To improve range of motion, use your uninjured hand to slowly bend the injured finger, holding the position for five seconds. Next, slowly straighten the finger, also holding for five seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times, three to five times a day.
Full Answer
How do you fix a dislocated finger?
Jul 16, 2020 · Performing wrist and hand exercises such as moving each finger through its range of motion and clenching the fist will prevent stiffness and keep blood flowing to the area. Medical Treatment. Symptoms of a dislocated finger include: pain, swelling, looking bent or deformed, not being able to move the finger. 1.
How long does it take for a dislocated finger to heal?
Jul 08, 2011 · Hold this position for five to 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise 10 times, at least three times per day. This exercise can also be done with a tennis or stress ball. Adduction to Abduction. Starting with your fingers together, slowly spread your fingers as far apart as you can without inducing pain. Return to the starting position.
What exercises can I do to treat a broken finger?
May 22, 2014 · Do these exercises 3 to 5 times a day. Fist making: Make your hand into a fist. If the injured finger will not bend into the fist, try to help it with your other hand. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times. Object pick-up: Practice picking up small objects, such as coins, marbles, pins, or buttons, with your thumb and injured finger.
How do I do the exercises for hand injuries?
Oct 01, 2020 · A dislocated finger is usually painful, swollen, red, visibly crooked, may be numb or tingling, and may be difficult to move. Once an X-ray has confirmed the dislocation, treatment often includes pain control via anesthetics, a reset of the joint, and splinting. Surgery may be necessary in cases of joint dislocation or associated fractures.
How long does it take for a dislocated finger to fully heal?
You can usually return to your normal activities, including sports, within a few weeks following your injury. But it can take up to six months for your finger to fully heal.
How long should you exercise your fingers?
Gently move your thumb away from your fingers as far as you can. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds and release. Repeat 10 to 15 times with both hands. You can do this exercise two to three times a week, but rest your hands for 48 hours in between sessions.Oct 5, 2020
How do you rehab a dislocated finger?
Isolated PIP flexionPlace the hand with the affected finger flat on a table, palm up. With your other hand, press down on the fingers that are not affected. Your affected finger will be free to move.Slowly bend your affected finger. Hold for about 6 seconds. Then straighten your finger.Repeat 8 to 12 times.
What is the fastest way to heal a dislocated finger?
Apply an ice pack to your dislocated finger for 20-30 minutes every 3-4 hours for the first 2-3 days or until the pain and swelling have subsided. This should lessen the pain and swelling that results from the finger dislocation.Nov 23, 2020
How do you strengthen finger tendons?
0:101:19Finger Tendon Strengthening Exercises v - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAgainst the tip of that finger as it flexes up make sure you keep the rest of the fingers flat inMoreAgainst the tip of that finger as it flexes up make sure you keep the rest of the fingers flat in your phony. Move and isolating this joint. Make sure that you do not bring up the rest of the finger.
What happens if you leave a dislocated finger untreated?
Although a common injury, finger dislocations that are not treated properly can result in chronic pain, stiffness, poor function, and deformity.
Will a dislocated finger heal on its own?
Most injuries like this heal without any problems in about six weeks. You should regain movement quickly with regular exercise (within four weeks). However, it may take several months for your symptoms to settle completely. These can include pain or discomfort, stiffness, decreased strength and swelling.
Can a dislocated finger heal itself?
According to a 2017 review , dislocated fingers typically heal within 4 to 6 weeks. Factors that affect recovery time can include: the severity and location of the dislocation. damage to ligaments and tendons.Mar 13, 2019
How do you loosen a stiff finger?
Finger stretchStart with the hand flat on a table, with the palm facing down.Apply slight pressure so that the fingers lie as straight and as flat against the table as possible without forcing the joints or causing pain.Hold this for up to 60 seconds, then release the position.Repeat this five times each day.Mar 24, 2022
How long can a finger stay swollen?
