Dislocation of the finger joint

Definition

The term “dislocation of the finger joint” or “dislocated finger joint” is the colloquial term for the dislocation of a finger joint. When a joint is dislocated, the bones spring out of the joint.

Introduction

A subform of dislocation is subluxation, in which the bones do not spring out of the joint completely, but the position of the bones within the joint shifts. The dislocation of a finger joint is usually due to a sudden and strong application of force as in a fall, but can also happen spontaneously without external force. The dislocation of a finger joint is very painful.

Not only the finger joints can be affected by a dislocation: The shoulder is the joint that dislocates most often, elbow and kneecap are also frequently affected. The finger joints are less frequently affected by a dislocation. A finger has a total of three joints: the base joint at the transition to the hand, the middle joint and the end joint. Each of these joints can be affected by a dislocation.

Cause

In a joint, several bones are in contact with each other. At the contact surfaces they are covered with cartilage to protect the bone material. Communication between the bones takes place within the joint cavity, which is surrounded by a joint capsule.

Each joint is secured by ligaments, muscles and tendons. When a finger joint is dislocated, the bones usually “pop out” of the joint due to a strong external force. The reason for this is that the ligaments and muscles that stabilize the joint are not strong enough to keep the bones in the joint despite the force applied.

This results in dislocation (the bones pop out completely) or subluxation (“slipping” of the bones within the joint). Luxation and subluxation are colloquially referred to as dislocation. In most cases, sports injuries are the cause of a dislocation of the finger joint, possible are falls or the impact of a ball on the injured finger.

People who have connective tissue with above-average elasticity are more often affected by dislocations than others. Dislocation of joints also occurs more frequently in older people than in younger people because the tendons and muscles in older people are weaker and the bones can therefore jump out of the joint simply by the application of smaller forces. In addition, arthrosis and joint diseases such as rheumatism favour the dislocation of joints. (see: Finger arthrosis) The pathologically changed joint surfaces can jump out more easily than healthy joint surfaces. Children are less frequently affected by dislocations of the fingers than adults because the bones of children are more flexible and therefore do not jump out of the joint as often when a strong force is applied to the joint.