Overstretched finger
What is an overstretched finger?
An overstretched finger is the stretching of the finger ligaments or the joint capsule beyond their natural extent. The human finger joints are stabilized by numerous ligaments, the synovial fluid is held in the joint by the joint capsule. Injuries during sports or accidents that involve rapid and jerky movements can stretch the ligaments beyond their elastic limit, causing severe pain and swelling of the fingers.
causes
The most common causes of overstretching the finger joints are unnatural loads or sports with jerky, uncontrolled movements, especially in team and ball sports such as volleyball or handball. Overstretching is usually preceded by an external force acting on the fingers, for example when a ball hits the fingertips.
Acute overstretching without a previous injury is unlikely. However, it can also occur in the context of accidents or injuries to other structures of the hand.
These symptoms indicate an overstretched finger
The typical symptoms of an overstretched finger include severe, stabbing pain in the finger, swelling and, in rare cases, a bruise. In addition, it can lead to a loss of strength and restricted mobility in the fingers. With an overstretched finger without a crack, the stability of the joint is not impaired, so that there is no loss of function in the finger joints.
The fingers can thus be moved normally, but this is usually accompanied by severe pain. Sometimes surrounding structures are also damaged during the injury, which can lead to cracks in the cartilage, for example. If the joint is injured, synovial fluid can leak into the surrounding tissue and swelling of the fingers can occur. This can also lead to further restrictions on movement.
You may also be interested in the following article: Swollen fingers
Pain
Pain is a very typical and common symptom of an overstretched finger.As a rule, they are locally limited to the fingers up to a maximum of the wrist and usually only occur when the finger is moved. Patients usually report no pain at rest. They are often described as pulling. The intensity of the pain depends on the degree of overstretching and the individual pain sensation of the patient.
diagnosis
The examination of the finger should be done by an orthopedic surgeon or trauma surgeon. He or she will take a medical history and physical examination to establish a diagnosis. As part of this, he will examine the finger for possible swellings, bruises, restricted mobility and other injuries. Above all, he must distinguish the diagnosis of an overstretched finger from other possible capsule and tendon injuries. He may conduct special functional tests for this.
If the physical examination is not sufficient, he can resort to technical procedures. For this purpose, ultrasound, an MRI or X-ray are available. With an X-ray, possible bone fractures can be detected or excluded.
How does an overstretched finger differ from a torn capsule on the finger?
In contrast to an overstretched finger, the joint capsule of the finger is damaged when the capsule ruptures. The joint capsule holds the fluid in the joint. If this capsule is ruptured, it will cause severe, stabbing pain and swelling of the finger due to fluid leaking from the capsule. The difference to overstretching is that when the capsule ruptures, small blood vessels are often injured and this can lead to bleeding into the joint.
The rupture of the capsule also leads to instability in the joint, which is often undetected on the fingers.
If it is still unclear whether there is an overstretching or a tear, an X-ray or MRI should be made for further diagnosis.
For more information, read our article: Capsule tear on the finger
Treatment of an overstretched finger
If an overstretched finger occurs in the course of an accident or injury, the first important measure is immediate immobilization, elevation and cooling. By cooling the finger, for example with an ice pack, swelling can be prevented. The activity carried out should be interrupted immediately. A pressure bandage can also be applied, which also counteracts swelling through strong compression.
For acute treatment of a ligament stretch, one can refer to the PECH rule hold: P = pause, E = ice, C = compression, H = sit up. By using these acute measures, the swelling and thus the pain can be reduced.
In the case of severe pain, taking pain reliever medication can also be helpful. Physiotherapy can be used to speed up the recovery time. This can influence healing through targeted movements and prevent movement restrictions.
Do you have specific thumb pain?
- This article might also interest you: Overstretched thumb
Taping the finger
Another measure in the treatment of an overstretched finger is taping the finger, for example using Kinesio tape. It is a popular method for muscle, ligament and bone injuries and provides additional stability in the finger. The tape should be placed in the course of the finger straps. This reduces the tensile forces on the joint and relieves the ligaments.
This can be helpful in the healing process of a ligament stretch. Wearing a tape can also help prevent injury.
Read more on the subject below: Taping your fingers - how does it work?
Healing time
Overstretching in the area of the finger usually heals within a few days without complications. However, until the pain is completely free and the swelling has subsided, you should refrain from exercising and then slowly approach your movement again.
If pain and mobility restrictions persist over a longer period of time, a doctor should be consulted to rule out other diseases.
forecast
A ligament or capsule stretch usually heals without complications. However, pre-damaged ligaments are more likely to overstretch. Multiple overstretching also increases the risk of more serious injuries, such as a capsular tear or osteoarthritis. In rare cases, overstretching can lead to permanent restrictions on movement.
