We recommend that adults and children over 12 wear face masks when attending our clinic, but no longer provide masks to patients and carers. Videoconsultations are conducted via telehealth at our dedicated virtual clinic. We are experiencing high demand for appointments hence require that all patients provide a referral prior to booking an appointment so that we can identify and manage urgent and emergency conditions in a timely manner, and so that our surgeons can assess your suitability for a telehealth appointment and identify any further information or tests that might be required before your consultation. If our surgeons assess that your condition (especially recent injuries) is best managed with hand therapy rather than surgery we may recommend that you see a qualified hand therapist (physiotherapist or occupational therapist) rather than schedule an appointment with our surgeons. Dr Tomlinson does not offer consultations and surgical services where a Medicare Rebatable Item Code does not apply; this includes injections for palmar hyperhidrosis. Dr Tomlinson has scheduled sabbatical leave during much of October, November and December 2023 so will not be available for urgent or emergency referrals during that time.

PIPJ dislocation

Created 18 December 2011, last modified 04 December 2012

Anatomy

The end joint of the finger is called the "distal interphalangeal joint" (abbreviated as "DIPJ"). The finger joint that is closer to the knuckle is called the "proximal interphalangeal joint" (abbreviated as "PIPJ").

Proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) dislocation

The most common ways to dislocate the PIPJ are in a sporting injury or fall. In most instances it is possible to relocate the joint without surgery. In hospital an X-ray is performed before and after the relocation, so that any fracture can be detected. After the finger is relocated it is common to see a tiny fracture (or small fuzzy area) at the front of the finger, which usually is a sign of a volar plate injury (also termed a "volar plate avulsion"). The volar plate is a ligament on the front of the finger that stops your fingers from bending over backwards.

A volar plate avulsion can be repaired surgically, but more commonly the ligament injury is managed with splinting and mobilisation. The splint prevents the finger from straightening fully, allowing the ligament to heal and for stability to be regained. Note that the finger is not splinted straight for weeks on end. It is equally important to flex the joint regularly, so that the range of movement is maintained. In the first few days the finger will usually be too sore and swollen to move much.

Sometimes a severe PIPJ dislocation will completely disrupt both the volar plate and the collateral ligaments. In this instance the joint will not look completely back in position on the second X-ray; this type of injury usually requires surgery.

Open dislocation

An "open" dislocation occurs when the force of the dislocation tears the tissues overlying the joint, resulting in a wound that allows the joint to communicate with the outside world. This carries a significant risk of infection. Antibiotics and surgical washout of the joint are necessary. At the time of the washout the surgeon will commonly repair any injured ligaments. You will be placed in a splint and commence movement exercises around a week after surgery.

Overall goal

happy man on phone striped shirt The most important goals in treating a dislocated finger are to end up with a mobile, stable finger. You want your finger to have a full range of movement and to not be unstable in any particular direction. Achieving this requires a careful balance of stillness (splinting) and movement (finger exercises), and sometimes (but not usually) surgery. Please call Melbourne Hand Surgery if you have any concerns!

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