Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentHealing TimeDislocated Finger TreatmentWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFAQ
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Healing Time
Dislocated Finger Treatment
When to See a Healthcare Provider
FAQ
Finger sprains and dislocations arecommon hand injuries. A sprain happens when the tough tissue that supports a joint is stretched too far. This tissue, called a ligament, can be partially or completely torn. The joint may also be dislocated.
Sprains and dislocations can cause pain and swelling. Theinjuries commonly happenduring sports, at work, or in car accidents. Some of the treatment steps are similar for both types of injuries.
Anatomy of Your Finger Joints
What Are the Symptoms of a Sprained Finger?
Finger sprains are classified in degrees, from mild to severe.
First-Degree Sprain
A first-degree sprain is considered mild with ligaments getting stretched but not torn. Symptoms may include:
Second-Degree Sprain
A second-degree sprain results in more damage to the ligament, such as a partial tear. Symptoms may include:
Third-Degree Sprain
A third-degree sprain is the most severe sprain resulting in the ligament tearing completely, causing symptoms such as:
What Are the Causes of a Sprained Finger?
Sprains can occur any time your finger bends in an unusual way. This can happen if you fall on your hand or get hurt while you’re playing a sport, for example.
Sprains can be in any of theknuckle jointsin your finger. However, the joint in the middle of your finger—called theproximal interphalangealor PIP joint—is the most commonly sprained.
How Is a Sprained Finger Diagnosed?
If you injure your finger, you might need to have an X-ray to see if any of the bones in your hand are broken (fractured).If you’ve broken a bone in your finger, you’ll need a different treatment than if you’ve sprained your finger.
How Is a Sprained Finger Treated?
There are many ways to treat a sprained finger, such as theRICE method, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Other treatments may include:
The Best Finger Braces of 2022
How Long Does a Sprained Finger Take to Heal?
If you have not broken any bones or dislocated the joint and you have a mild sprain, your symptoms will probably resolve in 1 to 2 weeks. Your healthcare provider will let you know when you can start using your finger normally.
Some sprains might need to be splinted or taped for longer—especially if the ligament might be torn.
A severe sprain typically requires splinting and can take several weeks or even months to recover fully. Some sprains require finger exercises, physical therapy, or occupational therapy to regain the full functioning of the injured finger.
If you sprain your finger and your symptoms are not improving within a couple of weeks, follow-up with your healthcare provider for a re-evaluation. Further testing or treatment may be needed.
An injury called “gamekeeper’s thumb” is a sprain of one of the ligaments at the joint where the thumb meets the hand. It occurs with forceful or repetitive thumb movements or a fall on an outstretched hand. Activities prone to this injury include skiing, rock climbing, and soccer.The term “gamekeeper’s thumb” first originated from Scottish gamekeepers. The repetitive use of their hands frequently caused this injury.Hurting the ligament at this joint multiple times can make it harder to use your finger to make a “pinching” movement. This injury usually needs to be treated with a cast or splint for 4 to 6 weeks. It might even need surgery to fix.
An injury called “gamekeeper’s thumb” is a sprain of one of the ligaments at the joint where the thumb meets the hand. It occurs with forceful or repetitive thumb movements or a fall on an outstretched hand. Activities prone to this injury include skiing, rock climbing, and soccer.
The term “gamekeeper’s thumb” first originated from Scottish gamekeepers. The repetitive use of their hands frequently caused this injury.
Hurting the ligament at this joint multiple times can make it harder to use your finger to make a “pinching” movement. This injury usually needs to be treated with a cast or splint for 4 to 6 weeks. It might even need surgery to fix.
How to Treat a Dislocated Finger
Sometimes it’s easy to reduce, or reposition, a finger back into place. Other times, the dislocation is harder to fix. A person might need to be put under anesthesia or even need surgery to get the joint back into place. In these cases, there might be tendons or other tissues preventing the joint from getting into position.
Putting your finger back into the right position is called “reducing” it. Once it’s been reduced, your finger needs to be splinted for about three weeks. You’ll also need to have an X-ray to make sure the joint is lined up correctly and that you didn’t break any bones.
