Dislocated finger: what to do, why not to pull it back yourself, and getting back to sport
A dislocated finger has come out of joint, most often the middle joint bent backwards by a ball or a fall. Go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E. Don't pull it back yourself or let a teammate do it: some dislocations come with a break or a torn tendon. Even if it popped back in on its own, it needs an X-ray.
Once it's back in, most heal without surgery, with buddy strapping or a splint and movement from the first days; in a trial of 200 adults, a home exercise sheet worked as well as therapy sessions. This guide covers what happens in A&E, the stages back to full grip, how long the swelling lasts and getting back to sport, with a 3D demo of each move.
Exercise is for pain that has been checked or is clearly mild and settling.
Get urgent medical help if
Call 999 or go to A&E after an injury (don't drive yourself) if your hand or a finger is numb, tingling or has pins and needles; a bone is sticking out or a bad cut is bleeding heavily; or a finger has turned blue, grey, white or cold.
Go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E if a finger looks out of shape, is crooked at a joint or is pointing at an odd angle, or you heard a crack or snap when you hurt it: it may be broken or dislocated. Don't pull on it or try to put it back. Support it in the most comfortable position, raise the hand, take off any rings, and don't drive yourself.
Same day, even if it went back in by itself or was pulled back at the pitch: go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E. It still needs an X-ray to look for a broken bone in the joint, and a check that the joint is stable and the tendons work.
A cut or split skin over the dislocated joint, usually on the palm side: go to A&E. The joint may be open to the skin.
Same day (NHS 111): the finger is the right shape, but you can't move or bend it properly or hold things; it's painful, swollen and bruised; the pain is severe or makes you feel faint, dizzy or sick; or you have a very high temperature or feel hot or cold and shivery. You'll probably need an X-ray, and NHS 111 will tell you where to go. If the finger is out of shape, go straight to an urgent treatment centre or A&E instead.
After it has been put back: it comes out again, or the strapped finger changes colour, goes cold or numb, or you get new pins and needles. Contact the fracture clinic or emergency department straight away, and loosen the strapping if it's too tight.
After an operation or a cut: the wound is swollen, red and getting more painful or has pus coming out of it, or you also feel generally unwell or have a high temperature. Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111.
See a doctor or physiotherapist if
You're worried about your symptoms, especially 6 weeks after the injury, or you're struggling to get back to exercise or your usual activities 6 to 8 weeks after it: contact the fracture clinic. One service says to contact them if the finger is still stiff after 2 months.
The joint feels loose, gives way or keeps coming out: if the ligaments don't heal well, the joint can stay unstable, which may need surgery.
The middle joint won't straighten on its own after the dislocation: the central slip, the tendon that straightens it, may be torn (a boutonnière injury). Get it checked within a few days.
Your pain relief isn't enough, or it isn't improving: see your GP.
After an injury or operation, pain that is getting worse instead of better or far worse than you'd expect, with swelling, colour or temperature changes, or skin that is very sensitive to touch: contact the clinic that treated you, your hand therapist or your GP promptly. It can be complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), and early treatment may help.
You have diabetes and a hand problem: the NHS says hand problems can be more serious if you have diabetes.
Understand it
What it is
A dislocation means the two surfaces of a joint are no longer in contact. It can happen at any finger joint, but the middle joint is the commonest. Most are pushed backwards, the middle bone over the first, when the finger is bent back, which tears the volar plate on the palm side. Sideways ones tear a ligament at the side, and dislocations towards the palm are the least common and tear the central slip, the tendon that straightens the middle joint.
Some come with a broken bone, which the British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH) says may make the treatment more difficult and the outcome more uncertain. Occasionally the skin on the palm side splits open. A dislocated knuckle at the base of a finger, or a dislocated thumb, is a different injury with different treatment, but the same urgent advice applies; our skier's thumb and broken thumb guides cover the thumb.
Most come from a fall or sport, and fewer from violence or road accidents. Ball sports are typical: a basketball or baseball striking the tip of an outstretched finger, and netball and cricket in a 2025 review. In a Dutch trial of 200 adults, about 40% had dislocated the middle joint backwards and the rest had bent it back hard enough to pull off a flake of bone, and about half of all the injuries came from sport.
X-rays from several angles, a local anaesthetic injection at the base of the finger, and the bones eased back into place: the BSSH says most dislocations are simple and easily put back, usually in the emergency department. Another X-ray checks it's back in and looks for a break in the joint, and the doctor checks how stable it is. You'll usually leave with the finger strapped to its neighbour or in a splint.
Surgery is needed if it can't be put back (more likely with dislocations towards the palm, where soft tissue can get trapped), if it won't stay in, or if there's a large break. A sports review warns that athletes often think of dislocations as harmless sprains, but a missed fracture-dislocation can leave permanent deformity and loss of movement. That's why a finger that went back in at the pitch still needs checking.
