Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.
What is a finger dislocation? —
This is when 1 of the bones in a finger joint is pushed or pulled out of position. The bone can be forced to the front, back, or side of the joint. When this happens, the finger bones do not line up correctly.
A finger dislocation usually happens from a sudden injury.
Sometimes, a finger dislocation can be treated with "reduction." For this procedure, a doctor puts the bone back in the correct position. In more severe cases, the dislocation needs to be treated with surgery.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also:
●Place an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel over the painful part. Never put ice right on the skin. Use ice every 1 to 2 hours for 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Use for the first 24 to 48 hours after your injury.
●Prop your hand on pillows, keeping it raised above the level of your heart. This can help with pain and swelling.
●Take non-prescription medicines if you have pain over the next few days. Examples include acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
●Wear your finger splint as instructed. This is important to lower the risk of dislocating the joint again. Most people need to wear the splint for days to weeks, depending on which joint was dislocated.
●Do your finger exercises as instructed. This usually involves "range-of-motion" exercises to help prevent finger stiffness. You can start these after your doctor says it is safe to remove the splint. They will also tell you what specific exercises to do.
●Follow instructions about returning to sports or other activities. This depends on where your dislocation was. If you were told you can return to sports or other activities right away, wear your splint.
What follow-up care do I need? —
Your doctor or nurse will probably want to see you again within a week to see how you are healing. In some cases, they might have you see a specialist called an "orthopedic surgeon." Make sure you know when and where to go.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call your doctor or nurse for advice if:
●Your finger looks blue or gray.
●Your pain or swelling gets worse.
●You cannot bend your finger.
●Your finger movement or appearance is not improving.
Patient education: Finger dislocation (The Basics)
Patient education: Common finger injuries (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for a splint (The Basics)
