Elbow, Wrist & Hand

What It Is

Hand injuries are quite common in sport, especially in ball games and contact sports. Most of these injuries are closed injuries, where the skin is not broken. Finger injuries can cause long-term pain and problems if they are not recognised and treated early (Pidgeon, n.d.a; Pidgeon, n.d.b).

Broken finger bones are quite common. Even though they are often seen as minor injuries, a finger fracture that is not treated properly can end up misaligned, stiff or painful (Pidgeon, n.d.a), which can affect everyday activities. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment early is the most important part of hand care. It can be hard to tell whether a finger is broken, dislocated or badly sprained without an X-ray (NHS, 2025).

Finger sprains can take weeks to months to get better, and a sprain of the middle joint of the finger can take up to a year or longer to settle fully (Pidgeon, n.d.b). Patients often report that the injury takes longer than expected to heal. Finger ligaments can easily be sprained by an impact or a fall. A strong force that bends the finger backwards or sideways can tear the collateral ligament and dislocate the finger (Pidgeon, n.d.b).

Phalangeal Injury (Hand) Anatomy

The anatomy of the hand is complex and intricate, and it matters for nearly everything we do. Multiple small joints work together to allow movement in the hand. This gives you the fine movement needed for threading a needle or tying a shoelace. The hand is made up of 27 bones: eight make up the wrist, five make up the palm of the hand and 14 make up the fingers and thumb (the phalanges) (Pidgeon, n.d.a).

On each side of every finger joint is a collateral ligament that supports the joint. If this ligament is sprained or torn, the finger joint may dislocate (Pidgeon, n.d.b).

While you're waiting to see a doctor

The NHS (2025) suggests you

try not to move your finger or thumb – it may help to tape it to the finger next to it
lift your hand up to reduce swelling
apply an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a tea towel for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours to reduce swelling – this is not suitable if you have chilblains or Raynaud's
cover any cut with a clean dressing
remove any rings from the affected hand

How a Phalangeal Injury (Hand) is Treated:

1. Medical Treatment

A doctor will check the finger, usually with an X-ray, and decide on the right treatment (NHS, 2025; Pidgeon, n.d.a). Most finger fractures and dislocations are treated without surgery. Your doctor will tell you how long any splint or strapping needs to stay on, and you may have more X-rays to check the finger is healing properly (Pidgeon, n.d.a). A broken finger usually heals within 6 to 8 weeks, but it may be 3 to 4 months before full strength returns to the hand (NHS, 2025).

2. Therapy

Movement exercises are important early on, as the finger is often unable to fully straighten or bend after a fracture, sprain or dislocation (Pidgeon, n.d.a; Pidgeon, n.d.b), and gently doing the right finger exercises every day, once your doctor says it is OK to move the finger, will help to improve movement and reduce stiffness and swelling (Pidgeon, n.d.a). I can guide you through these exercises, with hands-on work for the hand and forearm. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

After a splint, strapping or surgery, you may also need to see a specialist hand therapist.

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

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

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

Options outside my scope

Realignment: if a bone or joint is out of place, a doctor may move it back into position, usually after numbing it with a local anaesthetic injection (NHS, 2025).
Splint, cast or buddy strapping: a clinician may fit a splint or cast, or strap the injured finger to the one next to it, to keep it in position while it heals (NHS, 2025; Pidgeon, n.d.a).
Surgery: some fractures need an operation, using pins, wires, screws or plates to hold the bones in place while they heal (Pidgeon, n.d.a).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Finger and hand exercises, once your doctor says you can move the finger
Hands-on work for the hand, forearm and any healed scar
Showing you how to buddy tape or splint the finger yourself
Grip strength and a safe return to work and sport

Tips

Slamming your finger in a door is one of the common ways of breaking a finger (Pidgeon, n.d.a).
Putting your hand out to break a fall is another common way to injure your fingers (Pidgeon, n.d.a; Pidgeon, n.d.b).
If you are trying to catch a ball, take care not to jam your finger (Pidgeon, n.d.a).
Doing your rehabilitation exercises regularly will help to reduce swelling and stiffness in the fingers (Pidgeon, n.d.a).
Don't ignore a "sprained" finger: some fractures and dislocations are mistaken for sprains and need prompt treatment (Pidgeon, n.d.b).

Treatment

My Approach

Finger injuries often take longer to settle than people expect. My aim is to protect what's healing, keep the rest of your hand and arm moving, then restore movement and grip. If you think a finger or thumb is broken or dislocated, see a doctor first (see When to get urgent help). A sprained finger I can usually treat directly.

Please bring any X-ray or scan reports and notes from your medical team to your first visit. They're an important part of planning safe treatment for you.

I start by assessing how each finger joint moves, your grip, and the wrist, forearm and shoulder above. If you had surgery, or the injury stops your normal daily activities, I need your doctor's okay before hands-on treatment, and I work within their limits.

Early On

No work on the injured joint at first; I ease the forearm and shoulder, which often tense up to protect the hand
Gentle lymphatic drainage with your hand raised, and I'll show you how to use ice safely at home
Showing you how to buddy tape or splint the finger yourself, or pointing you to a doctor or physiotherapist to have a splint fitted

As It Heals

Warm applications and hands-on work for the finger, hand and forearm, with scar work once any wound has healed
Exercises to bend and straighten the finger and make a full fist, once your doctor says it's okay
Cross-fibre work across a sprained ligament, and gentle joint mobilisation once a fracture has healed, but never on a joint that is still unstable
Grip strength with putty or a soft ball, building to what your work, gym or sport needs, with taping for protection that I'll show you how to do yourself

If your finger goes numb, pale or cold, or a splint feels too tight, get medical help straight away.

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: Early on, visits are usually short and once or twice a week, then weekly, then spaced out with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks. A broken finger usually heals in 6 to 8 weeks, with full strength often taking 3 to 4 months, while finger sprains take weeks to months, and a sprained middle joint up to a year or longer.

What I Focus On

Assessment

Swelling Control

Finger Mobility

Grip Strength

Safe Return to Sport

Please read

When to See a Doctor First

When to get urgent help

Get medical advice as soon as possible if you think you have broken or dislocated a finger or thumb (NHS, 2025). Do not try to put a dislocated or bent finger back into place yourself. Call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital if, after an injury, your finger or thumb (NHS, 2025):

is pointing at an odd angle
is cut and you can see bone through it
is cut and there's bone poking out of it

Sources

References

Pidgeon, T.S. (n.d.a) Finger fractures. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons OrthoInfo. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/finger-fractures/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
Pidgeon, T.S. (n.d.b) Finger sprains. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons OrthoInfo. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprained-finger (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–WaterlooPhalangeal Injury (Hand)

What It Is

Phalangeal Injury (Hand) Anatomy

While you're waiting to see a doctor

1. Medical Treatment

2. Therapy

Self-Care & Treatment

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

Tips

My Approach

Early On

As It Heals

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to get urgent help

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooPhalangeal Injury (Hand)

What It Is

Phalangeal Injury (Hand) Anatomy

While you're waiting to see a doctor

1. Medical Treatment

2. Therapy

Self-Care & Treatment

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

Tips

My Approach

Early On

As It Heals

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

When to get urgent help

References

Related Conditions

Bowler's Thumb

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Cyclist's Palsy

Book a session