Swelling may occur and last for a few weeks. The swelling should go down after a few weeks, but the swelling may persist depending on the severity of the injury. You may even notice decreased pain and increased mobility even though your finger is still swollen.Mar 16, 2017
How to move a finger that is not affected?
Place the hand with the affected finger flat on a table, palm up. With your other hand, press down on the fingers that are not affected. Your affected finger will be free to move.
How to get a swollen finger out of your hand?
Place your good hand on a table, palm up. Put your hand with the affected finger on top of your good hand. Use the thumb and fingers of your good hand to grasp below the middle joint of your affected finger. Bend and then straighten the last two joints of your affected finger. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
How to do slide 9 of 9?
slide 9 of 9, Towel grab, Fold a small towel in half, and lay it flat on a table. Put your hand flat on the towel, palm down. Grab the towel, and scrunch it toward you until your hand is in a fist. Slowly straighten your fingers to push the towel back so it is flat on the table again. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
How to get a hook out of your hand?
Slowly uncurl the joints of your hand with the affected finger where your fingers connect to your hand so that only the top two joints of your fingers are bent. Your fingers will look like a hook. Move back to your starting position, with your fingers wrapped around your good thumb. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
How to make a fist?
Make a fist by bending your knuckles. Your thumb can gently rest against your index (pointing) finger. Unwind your fingers slightly so that your fingertips can touch the base of your palm. Your thumb can rest against your index finger . Move back to your starting position, with your fingers and thumb pointing up.
How to do dip flexion?
slide 3 of 9, DIP flexion, With your good hand, grasp your affected finger. Your thumb will be on the top side of your finger just below the joint that is closest to your fingernail. Slowly bend your affected finger only at the joint closest to your fingernail. Hold for about 6 seconds.
How to do MP extension?
MP extension. Place your good hand on a table, palm up. Put your hand with the affected finger on top of your good hand with your fingers wrapped around the thumb of your good hand like you are making a fist. Slowly uncurl the joints of your hand with the affected finger where your fingers connect to your hand so that only the top two joints ...
What causes a dislocated finger?
A dislocated finger can occur in any of the joints of any finger. Many dislocated fingers are caused by sports injuries, especially sports played with a ball, such as football, basketball, and volleyball.
Do you need to splint your wrist?
require range-of-motion exercises in addition to splinting to maintain the hand and wrist in a position of function, with the wrist slightly extended and the phalanges slightly flexed.1 Complete recovery occurs in most cases, and patients who do not completely recover usually show some degree of improvement.
Range of Motion
Increasing movement and flexibility of the injured finger is an important part of finger rehabilitation. To improve range of motion, use your uninjured hand to slowly bend the injured finger, holding the position for five seconds. Next, slowly straighten the finger, also holding for five seconds.
Object Pick-up
Having a dislocated finger can make everyday activities, such as tying your shoes and writing, difficult. Using your thumb and injured finger, pick up small objects like marbles, buttons or coins to improve these motor skills.
Finger Extension
To increase flexibility of the injured finger, place the injured hand on a table with your palm facing down and fingers straight. Lift each finger individually holding for five seconds. Do 10 repetitions, three times per day.
Grip Strengthening
To strengthen the injured finger, make a fist with the injured hand. You may assist the injured finger into a fist if it does not bend on its own. Hold this position for five to 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise 10 times, at least three times per day. This exercise can also be done with a tennis or stress ball.
Adduction to Abduction
Starting with your fingers together, slowly spread your fingers as far apart as you can without inducing pain. Return to the starting position. Repeating this exercise 10 times, three times a day, will help increase range of motion.
Finger Dislocation Exercises
Your healthcare provider may recommend exercises to help you heal. Talk to your healthcare provider or physical therapist about which exercises will best help you and how to do them correctly and safely.
Finger Dislocation Exercises: References
Hall TM & Brody LT. Therapeutic Exercise Moving Toward Function. 3rd ed; Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2010.
