Rehabilitation for finger dislocation
Exercises for finger dislocation
How long will the effects of the injury last?
When can I return to my sport or activity?
Read more about finger dislocation

Rehabilitation for finger dislocation
As an athlete, your number one concern is getting back to full strength as soon as possible so that you can return to training and competition. That is why appropriate rehabilitation is extremely important. Rehabilitation for a dislocated finger often includes the following:

• Rest
  Avoid using the inured finger.
  
  
• Ice
  Apply ice or a cold pack to your finger for 15 to 20 minutes, 4 times a day until swelling and pain are gone. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin.
  
  
• Compression
  Wrap an elastic compression bandage around the finger to limit swelling.
  
  
• Elevation
  Keep the injured finger raised above the level of your heart for 48 hours (such as up on a pillow). This will help drain fluid and reduce swelling.
  
  
• Medication
  Use anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and speed up recovery.

Exercises for finger dislocation
Rehabilitation for a dislocated finger is a matter of following prescribed treatment until symptoms disappear. However, the following exercises may aid in restoring strength and range of motion to the injured hand, especially in cases where immobilization of the injured finger is required.

• Ball squeeze
  Place a tennis ball or equivalent in the palm of the injured hand and squeeze as forcefully as pain permits for five seconds. Slowly relax the hand. Rest for five seconds. Repeat 10 times at least three times a day. Generally, the more often the sequence can be repeated in a day, the better. From day to day, pain should subside until the point where the exercise can be done without pain.
  
  
• Finger extension
  Place hand, palm forward, on a wall or other flat surface. Press the palm toward the flat surface as fully as pain permits and hold for five seconds. Return to starting position and rest for five seconds. Repeat this sequence 10 times at least three times a day. Generally, the more often the sequence can be repeated in a day, the better. From day to day, pain should subside until the point where the exercise can be done without pain.

How long will the effects of the injury last?
Once the finger is reset, you may need to wear a splint or cast for 3 to 6 weeks; even after this period there may be some pain or swelling, which may persist for weeks.

When can I return to my sport or activity?
In the mildest cases, pain and swelling may last two or more days, despite proper treatment. If the finger is broken, it may take a month or more to return to competition, depending on the severity of the disruption of the joint.

Remember: The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or activity as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Return to your activity is determined by how soon your dislocated finger recovers and full range of motion is restored, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury occurred.