Finger DislocationMedical Author:
Kevin P Collins, MD
Coauthor:
Robert McCormack, MD
Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRDr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Finger Dislocation OverviewFinger dislocation is a common injury. It occurs when the bones of the finger are moved (dislocated) from their normal anatomic position. Finger dislocation can occur in any of the joints of any finger, but it occurs most often in the middle knuckle of the little, ring, middle, or index finger. Finger Dislocation CausesAccidents can cause a "jamming" force to be applied to the end of the finger, or the finger may be forcefully overextended. Either of these situations, or a combination of both, can result in a dislocation.
Viewer Comments & ReviewsFinger Dislocation - TreatmentThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What was the treatment of your finger dislocation? |
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Finger Dislocation
Hand Injury Overview
Intricate in design and function, the hand is an amazing work of anatomy. Form follows function in the hand; therefore, any injury to the underlying structures of the hand carries the potential for serious handicap. To reduce this risk, even the smallest hand injuries require a good medical evaluation.
The goal with injuries to the hand is a rapid and accurate initial evaluation. In other words, once an injury occurs, the doctor strives to begin medical treatment quickly so the short- and long-term effects can be minimized.
The hand consists of 27 bones when the 8 bones of the wrist are included. When the other associated structures (nerves, arteries, veins, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joint cartilage) are considered, the potential for a variety of injuries exists when trauma involves the hand.
Hand injuries account for nearly 10% of hospital Emergency Department visits. A recent series of 1,000 consecutive hand injuries showed the ...
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Joint Reduction, Finger Dislocation »
Dislocation of a joint occurs when traumatic forces cause complete loss of continuity between the joint’s 2 articulating surfaces.
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