Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooFinger Dislocation

A finger dislocation is when the bones of a finger joint are pushed out of their normal position. It happens when an injury tears or stretches the ligaments that hold the joint together, usually when the finger is forced backwards or sideways past its normal limits (East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, 2026). The finger will be deformed, swollen and painful. The middle joint of the finger (the PIP joint) is the most commonly dislocated joint in the body (Leggit and Meko, 2006a). Sport is a common cause: high-impact sports such as rugby and American football, as well as sports that involve catching fast balls, such as cricket.

It can be hard to tell whether a finger is broken, dislocated or badly sprained, so you will probably need an X-ray (NHS, 2025).

Finger Dislocation Anatomy

All of the fingers have three bones in them, while the thumb only has two bones. At each joint, the bones are held together by ligaments, which are tough bands of connecting tissue (East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, 2026). There is a collateral ligament on each side of the joint, and a thick ligament on the palm side called the volar plate. In the most common type of dislocation, where the finger is bent backwards, the volar plate is injured and the collateral ligaments are often damaged too. Injuries that force the finger sideways tear the collateral ligaments (Leggit and Meko, 2006b). The muscles that move the fingers are in the forearm and hand. They turn into tendons, which attach the muscles to the finger bones, and the muscles move the fingers by pulling on the tendons. The finger bones join the five metacarpal bones that make up the palm of the hand.

How to Treat Finger Dislocation

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor or nurse practitioner

Tips

• It can take 4 to 6 weeks for the pain to start to settle. After a few months most people can use their finger normally again (East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, 2026).
• The swelling can take up to 6 months to settle. Scar tissue can leave the joint larger than before, so rings may no longer fit; it is recommended not to have rings resized for at least a year (East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, 2026).
• More severe injuries can leave some permanent stiffness and pain, although any lost joint movement tends to be minor (East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, 2026).
• Even if your finger has dislocated before, do not try to put it back yourself. Have it checked and X-rayed, as there may also be a broken bone.
• If the finger feels numb or looks blue, get help straight away, as nerves or blood vessels may be damaged.

After a finger dislocation, the joint needs protecting while the ligaments heal, but a finger kept still for too long can become very stiff. Your doctor puts the joint back in place and decides how long it stays splinted or buddy taped. I come in after that and work inside your team's limits. If you had surgery, or a broken bone that stops your normal daily activities, I need your team's okay before any hands-on treatment.

While It's Protected

• Easing the forearm, shoulder and neck, which often tense up when you're guarding a hand
• Keeping the joints that aren't involved moving, and the hand raised to help swelling
• Gentle lymphatic drainage above the injury for swelling
• Showing you how to splint or buddy tape the finger, or sending you to a doctor or physiotherapist to have it fitted where needed

Once You're Allowed to Move It

1. East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (2026) Finger PIP joint injuries. Available at: https://leaflets.ekhuft.nhs.uk/finger-pip-joint-injuries/html (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
2. Leggit, J.C. and Meko, C.J. (2006a) 'Acute finger injuries: part II. Fractures, dislocations, and thumb injuries', American Family Physician, 73(5), pp. 827–834. Available at: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2006/0301/p827.html (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
3. Leggit, J.C. and Meko, C.J. (2006b) 'Acute finger injuries: part I. Tendons and ligaments', American Family Physician, 73(5), pp. 810–816. Available at: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2006/0301/p810.html (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
4. NHS (2025) Broken finger or thumb. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-finger/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).