Knee

What It Is

An interphalangeal joint sprain can occur if you sustain a hit or trauma to the hand, or you get your finger caught somehow during sport or a fall. Injuries to the finger joints usually happen when the finger is forced to bend backwards or sideways, past its normal limits (EKHUFT, 2026). A sprain happens when the collateral ligaments around the finger joint (the tough bands that hold the two bones of the joint together) are stretched or torn. If the ligament is torn, the joint may partly slip out of place (sublux) or fully dislocate. Sometimes a small piece of bone is pulled off along with the ligament (an avulsion fracture), or there is a larger break around the joint (EKHUFT, 2026).

You will be aware of a lot of pain around your finger, and soon afterwards it will swell and be very stiff. You will notice you are unable to properly bend your finger. 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).

Warning signs: call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital 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 (NHS, 2025). Do not try to put a dislocated finger back into place yourself.

Most finger joint injuries get better without significant problems, but healing takes time. It can take 4 to 6 weeks for the pain to start to settle, and the swelling can take up to 6 months to go down. As the injury heals, scar tissue can leave the joint larger than before, and it may not return to its normal size (EKHUFT, 2026).

These injuries often happen in sport, such as rugby and hockey, but they can also happen in a fall, a fight or a grapple.

Interphalangeal Joint Sprain Anatomy

The anatomy within the hand is complex with many joints, ligaments, bones and tendons. Its integrity is imperative for individuals to be able to go through life on a regular basis and engage in normal activities. Hands can be affected by any number of disorders, but often from a traumatic injury.

Within the hand, there are 27 bones. Eight bones are within the carpals of your wrist. The palm of the hand contains five bones known as the metacarpals. The 14 bones within the fingers are known as the phalanges.

The interphalangeal joints are the joints between the finger bones. The proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint is the middle joint along your finger (EKHUFT, 2026).

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

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat an Interphalangeal Joint Sprain

After a sprain the joint can become very stiff, so it is important to keep it gently moving with exercises that should not be painful, although they may feel slightly uncomfortable as your fingers stretch (EKHUFT, 2026). I can show you these exercises and use hands-on work to ease swelling and stiffness as it heals. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

1. Ice

Wrap an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) in a tea towel and apply it for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours to reduce swelling. Never put ice directly on the skin. Ice is not suitable if you have chilblains or Raynaud's (NHS, 2025).

2. Buddy Taping

Most of these injuries are treated by buddy taping the injured finger to the healthy finger next to it. This protects the joint while still letting the finger move a little. The taping is usually kept on for around 3 to 4 weeks, and you can change the tape every day and check your skin is OK (EKHUFT, 2026). I can show you how to do this yourself.

3. Dislocated Joints

A dislocated joint needs to be put back into position by a qualified medical professional, usually in an emergency room or urgent care setting. Never try to do this yourself. Your doctor will arrange any follow-up checks you need.

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

Options outside my scope

X-ray: an X-ray can show whether a bone has been broken as well as the ligament being damaged (EKHUFT, 2026).
Splint or cast: for more severe injuries, or if a bone is broken, a doctor or hand therapist may fit a splint or cast to protect the healing tissues (EKHUFT, 2026; NHS, 2025).
Straightening the finger: if a finger is dislocated or out of line, a doctor can put it back into position, usually after an injection of local anaesthetic to numb it (NHS, 2025).
Surgery: an operation may be needed for complicated breaks (NHS, 2025).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Showing you how to buddy tape your finger

Hands-on work to ease swelling and stiffness

Exercises to keep the joint moving and rebuild your grip

Tips

Use ice as soon as possible to reduce pain and swelling.
Keep your hand raised, for example resting on a cushion, to help reduce swelling (NHS, 2025).
Remove any rings from the injured hand straight away (NHS, 2025). Because the joint may stay larger, it is best not to have rings resized for at least a year after the injury (EKHUFT, 2026).
If you are prone to falling, try to avoid putting your hand out in front of you.
As your finger settles, keep gently bending and straightening it, as I advise, to improve its movement.

Treatment

My Approach

Finger sprains usually heal well, but the joint stiffens quickly, so my aim is to protect it while the ligament heals and keep it moving so it doesn't set stiff, then rebuild your grip for work, the gym and sport.

If it's a mild sprain, where the ligament is stretched or partly torn and the joint is stable, I can work with you directly. If it's a severe sprain, where the ligament is fully torn, the joint slipped out of place or feels unstable, or a piece of bone has been pulled off, see a doctor first. Once they've treated it and you can manage your normal daily tasks, I support your recovery within their plan; after surgery, or a break that stops your daily activities, I need your medical team's okay first.

I start by asking how it happened, then assess the swelling, how the finger moves and how stable it is. If anything suggests a break or a dislocation, I'll ask you to get it checked first. If you've had an X-ray, please bring the report to your first visit.

When It's New

Buddy taping the finger to its neighbour, and I'll show you how to tape it yourself
No work on the sore joint yet; I work the hand, forearm and shoulder above it
Gentle lymphatic drainage and keeping your hand raised
Cool applications in the clinic, and I'll show you how to use ice safely at home
Gentle, pain-free bending and straightening

As It Heals

Warm or contrast applications, then gentle hands-on work around the joint
Gentle cross-fibre work across the ligament once it's past the early stage
Gentle joint mobilisation for stiffness, never on a joint that is still unstable
Making a full fist and straightening fully, then grip and pinch strength with putty or a soft ball
A graded return to sport, with taping at first

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: For a mild sprain, most people come once or twice a week at first, then weekly, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks, then less often. Expect the pain to start settling over 4 to 6 weeks and the swelling to take up to 6 months to go down. For a severe sprain, visits start once your doctor is happy and follow their plan, and recovery usually takes longer.

What I Focus On

Buddy Taping

Swelling Control

Early Finger Movement

Ligament Care

Grip Strength

Sources

References

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) (2026) Finger PIP joint injuries. Available at: https://leaflets.ekhuft.nhs.uk/finger-pip-joint-injuries/html (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–WaterlooInterphalangeal Joint Sprain

What It Is

Interphalangeal Joint Sprain Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat an Interphalangeal Joint Sprain

1. Ice

2. Buddy Taping

3. Dislocated Joints

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

Tips

My Approach

When It's New

As It Heals

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooInterphalangeal Joint Sprain

What It Is

Interphalangeal Joint Sprain Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How to Treat an Interphalangeal Joint Sprain

1. Ice

2. Buddy Taping

3. Dislocated Joints

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

Tips

My Approach

When It's New

As It Heals

Typical Course

References

Related Conditions

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries

Chondromalacia Patella

Fat Pad Impingement

Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome

Book a session