Many of us have experienced the dreaded jarred finger at some point in our lives. Whether it’s during a sports game when a ball hits our finger or just in everyday activities, these injuries are often just shaken off. But what actually happens when we jar our finger, and can it be more serious than we realize? This blog aims to clarify and teach you a few things about the dreaded jarred finger.
Mechanism of Injury
A volar plate injury typically occurs due to hyperextension or extreme bending backward of the joint in your finger called the PIP (proximal interphalangeal joint). This joint is the middle joint of your finger, and hyperextension happens when it bends back beyond its normal range of motion. Such injuries are common in sports like basketball, volleyball, and football, but they can also occur during everyday activities like catching a heavy object or even tripping and falling.
Structures Involved
The primary structure involved in a jarred finger injury is the volar plate. The volar plate is a strong ligament located on the palm side of the PIP joint. Its main function is to prevent hyperextension of the joint, thereby protecting it from bending backward too far. When this ligament is overstretched or torn, it can cause significant pain and instability in the finger.
In some cases, the force of the injury can cause an avulsion fracture, where the ligament pulls a small piece of bone away from its attachment point. This is more severe and requires careful management. In the worst-case scenario, the PIP joint can dislocate, meaning the bones are forced out of their normal alignment, causing the finger to look deformed and necessitating immediate medical attention.
Typical Symptoms
Severe Pain: Often immediate and intense, making it difficult to move the finger.
Bruising: Usually appears on the palm side of the finger where the volar plate is located. The bruising may spread to the surrounding areas over time.
Swelling: The finger may swell quickly, sometimes making it difficult to see the natural contours of the finger.
Difficulty Bending and Straightening the Finger: The finger might feel stiff, and any attempt to move it can be painful.
Initially: Rest the finger to prevent further injury. Apply ice to reduce swelling and assist with pain management. Use compression bandages like Coban to provide support and minimise swelling. Elevate the hand above heart level to help drainage of excess fluid if necessary.
X-ray: It’s crucial to get an X-ray to rule out fractures or dislocations. Even if the finger appears to be only mildly injured, an X-ray can reveal underlying issues that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
Seek a Hand Therapist: A hand therapist will assess the extent of the injury and recommend a treatment plan. This could involve:
Taping or Splinting: To immobilize the finger, allowing the volar plate and any fractures to heal properly.
Structured Exercise Program: Once initial healing has occurred, specific exercises will help restore full function, strength, and flexibility to the finger.
Neglecting proper treatment can lead to long-term issues such as chronic pain, stiffness, or even permanent joint deformity.
We hope this blog has helped clarify what a jarred finger is and highlighted the potential for this injury to be more serious than one first thought. If you have recently experienced a jarred finger or would like more information on hand therapy,
please follow the prompts on our website for more information.
