Volar Plate Injury FAQS: Jammed Fingers & Avulsion Fractures
There are 14 bones in the fingers of each hand. That’s a lot of small bones! And while people are generally familiar with the muscles in the hand that contract, allowing movement of the bones, they don’t often stop to think about what holds the many small hand bones together.
Ligaments are the fibrous tissues that bind together two adjacent joints. And a “volar plate” is the thick ligament that joins two bones in the finger together. The volar plate also prevents the fingers from bending backwards. Volar plates also serve the important function of stabilizing the middle joint of the finger (proximal interphalangeal or “PIP”).
When the volar plate is injured, most people call it a “jammed finger”. Stretching or partially tearing a volar ligament is usually a minor injury. However, injury that ruptures or tears away the volar plate from the bone is a more serious condition called an “avulsion fracture”.
In this article, Oakland County hand surgeon Dr. Uzma Rehman answers patient’s frequently asked questions about volar plate injuries.
What causes a volar plate injury?
Volar plate injuries most commonly result from sports accidents, or ‘slip and falls’, in which the finger is hit straight on the tip or is bent backwards.
Traumas such as automobile or motorcycle accidents, can also cause serious volar plate damage, tearing or rupturing the ligament.
What are the symptoms of a volar plate injury?
Jammed finger: Symptoms of a volar stretch or small, partial tear typically include pain, swelling, tenderness on the palm side of the joint, and bruising around the affected joint.
Avulsion fracture: When the volar plate ruptures or tears away from the bone, in addition to pain, swelling and bruising it may cause joint instability or dislocation.
How do hand surgeons diagnose a volar plate injury?
How the injury occurred is typically the first question your hand surgeon will ask, as volar plate injuries usually involve “jamming” the finger straight-on – or bending it backwards. In addition to the complete medical history and physical exam, the hand surgeon will usually order an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other injuries, such as a broken finger bone (fracture).
How does a hand surgeon treat a volar plate injury?
Jammed finger: Most volar plate injuries are not serious and respond very well to non-surgical treatments, such as rest, splinting, and hand therapy.
Avulsion fractures: However, if the damage is severe, the joint is unstable, or there is an “avulsion fracture” (tear from bone or rupture), surgery may be necessary. Oakland County hand surgeon Dr. Uzma Rehman has repaired hundreds of volar plate injuries and avulsion fractures.
Volnar plate surgery may involve repairing damaged ligaments, releasing scarred tendons or joint capsule if necessary, and if required removing a volar plate that has become trapped in the finger joint.
Following volar plate surgery, patients will typically be required to spend several weeks in a cast or splint. Rehabilitation with one of our skilled and experienced Certified Hand Therapists will also be prescribed to strengthen and stabilize the muscles around the joints, improve hand dexterity, and restore full mobility to the injured finger(s) and hand.
How long does a volar plate injury take to heal?
Full recovery can take from four weeks to several months, depending on the severity of the ligament injury and the patient’s overall health.
Most minor volar plate injuries will heal quickly with regular therapy exercises, and many patients regain full movement within 4 to 6 weeks.
However, if the patient needs to see a hand surgeon and surgery is required, it may take several months for symptoms to subside completely. Pain or discomfort, stiffness, limited mobility, decreased strength and swelling may be present for up to six months – depending on the degree of the injury, the patient’s age and overall health, and how diligently he/she follows her physical therapy regimen.
Volar Plate Injury | Oakland County Hand Surgeon
If you are suffering from pain, swelling, or lack of stability in your fingers, or other hand problems, contact board-certified Oakland County hand surgeon Doctor Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. She will discuss your treatment options with you – with skill, compassion and years of experience – and recommend the best treatment to help you relieve your pain and resume the activities that you enjoy.