The BSSH says most simple cases get back to normal function, but a dislocation is a serious injury and some stiffness can remain. A dislocation with a break into the joint is likely to leave some long-term stiffness and a risk of arthritis, and ligaments that don't heal well can leave the joint unstable and prone to coming out again, which may need surgery.
NHS leaflets say it usually takes around 12 weeks to heal, with an ache and swelling for a few months; one says the swelling may take several months to settle, and another that almost all simple injuries heal fully without surgery. In the Dutch trial, finger movement was 95% of the other side at 3 months.
Dislocations towards the palm, and ones found late
Dislocations towards the palm do worse: in 15 such cases referred late, 12 needed surgery, and none got back a full range of movement at the middle joint, though all returned to full activities. Dislocations left for 4 weeks or more need surgery to put them back, and the evidence on the results is very weak. After surgery for unstable fracture-dislocations, movement held for up to 16 years, but being 45 or over and a step left in the joint surface went with less movement, more pain and arthritis.
Moving early left fewer stiff fingers than a cast, in a small studyEmerging evidence
In a small study of 50 adults with a middle joint dislocated backwards and to the side, 25 had 4 weeks in a cast that held both finger joints still, and 25 had a splint that stopped the joint straightening fully, with daily exercises. After the cast, 16 had lost 10 degrees or more of straightening and 9 had normal movement; after early movement, 2 had lost straightening and 23 had normal movement, with better pinch. Two in the early-movement group had a loose side ligament.
A sports review warns that rigid splints shouldn't stay on for more than 3 weeks, because long wear often stiffens the joint.
A home exercise sheet worked as well as therapy sessionsEmerging evidence
In the Dutch trial of 200 adults with a stable middle joint, about 40% of them after a full dislocation, all wore a splint for 4 weeks, and a home exercise sheet did as well as supervised hand therapy at 3 months, with no safety problems. People with unstable joints, or joints that couldn't be put back or came out again, were left out, so it applies to stable injuries. In a non-randomised trial of 133 adults with hand injuries, clinics run by hand therapists did as well as usual care, with fewer appointments.
Strapping or a splint, and for how longEmerging evidence
Practice varies, and no trial has compared how long to strap or splint. NHS services strap the finger for 10 days (South Tees), for comfort for the first 2 weeks, stopping at 3 to 5 weeks (University Hospitals Sussex), or until you're told to stop (Cambridge). The MSD Manual says a splint for about 3 weeks, and the Dutch trial used a splint for 4 weeks. All of them start movement within days.
Back to sport: NHS leaflets and sports reviews differEmerging evidence
Cambridge's NHS leaflet says no physical or contact sport for at least 6 weeks unless you're told otherwise, and another says to avoid loading the finger for 6 weeks, then return gradually, guided by pain. Sports reviews let athletes with a stable joint go back much sooner, protected by buddy taping (with a soft splint as well in contact sport), and those with an unstable joint in a protective splint for at least 4 weeks. Your clinic, team doctor or hand therapist decides; tape the finger to its neighbour when you go back.
Some discomfort, within your limitsEmerging evidence
This rule is borrowed from an NHS wrist fracture booklet: an unpleasant stretch of up to about 5 out of 10 is fine, if it settles within about 30 minutes. The dislocation leaflets agree: the exercises shouldn't cause too much pain, avoid ones that make it much worse, and don't force the movement, but work within your limits. Another says the exercises may be uncomfortable, but you don't need to push into pain.
Avoid loading the finger (heavy gripping, weight through the hand, catching) for the first 6 weeks. Swelling and an ache for a few months are normal if the movement keeps improving.
Start at the first stage. Each move opens a full guide with a 3D demo.
Stage 1
Strapped or splinted: keep it moving (about weeks 0 to 3, as your team allows)
As your team allows, from the day it's put back. Wear the strapping or splint as you've been told, often for 10 days to 3 weeks. Rest the hand for the first 24 to 72 hours, but keep it moving. Raise the hand, take off rings, and use a cold pack wrapped in a damp towel for up to 15 minutes every few hours. Don't bend the finger backwards, and use the hand only for light tasks. Touch your thumb to each fingertip, 5 times, several times a day (steps below).
5 breaths, the out-breath longer than the in-breath, a few times a day · The move page's dose; how often is our suggestion. Lifting the hand helps the swelling
Move on when: Your clinic says the strapping can come off, usually by about 3 weeks.
Follow along: a timer, a cue and the next move, one step at a time.
Stage 2
Strapping off: full movement (about weeks 3 to 6, as your team allows)
As your team allows. Stop using the strapping and use the hand for normal light tasks, guided by pain. Add single-joint bends, 5 of each joint (steps below). Still no heavy gripping, catching or weight through the hand. A soft ball from about 4 weeks (our suggestion).