How long should you wear a splint for a dislocated finger?
Dorsal dislocation of the middle joint of the finger requires splinting for about three to five days. Dorsal dislocation of the joint closest to the tip of the finger necessitates a splint for two to three weeks.
How to diagnose a dislocated finger?
To diagnose a dislocated finger, a physician will usually take X-rays of your finger from multiple angles in order to visualize the entirety of the joint. Imaging the finger is important for determining treatment, such as if the joint is amenable to closed reduction or popping it back into place.
What is the most common finger dislocation?
This would occur if the finger was hyperextended and bent too far backward. A dorsal dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint is the most common finger dislocation.
How to tell if finger is dislocated?
Symptoms of a dislocated finger 1 Swelling: Swelling surrounding the affected joint may be short or prolonged. The trauma to the joint disrupts the normal joint architecture and can lead to fluid shifts, thus producing the swelling. 2 Redness: The affected joint may appear red due to disturbed tissue. 3 Pain: Even minor structural damage to the joint as well as the associated swelling can lead to feelings of pain in the affected area. 4 Numbness and tingling: Branches of the radial, ulnar, and median nerves course across the joints extending to the ends of the fingers. If these branches are compressed, you may experience a sensation of numbness and tingling. 5 Functional impairment: This symptom can occur for a variety of reasons. The swelling in the affected area may inhibit movement without any underlying tendon or ligament problems. If you experience a dorsal dislocation or bend the finger too far backward, you might damage the flexor tendon, which allows us to bend our fingers toward our palm. In the case of lateral dislocation, the ligaments on the sides of the fingers, called the collateral ligaments, may be disrupted.
What is lateral dislocation?
Lateral dislocation: A lateral dislocation is the result of a finger is pulled too far sideways. Volar dislocation: A volar dislocation is if the joint is pulled too far forward, or toward the palm. This type of dislocation rarely occurs and only ever does if the finger is simultaneously rotated.
What is a dislocated finger?
A dislocated finger is the result of one of the bones in the finger being pulled apart or sideways out of alignment. Finger dislocations usually occur when the finger is bent too far backward. Although a common injury, finger dislocations that are not treated properly can result in chronic pain, stiffness, poor function, and deformity.
What happens if you bend your finger too far back?
If you experience a dorsal dislocation or bend the finger too far backward, you might damage the flexor tendon, which allows us to bend our fingers toward our palm. In the case of lateral dislocation, the ligaments on the sides of the fingers, called the collateral ligaments, may be disrupted.
How to move a finger that is not affected?
Place the hand with the affected finger flat on a table, palm up. With your other hand, press down on the fingers that are not affected. Your affected finger will be free to move.
How to get a swollen finger out of your hand?
Place your good hand on a table, palm up. Put your hand with the affected finger on top of your good hand. Use the thumb and fingers of your good hand to grasp below the middle joint of your affected finger. Bend and then straighten the last two joints of your affected finger. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
How to do slide 9 of 9?
slide 9 of 9, Towel grab, Fold a small towel in half, and lay it flat on a table. Put your hand flat on the towel, palm down. Grab the towel, and scrunch it toward you until your hand is in a fist. Slowly straighten your fingers to push the towel back so it is flat on the table again. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
How to get a hook out of your hand?
Slowly uncurl the joints of your hand with the affected finger where your fingers connect to your hand so that only the top two joints of your fingers are bent. Your fingers will look like a hook. Move back to your starting position, with your fingers wrapped around your good thumb. Repeat 8 to 12 times.
How to make a fist?
Make a fist by bending your knuckles. Your thumb can gently rest against your index (pointing) finger. Unwind your fingers slightly so that your fingertips can touch the base of your palm. Your thumb can rest against your index finger . Move back to your starting position, with your fingers and thumb pointing up.
