The ligament lesions of the phalanx articulations are normally of first or second degree and affect more frequently the fourth and fifth finger, the most vulnerable ones. These sprains produce immediate hard pain that tends to diminish 2-3 minutes after trauma, allowing in general the recovery of the activity.
The limitation is usually related to the level of swelling of the articulation and closing hand in a fist is difficult. Too many times unknown fractures produce relevant articular rigidities or precocious arthrosis. A radiologic check up is therefore always suggested.
The physician will probably suggest you a protective bandage for 7-10 days. When doing sport, it might occur that the injured finger is bandaged with the adjacent one.
The immobilisation with a stick for almost 3 weeks is to be reserved for cases of third level injury, with a light degree of instability. It is however suggested to follow an analgesic therapy throughout the period of immobilisation of the finger.
As the stick is removed, exercises of articular mobilisation have to be started, together with the tone and reinforcement of the intrinsic muscles of the hand.
Distortion of the fingers – Rehabilitation
The distortions of the fingers are usually the 1st or 2nd degree, and most frequently affecting the 4th and 5th finger. They produce intense pain immediately but it drops a few minutes after the injury, allowing resumption of operation. The cause of articular limitation is most often given by swelling, almost always present. Usually it is applied a bandage for a few days but if there’s a high grade of instability the asset will have longer life and then you can begin rehabilitation.
The first phase of the rehabilitation program is focused on the control of pain and inflammation with physical therapies (laser and ultrasound in water) and ice in glass on the sore, and on the recovery of the physiological ROM even at extreme degrees with passive and active mobilizations.
After reaching the full range of motion it is possible to progress to the second stage with the aim of globally strengthening the muscles of wrist and hand with ballast, retinas and clamp type objects, the forearm and shoulder stabilizers with elastic.
The therapeutic program ends with the last phase on the sports field with the aim of recovering the gripping ability and dexterity through a specific proprioceptive work and exercises such as ball on the wall, pushups even with Bobath and unstable surfaces balloons, launch and gripping of objects until you get progressively to the resumption of the sport specific gesture with focus on disciplines that require the involvement of the upper limb and hand. Sometimes, especially in the early stages of the sport shooting is useful anchor the injured finger to an adjacent one.