After these steps are complete, caring for a dislocated finger is basically the same as it is for a sprained finger. For example, ice your finger and keep your hand elevated to help with swelling. Check with your healthcare provider to find out when you can start moving your finger again.
When a joint is dislocated, the ligaments and the joint capsule may get torn. Usually, a splint is enough to help the tissue heal. However, sometimes ligaments do not heal properly. If this happens, you might need to have surgery.
Finger Joint Replacement Surgery
Many finger sprains can be treated safely at home. However, you should seek medical care in the following cases:
What Is “Jersey Finger”?
Summary
Finger sprains and dislocations are common hand injuries. A sprain happens when the finger is stretched in a way that stresses the ligaments. A dislocation happens when the two bones that make a joint in the finger move out of position. Both injuries can cause pain and stiffness in the finger.
Sprains and dislocations are often easy to treat. However, to find out how badly you’ve hurt your finger, you’ll need to see a healthcare provider. They can also get your finger splinted or taped up to help keep it from moving while it heals.
Frequently Asked QuestionsAn X-ray is the only way to know if your finger is broken or sprained. Symptoms of both a sprained and broken finger include pain, swelling, and tenderness to the touch.You might be able to move a sprained finger, but not without pain. Sprains affect the ligaments around a joint, causing swelling and pain.It depends on the extent of the sprain. A mild sprain may heal on its own in a few weeks. A severe sprain typically requires medical attention and splinting. Even then, a bad sprain can take several weeks or even months to recover fully. Some sprains require physical therapy before the finger is fully functioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
An X-ray is the only way to know if your finger is broken or sprained. Symptoms of both a sprained and broken finger include pain, swelling, and tenderness to the touch.
You might be able to move a sprained finger, but not without pain. Sprains affect the ligaments around a joint, causing swelling and pain.
It depends on the extent of the sprain. A mild sprain may heal on its own in a few weeks. A severe sprain typically requires medical attention and splinting. Even then, a bad sprain can take several weeks or even months to recover fully. Some sprains require physical therapy before the finger is fully functioning.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.NYU Langone Health.Diagnosing hand sprains & strains.Elfar J, Mann T.Fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2013;21(2):88-98. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-21-02-88OrthoInfo from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Hand fractures.Harvard Health Publishing.Finger dislocation.Tufts Medical Center.Finger sprain exercises.Physiopedia.Gamekeeper’s thumb.Hung CY, Varacallo M, Chang KV.Gamekeepers thumb (skiers, ulnar collateral ligament tear). StatPearls.Merck Manual.Finger dislocations.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.NYU Langone Health.Diagnosing hand sprains & strains.Elfar J, Mann T.Fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2013;21(2):88-98. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-21-02-88OrthoInfo from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Hand fractures.Harvard Health Publishing.Finger dislocation.Tufts Medical Center.Finger sprain exercises.Physiopedia.Gamekeeper’s thumb.Hung CY, Varacallo M, Chang KV.Gamekeepers thumb (skiers, ulnar collateral ligament tear). StatPearls.Merck Manual.Finger dislocations.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
NYU Langone Health.Diagnosing hand sprains & strains.Elfar J, Mann T.Fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2013;21(2):88-98. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-21-02-88OrthoInfo from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Hand fractures.Harvard Health Publishing.Finger dislocation.Tufts Medical Center.Finger sprain exercises.Physiopedia.Gamekeeper’s thumb.Hung CY, Varacallo M, Chang KV.Gamekeepers thumb (skiers, ulnar collateral ligament tear). StatPearls.Merck Manual.Finger dislocations.
NYU Langone Health.Diagnosing hand sprains & strains.
Elfar J, Mann T.Fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2013;21(2):88-98. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-21-02-88
OrthoInfo from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Hand fractures.
Harvard Health Publishing.Finger dislocation.
Tufts Medical Center.Finger sprain exercises.
Physiopedia.Gamekeeper’s thumb.
Hung CY, Varacallo M, Chang KV.Gamekeepers thumb (skiers, ulnar collateral ligament tear). StatPearls.
Merck Manual.Finger dislocations.
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