Interphalangeal Dislocation Follow-up
- Author: Grace M Young, MD; Chief Editor: Rick Kulkarni, MD more...
Further Inpatient Care
- Admission may be warranted as dictated by a hand consultant or concurrent injuries.
Further Outpatient Care
- Apply ice and elevate the digit. Splint at all times.
- The patient should not participate in sports activities involving the hand.
- The patient should have a follow-up evaluation with an orthopedist or hand specialist.
Inpatient & Outpatient Medications
- NSAIDs may be taken as needed.
Transfer
- If an orthopedic or hand specialist is not immediately available for consultation, transfer patients whose reductions are unsuccessful or those who have an unstable joint, open joint injury, or associated epiphyseal or avulsion fracture.[13]
Deterrence/Prevention
- Patients may use supportive taping during future sports activities.
Complications
- Complications are rare with early reduction, although persistent pain or swelling is common. Despite appropriate management with rest, ice, and elevation, pain and swelling may persist for 6-12 months.[6, 7]
- Inadequate immobilization after reduction may result in redislocation.
- Prolonged immobilization may result in muscle contracture.
- Volar plate injury may lead to recurrent dislocation with chronic laxity, hyperextensibility (swan-neck deformity on active extension), or flexion contracture (pseudoboutonnière deformity without DIP hyperextension).
- Late or delayed reduction commonly results in loss of joint motion, joint instability, and limitation of hand function.
Prognosis
- The prognosis is excellent with proper reduction and follow-up evaluation by orthopedic or hand specialist.
Patient Education
- For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Breaks, Fractures, and Dislocations Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles, Broken Finger, Broken Hand, and Broken Toe.
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