Elbow, Wrist & Hand

What It Is

The proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint is the middle joint of the finger. A PIP joint dislocation happens when an injury forces the bones of this joint out of position, usually by bending the finger backwards or sideways past its normal limits (East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, 2026). It is the most commonly dislocated joint in the body (Leggit and Meko, 2006a). This often results in a painful, bruised and swollen joint that doesn't move properly, if it moves at all.

Sprains occur when the ligaments are stretched or torn, and can happen without the joint being dislocated. Sometimes a small piece of bone is pulled off along with the ligament; this is called an avulsion fracture (East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, 2026). 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).

Suspected dislocations and sprains need to be checked and treated as quickly as possible. Until then, try not to move the finger, lift your hand up to reduce swelling, and remove any rings from that hand (NHS, 2025). Once the injury has been assessed and treated, gentle movement becomes important (see Therapy below).

Finger Proximal Interphalangeal Joint 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. Most PIP dislocations happen when the finger is bent backwards, and this mainly injures the volar plate, often with some damage to the collateral ligaments as well (Leggit and Meko, 2006a; 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.

Many finger dislocations happen through blunt trauma in sport. Often, catching a ball at an awkward angle is enough, and rugby and American football injuries can also dislocate the finger.

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a Finger Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Dislocation

1. Putting the Joint Back

Small dislocations sometimes go straight back into place as soon as they come out. A dislocation that doesn't go back straight away should be put back into position by a doctor or nurse in an emergency room or urgent care clinic. Do not try to do this yourself. You will usually have an X-ray afterwards to check the joint and look for any broken bone (Leggit and Meko, 2006a).

2. Buddy Taping or Splinting

Most PIP joint injuries are treated by taping the injured finger to the finger next to it (buddy taping) or with a small splint. This protects the joint while still allowing the finger to move a little, and is usually kept on for around 3 to 4 weeks (East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, 2026). After a dislocation, the doctor may first use a splint that holds the joint slightly bent, followed by buddy taping (Leggit and Meko, 2006a). I can show you how to splint or buddy tape the finger yourself, and in some cases I'll send you to a doctor or physiotherapist to have it fitted. Whoever fits it will tell you how long to use it.

3. Ice

Apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen vegetables) wrapped in a tea towel for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours to help ease pain and swelling (NHS, 2024). It is not uncommon for the swelling to take up to 6 months to settle, and scar tissue can leave the joint larger than before (East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, 2026).

4. Pain Relief

For sprains, the NHS (2024) suggests trying painkillers such as paracetamol to ease the pain, and ibuprofen gel, mousse or spray to bring down swelling; if needed, ibuprofen can also be taken by mouth. A pharmacist can advise on the best treatment for you (NHS, 2024). (This medicine information comes from the NHS, not from me. Always check with a pharmacist or your family doctor or nurse practitioner before taking any medicine.)

5. Therapy

Exercises for your finger are very important to stop permanent stiffness. Always exercise gently and slowly; the exercises should not be painful, although they may feel slightly uncomfortable (East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, 2026). I can show you which exercises to do and help with stiffness and swelling once the joint has been checked. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

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

Options outside my scope

Specialist review and surgery: an assessment by an orthopaedic or hand surgeon, and sometimes surgery, may be needed if the joint cannot be put back, is unstable, or has a large piece of broken bone (Leggit and Meko, 2006a; Leggit and Meko, 2006b).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Gentle exercises to prevent stiffness
Help with swelling and stiff tissue around the joint
Buddy taping, and grip strength for getting back to sport or work

Tips

When playing contact sports, be careful to protect your fingers.
The most common cause of a joint dislocation is an injury to the hand or direct trauma.
If you suspect a dislocation, apply ice wrapped in a tea towel straight away to help reduce swelling, and get the finger checked (NHS, 2024; NHS, 2025).
It can take 4 to 6 weeks for the pain to settle, and after a few months most people can use their finger normally again. More severe injuries can leave some permanent stiffness, although any lost movement tends to be minor (East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, 2026).
Because the joint may stay larger, it is recommended not to have rings resized for at least a year after the injury (East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, 2026).
Children's finger injuries should be checked by a doctor, because the growth plate (the growing part of the bone) is often involved (Leggit and Meko, 2006b).

Treatment

My Approach

A dislocated finger joint has to be put back and checked by a doctor or nurse first. Never try to put it back yourself. I come in once that's done, working within your medical team's advice on taping, splinting and how much you can move the finger. If you had surgery, or a fracture that needed surgery, I need your surgeon's okay before hands-on treatment. Please bring any X-ray reports or notes from the clinic that treated you.

I assess how your finger and hand move, how swollen the joint is and your grip strength, then plan around where you are in healing.

Early On

Work on the forearm, hand and shoulder, leaving the sore joint alone
Gentle lymphatic drainage for swelling, and keeping the hand raised
Showing you how to splint or buddy tape the finger yourself (or sending you to a doctor or physiotherapist to have it fitted), and how to use ice safely at home
Gentle, pain-free finger movement, as your doctor allows

As It Heals

Warm or cool applications in the clinic, and contrast bathing taught for home
Gentle work around the joint, and cross-fibre work on the healed ligaments without overstretching them
Gentle joint mobilisation for a stiff joint, never on an unstable one and never in the direction it came out
Grip, pinch and finger control exercises, building to strength work, with a home programme

Back to Sport or Work

Taping for sport, and I'll show you how to do it yourself

A gradual return to catching, gripping and lifting

If the finger looks out of place again, turns blue or goes numb, get emergency help (see When to get emergency help).

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Early on, most people come once or twice a week for shorter visits, then weekly, spacing out as you manage more on your own, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks. Pain usually settles over 4 to 6 weeks and most people can use the finger normally again after a few months, though swelling can take up to 6 months to settle, in line with your medical team's plan.

What I Focus On

Working Within Your Team's Advice

Swelling Control

Buddy Taping

Joint Mobility

Grip Strength

Please read

When to See a Doctor First

When to get emergency help

If, after an injury, your finger is pointing at an odd angle, looks blue or feels numb, or is cut and you can see bone, call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital (NHS, 2025). Do not drive yourself.

Sources

References

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).
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).
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).
NHS (2024) Sprains and strains. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-and-strains/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
NHS (2025) Broken finger or thumb. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/broken-finger/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooFinger Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) Joint Dislocation

What It Is

Finger Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Dislocation Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a Finger Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Dislocation

1. Putting the Joint Back

2. Buddy Taping or Splinting

3. Ice

4. Pain Relief

5. Therapy

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

Tips

My Approach

Early On

As It Heals

Back to Sport or Work

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to get emergency help

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooFinger Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) Joint Dislocation

What It Is

Finger Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Dislocation Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat a Finger Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Dislocation

1. Putting the Joint Back

2. Buddy Taping or Splinting

3. Ice

4. Pain Relief

5. Therapy

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

Tips

My Approach

Early On

As It Heals

Back to Sport or Work

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to get emergency help

References

Related Conditions

Finger Dislocation

Bennett's Fracture

Boutonniere Deformity of the Finger

Carpal Bone Fracture

Book a session