Dislocations of the Hand, Wrist or Fingers

What is a hand, wrist or finger dislocation?

A dislocation happens when the bones in a joint move out of their normal position, usually after a fall, blow or twisting injury. In the hand and wrist, dislocations most often affect the fingers, knuckles or wrist.

These injuries can be painful and may involve damage to nearby soft tissues. Prompt care helps protect the joint and restore normal movement.

Find a specialist

Find a location

A caregiver holds the hand of a senior woman, checking her wrist. The room is bright.

How the hand and wrist joints work

The hand, wrist and fingers contain many small bones connected by joints and supported by ligaments and tendons. These structures work together to allow smooth, controlled movement.

Overview

Symptoms

Causes

Dislocations of the hand, wrist or fingers can occur in many situations, including:

Falls onto an outstretched hand
Sports injuries, especially in ball or contact sports
Work-related injuries or machinery accidents
High-energy injuries such as motor vehicle crashes
Previous injuries that leave a joint unstable

Diagnosis

Why treatment matters

Treatment depends on which joint is involved, whether a fracture is present and how stable the joint is after it is put back into place. Many dislocations do not require surgery.

Nonsurgical treatment

Reduction (repositioning the joint) by a hand and wrist specialist
Splinting, bracing or casting
Anti-inflammatory medications
Image-guided injections, when appropriate
Hand therapy to restore motion and strength

Surgical treatment

If the joint remains unstable or involves significant fractures, your hand and wrist specialist may recommend surgery to stabilize the joint and repair damaged structures.

Take the next step

Our board-certified specialists are here to help you heal. They can often diagnose the problem in one visit and get you started with a personalized treatment plan. We offer a wide variety of treatment options.