How to do dip flexion?
slide 3 of 9, DIP flexion, With your good hand, grasp your affected finger. Your thumb will be on the top side of your finger just below the joint that is closest to your fingernail. Slowly bend your affected finger only at the joint closest to your fingernail. Hold for about 6 seconds.
How to do MP extension?
MP extension. Place your good hand on a table, palm up. Put your hand with the affected finger on top of your good hand with your fingers wrapped around the thumb of your good hand like you are making a fist. Slowly uncurl the joints of your hand with the affected finger where your fingers connect to your hand so that only the top two joints ...
How long does it take for a dislocated finger to heal?
Follow-up Care for a Dislocated Finger. Apply an ice pack to your dislocated finger for 20-30 minutes every 3-4 hours for the first 2-3 days or until the pain and swelling have subsided. This should lessen the pain and swelling that results from the finger dislocation.
How to tell if your finger is dislocated?
The finger appears crooked, swollen, and is very painful. It may be bent upward or at strange angles. You probably won’t be able to bend or straighten the finger if it is dislocated. Also: Numbness or tingling with a severe dislocation .
What is a dislocated finger?
Finger dislocation is a common injury. It occurs when the bones of the finger are moved (dislocated) from their normal position. A dislocated finger can occur in any of the joints of any finger, but it occurs most often in the middle knuckle of the little, ring, middle, or index finger.
What does it mean when your finger is numb?
Numbness or tingling with a severe dislocation. The injured finger may appear a pale color. The dislocation may cause a break in the skin where the injury has occurred. If this occurs, you should get medical attention right away.
How long does it take for a finger to heal after a splint?
The specialist will be able to monitor the healing process of your finger. Your finger will be splinted for 3-6 weeks if the healing process goes well.
How to help a finger that hurts when sitting?
This will help reduce swelling and the pain that results. The doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to help control the pain of your injury. Take only as directed by your doctor.
Can you get your finger stuck in a basketball?
Finger dislocations are usually the result of an accident and accidents are not always preventable. When possible, however, you should avoid getting your finger stuck in objects such as athletic jerseys, basketball nets, and football helmets. Wear protective gloves when possible.
What happens if you dislocate your finger?
In instances of a finger dislocation, the digit will be deformed, swollen and painful.
Why is it important to rehab your finger?
Rehab is very important as permanent finger stiffness may occur if the joint is not exercised properly. In the early stages you will have a lot of difficulty bending your finger, but with time and persistence the finger usually regains the ability to bend.
What is the muscle that moves the fingers?
Muscles within the forearm or hand turn into tendons, which attaches the bones to the finger. It is the muscles that move the fingers by pulling the tendons back. All of the bones are attached to the five metacarpal bones making up the body in the hand.
How many bones are there in the thumb?
All of the fingers have three distinct bones in them, while the thumb only has two bones. At each one of the joints, the bones are held into place with ligaments. The main ligament occurring each side of the finger is the collateral ligament. This ligament is usually torn during the dislocation. Muscles within the forearm or hand turn into tendons, which attaches the bones to the finger. It is the muscles that move the fingers by pulling the tendons back. All of the bones are attached to the five metacarpal bones making up the body in the hand.
How long do you have to wear a splint after a dislocation?
Immobilization. After the bones are back where they should be, the doctor will immobilize the joint using a sling or splint for multiple weeks. Based upon the nature and the location of the dislocation, the amount of time you wear the splint is going to vary accordingly. Pain Medication.
What to do if you have a dislocated bone?
Surgery. If the nerves or the blood vessels are damaged or the dislocated bone cannot be moved back into its correct position, surgery might be the only option for you. For those who have dealt with recurrent dislocations, surgery might be needed to make sure the bones are back where they need to be. Rehabilitation.
Why does my finger dislocate?
Participating in sports is considered to be the most common reason why the finger dislocation occurs in the first place. High trauma sports such as rugby and American Football are common causes, as well as sports that involve catching high speed balls such as cricket.
