Hand and finger dislocations

Background

Distal interphalangeal dislocation (DIP), proximal interphalangeal dislocation (PIP), and metacarpophalangeal dislocation (MCP) joints of the finger shown.

Volar/anterior finger anatomy.

Lateral finger anatomy.

Hand Anatomy

• Volar = anterior = palmar
• Dorsal = posterior

Types

Hand and finger dislocations

• Finger dislocations
  • Distal interphalangeal dislocation (finger) (DIP)
  • Proximal interphalangeal dislocation (finger) (PIP)
  • Metacarpophalangeal dislocation (finger) (MCP)
• Thumb dislocations
  • Interphalangeal dislocation (thumb) (IP)
  • Metacarpophalangeal dislocation (thumb) (MCP)
• Hand dislocations
  • Carpometacarpal dislocation

Clinical Features

Right fifth phalanx dislocation.

• See individual injury types for specific clinical features
• In general, there is some history of traumatic injury with pain at the dislocated joint

Differential Diagnosis

Hand and finger injuries

• Distal finger
  • Finger amputation
  • Fingertip laceration
  • Nail avulsion
  • Nailbed laceration
  • Subungual hematoma
• Other finger/thumb
  • Boutonniere deformity
  • Mallet finger
    • Swan neck deformity
  • Jammed finger
  • Jersey finger
  • Trigger finger
  • Ring avulsion injury
  • De Quervain tenosynovitis
  • Infiltrative tenosynovitis
  • Metacarpophalangeal ulnar ligament rupture (Gamekeeper's thumb)
• Hand
  • Dupuytren contracture
• Wrist
  • Drummer's wrist
  • Ganglion cyst
  • Lunotriquetral ligament instability
  • Scaphoid fracture
  • Extensor digitorum tenosynovitis
  • Compressive neuropathy ("bracelet syndrome")
  • Intersection syndrome
  • Snapping Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
  • Vaughn Jackson syndrome
• General
  • Hand and finger dislocations
  • Hand and finger fractures
  • Hand and finger infections
  • Gout and pseudogout
  • Hand and finger tendon injuries
  • High-pressure injection injury
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Ring removal

Evaluation

Diagnosis

• 

  MCP dislocation of thumb

• 

  PIP dislocation of right fifth phalanx

Management

• See individual injury type for specific management
• In general, dislocations should be emergently reduced and then splinted

Disposition

• See individual injury type for specific disposition
• In general, dislocations should all have orthopedic outpatient follow up after successful reduction

See Also

• Hand and Finger Diagnoses (Main)