Is a volar plate injury serious?

Most volar plate injuries heal without any problems in about six weeks. You should regain movement quickly with regular exercise (within four weeks). However, it may take several months for your symptoms to settle completely – these can include pain or discomfort, stiffness, decreased strength and swelling.

How long does a volar plate injury take to heal?

You have injured a ligament called the volar plate. This takes 4 – 6 weeks to heal, during this time you must wear a splint which allows the injured finger/s to bend but prevents full straightening of the injured joint. The splint must be worn continuously for 4 – 6 weeks, depending on the severity of the injury.

What is a volar plate injury?

Volar Plate injuries are often referred to as a “jammed finger”. The Volar Plate can be defined as a very thick ligament that prevents hyperextension from occurring. If there is enough force during hyperextension, the disruption may cause a rupture of the Volar Plate at its insertion on the middle phalanx of a finger.

How long does it take for a PIP joint to heal?

Although recovery time varies among individuals, after surgery you will likely need to attend therapy sessions for two to three months, and you should expect full recovery to take up to four months.

How do you fix a volar plate injury?

“Buddy taping” is the most common treatment for volar plate avulsion fractures. When the injured finger is taped to another “good” finger, the healthy finger acts like a splint. This ensures that the injured finger is not moved side-to-side or hyperextended. It also helps safely move the joint to prevent stiffness.

How is volar plate injury diagnosed?

Diagnosis of volar plate injury is based on history and examination. There is tenderness maximally over the volar PIPJ, pain on passive hyperextension of the injured finger, possible PIPJ instability, and loss of pinch power.

How does volar plate heal?

Most volar plate injuries respond well to non-surgical treatment. This includes rest, short periods of splinting and hand therapy. If the damage is severe, the joint is unstable or a fracture is present, surgery may be necessary.

How do you splint a volar plate injury?

The volar plate is a ligament located at the middle knuckle (proximal interphalangeal joint – PIPJ) of the finger. It is commonly injured through hyperextension, for example a ball hitting the fingertip….Volar Plate Injury: A Comparison of Two Splinting Methods.

Last Update Posted:	March 21, 2019
Last Verified:	March 2019

How do you treat a PIP joint injury?

Available treatment options include immobilization, protected motion, traction, open reduction and internal fixation, buttress reconstruction, joint arthroplasty, or arthrodesis. By principle, stable PIP joint fracture dislocations can be treated non-surgically if closed reduction can restore a normal AOM.

Can you break your PIP joint?

This chip fracture on both the DIP and PIP joints is the most common pattern of injury (although a double avulsion fracture is very uncommon). This required splinting for a few days to control the pain and then an active exercise program because it is a stable injury.

How long does volar plate swelling last?

Most volar plate injuries heal in about 6 weeks. However the swelling, pain or discomfort may take several months to settle completely. The volar plate and soft tissue can take up to 3 months to heal fully. Most simple injuries will return to normal function after 3 months.

How do you tape a PIP joint?

With the zinc oxide tape, circle the finger once just above the PIP joint as pictured. The tape does not need to be tight. Step 2: With the finger held straight lay the zinc oxide tape across the finger at a diagonal so that it crosses the middle knuckle (PIP Joint).

What is a PIP fracture?

Fractures of the PIP joint can be divided into injuries with and without joint instability. Treatment goals for fractures without joint subluxation are similar to those for other articular fractures: reduction and stability of the fracture fragments, restoration of articular congruity, and joint mobilization.

How is a pip fracture treated?

Should I buddy tape my finger?

Buddy taping can be used for minor finger and toe injuries such as sprains or strains. You shouldn’t use it if there are any obvious deformities from the injury, such as a bone at an odd angle. Seek medical attention if you have any open wounds that could require stitches, bones visibly out of place, or severe pain.

How do you tell if finger is broken or sprained?

While jammed fingers are less serious than a fracture, you will still experience bruising and swelling; and even with a broken bone, you may have a limited range of motion. If you injured your hand and are experiencing swelling and bruising, the best way to know for sure is to get an x-ray of your fingers.

How do you heal a PIP joint?

Is buddy taping considered fracture care?

Answer: If the physician provides restorative/definitive care for the patient’s broken toe, the service could be fracture care. Often, buddy taping is the definitive treatment for broken toes/fingers.

Should you sleep with a splint on your finger?

Again, you must still sleep in your splint. If your occupation requires heavy bending and lifting with your fingers, you should continue to wear the tip protector at work.

How do you know if you tore a tendon in your finger?

Painful and swollen finger joints. Difficulty bending your finger joints or inability to bend these joints. Numbness in your finger – if the nerves that are located very close to your flexor tendon are also injured. Tenderness and pain on the palm side of the affected finger.