Distal interphalangeal dislocation (finger)

Background

• Uncommon due to firm attachment of skin and subq tissue to underlying bone
  • When dislocations do occur usually are dorsal and are frequently open

Clinical Features

• Finger pain/deformity

Differential Diagnosis

Hand and finger dislocations

• Finger dislocations
  • Distal interphalangeal dislocation (finger) (DIP)
  • Proximal interphalangeal dislocation (finger) (PIP)
  • Metacarpophalangeal dislocation (finger) (MCP)
• Thumb dislocations
  • Interphalangeal dislocation (thumb) (IP)
  • Metacarpophalangeal dislocation (thumb) (MCP)
• Hand dislocations
  • Carpometacarpal dislocation

Hand and finger injuries

• Distal finger
  • Finger amputation
  • Fingertip laceration
  • Nail avulsion
  • Nailbed laceration
  • Subungual hematoma
• Other finger/thumb
  • Boutonniere deformity
  • Mallet finger
    • Swan neck deformity
  • Jammed finger
  • Jersey finger
  • Trigger finger
  • Ring avulsion injury
  • De Quervain tenosynovitis
  • Infiltrative tenosynovitis
  • Metacarpophalangeal ulnar ligament rupture (Gamekeeper's thumb)
• Hand
  • Dupuytren contracture
• Wrist
  • Drummer's wrist
  • Ganglion cyst
  • Lunotriquetral ligament instability
  • Scaphoid fracture
  • Extensor digitorum tenosynovitis
  • Compressive neuropathy ("bracelet syndrome")
  • Intersection syndrome
  • Snapping Extensor Carpi Ulnaris
  • Vaughn Jackson syndrome
• General
  • Hand and finger dislocations
  • Hand and finger fractures
  • Hand and finger infections
  • Gout and pseudogout
  • Hand and finger tendon injuries
  • High-pressure injection injury
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Ring removal

Evaluation

• Finger x-ray (PA and lateral)
  • True lateral of only the finger instead of hand will help detect subtle avulsion fractures

Management

• Consider digital block for pain control

Dorsal/Posterior

• Flex wrist, then hyperextend the joint
• Apply longitudinal traction followed by dorsal pressure to phalanx base
• Irreducible dislocation likely due to entrapment of avulsion fracture, profundus tendor or volar plate
  • Without initial hyperextension, can be difficult to disengage from any trapped soft tissue
• Post reduction, look for central slip rupture, which may lead to Boutonniere deformity

Volar/Anterior

• Flex wrist then hyperflex the affected joint
• Apply gentle traction then extend the joint
• Often need open reduction due to volar plate entrapment

Splinting

• Splint in extension with dorsal splint x 3wk

Disposition

• Outpatient
  • If reduction, follow up within two weeks with hand specialist

See Also

• Hand and finger dislocations