Dislocate your thumb
It’s very important to get an x-ray after the dislocation has been reduced. An x-ray prior to popping the finger back in (known as reducing the dislocation) can actually be useful information for your treating therapist. If there isn’t someone qualified onsite, go to your local emergency department. Jo Bloggs could cause more damage by reefing on your injured finger. When you or your team-mate dislocate a finger in a match, make sure it is only put back in by a qualified person. Because it may not be “just” a dislocated finger.
Dislocate your thumb how to#
I’m here to give you some tips on why and how to prevent complications such as stiffness, deformity and recurrent dislocations. And then what? The only solution is surgical. The more often you dislocate the same joint, the more easily it happens until it takes barely anything to pop it out of place. You’re left with a permanently bent, clunky or stiff finger. Sometimes, it’s as simple as popping the finger back in, buddy strapping to the next finger and away you go. All it takes is a fast-moving ball to hit the end of the finger and – ouch! It’s dislocated. That sounds a bit more serious… but isn’t it just a dislocated finger?įinger dislocations are extremely common in ball sports, in fact you may have had one or two yourself.
But it’s no biggie because he won’t miss any matches, right? But hang on a second, the Lions team Head of Medical reported that the dislocation was accompanied by a small fracture near the joint and Rockliff has to wear a splint on the finger when he’s not playing. Painkillers and Anti-inflammatories can help to relieve some pain and we recommend you see your local Pharmacist or Doctor regarding the best type for you.If you follow the AFL, you’ll know that Brisbane Lions vice captain Tom Rockliff experienced a finger dislocation last month during their match against Richmond. We can advise and educate you about your injury and set goals with you to achieve in and out of our sessions. We will treat the local symptoms with techniques such as mobilisations, massage, stretching, acupuncture, and give you some basic home exercises to help you get better, faster.
We will look at the thumb and finger and also whole mechanical chain including how you grip, lift and use your hands, wrist and arms to do normal daily tasks and the aggravating activities. How can Back in Action Physiotherapy help?Īt Back in Action we will talk to you and listen to how your pain is affecting your everyday activities. Further investigations with ultrasound may be required is your tendonosis is not resolving in an expected time frame to specifically diagnose the extent of the inflammation and eliminate any other causes for slow recovery. They can normally be diagnosed without invasive tests or investigations however you may be referred for an x-ray if you have had a dislocation. Your Physiotherapist can diagnose a contusion, dislocation or tendonosis from your symptoms and from a few specific tests around your thumb, finger and forearm. Over time the tendon can no longer handle the load and inflames causing pain, aching and an inability to use the thumb or finger without pain. Tendonosis is an over-use of one tendon repetitively. These are caused by catching your finger or thumb on something eg somebodies shirt, a table or other object or landing awkwardly. Fractures are also very common with dislocations and as such all dislocations should be sent for x-ray to eliminate a fracture.
For example a hammer, door or other heavy object.ĭislocation is often obvious with the finger or thumb pointing in an abnormal direction however a small dislocation in the joints in our fingers can often be missed. something falling on or hitting your thumb or finger. What causes these injuries?Ĭontusions are caused by a hit or crush e.g. Pain can be worse at night or by the end of the day after using your fingers repetitively eg typing or using the mouse all day. Tendonitis is a gradual increase of pain along the tendon. Once relocated the area feels more normal but as the nerve and blood starts to work again you maybe feel the dull pain increase. As the nerve starts to heal you may feel pins and needles or a cold feeling.ĭislocation also feels like an intense dull pain but you will have a feeling that something is not right in that area. As the blood starts to return to the area the pain is felt more like a throbbing or tightness. There are many injuries that can happen to our fingers and thumbs but the most common are contusion (whacking your thumb), dislocation and tendonosis.Ĭontusion is generally an intense dull pain but can also feel like numbness if the nerve has been crushed.