A Point in the Right Direction: The Athletic Finger

Sustained a finger injury on the weekend playing sport? Here’s a quick run-down on common finger injuries and how you can manage them yourself to help get yourself back in the game. 

Finger fractures are common in sports and non-sport-related injuries. About 10% of all fractures that present for care are caused by them(1). Sports-related finger fractures account for about 30% of adult and adolescents(2). In sports like rugby and soccer, fractures of the fingers are the second most common while in court sports such as basketball they are the most common fracture(1). 

Common Finger Injuries 

• Dislocations

  • Simple dislocations can be reduced by professionals and the player/athlete can usually return to play using buddy taping in a few days(3). It is also recommended to have an x-ray after a dislocation just to ensure there is no fracture. 

• Mallet Finger 

  • Commonly caused by hyperflexion/hyperextension forces to the fingertip typically from an impact of the hand to a ball e.g. going for a mark in AFL and only the fingertips graze the ball. Managed via 24-hour splinting of the fingertip for a few weeks. 

• Fractures 

  • Finger shaft fractures commonly occur from the finger being pushed out to the ‘side’. Seen in volleyball, netball and basketball players, non-displaced fractures can be treated conservatively but will require a splint. 

• Ligament Sprains 

  • Ligament sprains in sports are very common and even more so in your PIP joint than your DIP joint(4). Colloquially referred to as a jarred finger, local pain and swelling to the joint as well as and stress test (usually gently pulling the finger from one side to the other). Management is usually achieve by buddy taping or Figure-6 taping. 

Check out our Buddy taping and Figure-6 taping video on Instagram here!

Do you have any questions or concerns with your fingers? Are you about to return to sport following a finger injury? We have Sport and Exercise Physiotherapists ready to help. 

Call ☎️ 9873 2770

Book online: https://bookings.nookal.com/bookings/location/39XKS

References 

1. Wood, A.M. et al. (2010) ‘The epidemiology of sports-related fractures in adolescents’, Injury, 41(8), pp. 834–838. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2010.04.008. 

2. Aitken, S. and Court-Brown, C.M. (2008) ‘The epidemiology of sports-related fractures of the hand’, Injury, 39(12), pp. 1377–1383. doi:10.1016/j.injury.2008.04.012. 

3. Miller, E.A. and Friedrich, J.B. (2020) ‘Management of finger joint dislocation and fracture-dislocations in athletes’, Clinics in Sports Medicine, 39(2), pp. 423–442. doi:10.1016/j.csm.2019.10.006. 

4. Leggit JC, Meko CJ. ‘Acute finger injuries: part I. Tendons and ligaments’. Am Fam Physician. 2006;73(5):810–6.