Dislocation of fingers

Dislocation means slipping of the joint from its normal position. A finger has three joints ; MCP joint, PIP joint and DIP joint.

Your doctor may ask for a plain X ray to confirm the diagnosis. Rarely CT may be required to obtain detailed information especially in fracture dislocations.

Most of such injuries are managed successfully without surgery. They often are reduced in the outpatient clinic under local anaesthesia and splinted.

They may be simple or complex. Simple dislocations are managed in the outpatient clinic by bringing the joint to its normal position after giving local anaesthetic . Complex dislocations are often irreducible. Trial of reduction with local anaesthetic is attempted in an outpatient clinic. If successfully reduced , the finger is immobilised using a splint. If the trial is not successful , surgery will be required to bring the joint back to its normal position.