Move on when: The finger bends and straightens fully and you can grip lightly without an ache that lasts more than about half an hour: usually about 6 weeks.
Follow along: a timer, a cue and the next move, one step at a time.
Stage 3
Strength and sport (from about 6 weeks, as your team allows)
From about 6 weeks, as your team allows: normal activities guided by pain, building up heavy tasks, lifting and impact gradually. UK leaflets say no physical or contact sport for at least 6 weeks unless your team says otherwise; tape the finger to its neighbour when you go back. Swelling and an ache can last a few months. The doses are editorial.
Move on when: Your grip is close to the other hand's and the finger copes with your sport. The grip strength workout takes it from here.
Follow along: a timer, a cue and the next move, one step at a time.
What to change for now
First aid while you get it seen
First-aid advice is not to try to put a dislocated joint back, as it may cause further injury, and the NHS says the same for a dislocated shoulder. Support the finger in the most comfortable position and keep it still, raise the hand, take off rings, and get it seen. A crooked finger is best left as it lies rather than taped to its neighbour (our suggestion).
Thumb touches and single-joint bends (written steps)
Our 3D figure can't show these. Thumb touches start straight away. Single-joint bends are the finger joint blocking move, and they start once the strapping comes off, at about 3 to 5 weeks.
1. Thumb touches: touch the tip of your thumb to the tip of each finger in turn, 5 times. When that's easy, bring the thumb to the base of each finger.
2. Single-joint bends: sit with your forearm resting on a table, palm up and the fingers relaxed.
3. Middle joint: with the thumb and index finger of your other hand, hold the injured finger just below its middle joint, so the big knuckle stays straight. Bend the middle joint as far as is comfortable, pause, then straighten it fully.
4. End joint: move your grip up to hold the middle part of the finger, so the middle joint stays straight. Bend the end joint, pause, then straighten it fully.
5. Do 5 bends of each joint, several times a day. Don't force the movement; work within your limits.
Make sure the strapping doesn't cover the joint, so the finger can still bend, as one NHS leaflet says. The steps are the same as for a jammed finger.
1. Take any rings off that hand first.
2. Put a small piece of gauze or cotton wool between the injured finger and its neighbour, to stop the skin rubbing and soak up sweat.
3. Put one strip of tape round both fingers between the first and second joints, and another between the second and third, so the joints can still bend. Cut the tape narrower if it blocks the movement.
4. It should be firm enough that the two fingers move together, but not so tight that the swelling increases.
5. Change it every day and whenever it gets wet, check the skin between the fingers, and re-tape straight away.
6. If the finger changes colour, or you get pins and needles you didn't have before, it's too tight: loosen it.
Go to an urgent treatment centre or A&E, and don't drive yourself. Keep it still in the most comfortable position, raise the hand and take off rings.
Should I pop my finger back in?
No. Trying can cause further injury, and some dislocations come with a broken bone. In A&E it's put back with a local anaesthetic after an X-ray.
It popped back in by itself. Do I still need to be seen?
Yes, the same day. It needs an X-ray to check for a break in the joint, and a check that the joint is stable and the tendons work.
What happens in A&E?
X-rays, an injection to numb the finger, and the bones eased back into place, then another X-ray. You'll usually leave with the finger strapped to its neighbour or in a splint.
How long does a dislocated finger take to heal?
NHS leaflets say about 12 weeks, though the finger may ache and stay swollen for a few months. Most simple dislocations get back to normal use.
Should I buddy tape it, and for how long?
Usually for comfort for the first 10 days to 3 weeks, keeping the joints free to bend. After that, tape it only when the finger might get knocked.
What exercises help after a dislocated finger?
From the start, touch your thumb to each fingertip and bend and straighten all the joints, within your limits. From about 3 weeks, add single-joint bends.
Why is my finger still swollen?
Swelling often takes several months to settle, and the joint may stay a little thicker. It's normal if the movement is improving.
When can I play sport again?
UK leaflets say no physical or contact sport for at least 6 weeks unless your team says otherwise. Sports reviews let some athletes with a stable joint back sooner with the finger taped to its neighbour, so your clinic or team decides.
Will it dislocate again?
Most don't, but if the ligaments don't heal well, the joint can feel loose and come out again, which may need surgery. Tell your clinic straight away if it does.
Do I need physiotherapy?
Many people recover with a home exercise sheet: in a trial of 200 adults, it worked as well as therapy sessions for stable joints. See a physiotherapist or hand therapist if it's still stiff after 6 to 8 weeks.
My finger won't straighten after a dislocation. Why?
It may be stiffness, which exercises help, or a torn tendon on the back of the middle joint, especially after a dislocation towards the palm. Get it checked within a few days.
Exercise education, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. It is written from the guidelines and studies listed above; review by a clinician is pending. If your pain follows an injury, is severe, is getting worse, or comes with any warning sign listed on this page, get it assessed. Health disclaimer.
