Concept Women's sport. Hands hold the ball. One hand in tapes. Second hand with manicure
For individuals dealing with finger injuries, which can occur from various causes, including overuse, jobs, sports, and more, can knowing the cause of finger pain help healthcare providers determine what steps to take for treatment?
Table of Contents
Finger injuries are common and can range from minor to serious. (van Veenendaal L. M. et al., 2014) Symptoms can result from an acute injury, including broken fingers and sprains, or chronic conditions like arthritis.
Finger fractures can vary and can be serious and lead to permanent damage, deformity, and loss of function if not treated properly. What is important is that fractures are appropriately diagnosed so the proper treatment plan can be initiated. Most finger fractures can be addressed with simple treatments, while others may require surgery. (Oetgen M. E., and Dodds S. D. 2008)
Sprains and dislocations are common finger injuries. (Prucz R. B. and Friedrich J. B. 2015) Both damage the ligaments that support the finger joints. In more severe injuries, a dislocation can occur, necessitating the finger to be put back into place or reduced. Individuals with a sprain or dislocation often notice finger swelling or stiffness for months after the injury.
Some call this injury skier’s or gamekeeper’s thumb, which results from a specific type of thumb dislocation. Here, the ulnar collateral ligament of the thumb is damaged. This ligament helps keep the thumb stable and supports grip and hand strength. However, this type of ligament injury often requires surgery. (Christensen T. et al., 2016)
Arthritis causes damage to normal joint surfaces where two bones come together. Fingers are one of the most common locations where arthritis occurs. (Spies C. K. et al., 2018) Two types of arthritis commonly affect the fingers: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis of the thumb usually occurs at the joint where the thumb meets the wrist. This joint called the carpometacarpal/CMC joint, helps with gripping and pinching. Thumb arthritis is more common in women than men and increases in frequency over 40. (Deveza L. A. et al., 2017)
Trigger finger or stenosing tenosynovitis, is a common injury that causes pain and snapping of the fingers’ tendons, resulting in a sensation of locking or catching when bending and straightening the digits. (Makkouk A. H. et al., 2008) Other symptoms include pain and stiffness in the fingers and thumb. Treatments can vary from observation, rest, splinting, injections, and surgery.
A mallet finger is an injury to the tip of the finger. Usually, it occurs when the end of a straightened finger or thumb is hit, jamming the finger. After the injury, the individual may notice that they cannot fully straighten the tip of the finger. Treatment almost always uses a splint that has to stay on for about six weeks without removal. (Alla, S. R., Deal, N. D., and Dempsey, I. J. 2014) Very rarely is a surgical procedure necessary.
This is an injury to the finger flexor tendon. The flexor tendon pulls the finger into the palm when contracting the forearm flexor muscles. The injury occurs at the tip of the finger; typically, the tendon snaps back to the finger’s base or into the palm.
Injuries to the finger while wearing wedding bands or other finger jewelry can lead to serious complications. Even minor injuries can have devastating complications if the severity of the injury is not recognized and addressed. If an injury occurs while wearing the jewelry and there is soft tissue damage, including blood circulation being cut off, immediate medical attention is necessary.
The most common finger injury is caused by direct trauma to the skin and muscles. Symptoms include pain, swelling, tenderness, and discoloration of the skin.
These can range from minor to more serious, such as injuries that cut through blood vessels, nerves, and tendons.
After the initial inflammation and swelling have subsided, a doctor will recommend a treatment plan that usually involves physical therapy, self-performed physical rehabilitation, or supervision by a physical therapist or team. At Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic, our areas of practice include Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Wellness & Nutrition, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain and restore function. If other treatment is needed, individuals will be referred to a clinic or physician best suited to their injury, condition, and/or ailment.
van Veenendaal, L. M., de Klerk, G., & van der Velde, D. (2014). A painful finger as first sign of a malignancy. Geriatric orthopaedic surgery & rehabilitation, 5(1), 18–20. doi.org/10.1177/2151458514522125
Oetgen, M. E., & Dodds, S. D. (2008). Non-operative treatment of common finger injuries. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine, 1(2), 97–102. doi.org/10.1007/s12178-007-9014-z
Prucz, R. B., & Friedrich, J. B. (2015). Finger joint injuries. Clinics in sports medicine, 34(1), 99–116. doi.org/10.1016/j.csm.2014.09.002
Christensen, T., Sarfani, S., Shin, A. Y., & Kakar, S. (2016). Long-Term Outcomes of Primary Repair of Chronic Thumb Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries. Hand (New York, N.Y.), 11(3), 303–309. doi.org/10.1177/1558944716628482
Spies, C. K., Langer, M., Hahn, P., Müller, L. P., & Unglaub, F. (2018). The Treatment of Primary Arthritis of the Finger and Thumb Joint. Deutsches Arzteblatt international, 115(16), 269–275. doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.2018.0269
Deveza, L. A., Hunter, D. J., Wajon, A., Bennell, K. L., Vicenzino, B., Hodges, P., Eyles, J. P., Jongs, R., Riordan, E. A., Duong, V., Min Oo, W., O’Connell, R., & Meneses, S. R. (2017). Efficacy of combined conservative therapies on clinical outcomes in patients with thumb base osteoarthritis: protocol for a randomised, controlled trial (COMBO). BMJ open, 7(1), e014498. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014498
Makkouk, A. H., Oetgen, M. E., Swigart, C. R., & Dodds, S. D. (2008). Trigger finger: etiology, evaluation, and treatment. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine, 1(2), 92–96. doi.org/10.1007/s12178-007-9012-1
Alla, S. R., Deal, N. D., & Dempsey, I. J. (2014). Current concepts: mallet finger. Hand (New York, N.Y.), 9(2), 138–144. doi.org/10.1007/s11552-014-9609-y
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Dealing with Finger Injuries: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
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We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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