Repeat x 5
From 4-6 weeks
You can exercise the fingers with very mild resistance and increase it gradually as pain allows (for example squeezing a light sponge, pair of socks, soft putty or playdoh). You should avoid heavy lifting, gripping or contact sports until at least 6 weeks when the finger is feeling better.
Return to Work or Driving
You can return to work when you feel able to manage physical tasks required in your job. You can return to driving when you feel confident in operating the car safely and you can safely perform an emergency stop, have good grip strength and are not in significant hand pain. It is not advised to drive if you have a splint, tape or straps on your hand. Please refer to the DVLA website regarding fitness to drive or your insurance company if you are unsure.
Physiotherapy referral
If you feel you need further input you can self-refer to your local physiotherapy team if you are registered with a Gateshead, Newcastle or Durham GP or request your GP to refer you if you have a Sunderland GP, information can be found below:
If you are a registered patient of a Gateshead or Newcastle GP, the Tyneside Integrated Musculoskeletal Service (TIMS) will be your physiotherapy provider: https://www.tims.nhs.uk/
If you are a registered patient of Durham GP, the county Durham integrated MSK service will be your physiotherapy provider: https://patient.inhealthcare.co.uk/selfenrol/v2/form
If you are a registered patient of South Tyneside and Sunderland, the Sunderland integrated MSK service will be your physiotherapy provider: https://sunderlandims.co.uk/
Contact Numbers
| Telephone numbers | |
| During the hours of 8am – 8pm contact the Orthopaedic secretaries | 0191 445 8500 |
| During the hours of 8pm -8am the Peter Smith Surgery Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital | 0191 445 2028 |
| During the hours of 8am -4:30pm contact the Physiotherapy Department (answer machine out of hours) | 0191 445 2320 |
| Main switchboard | 0191 482 0000 |