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General Cricket => Cricket Training, Fitness and Injuries => Topic started by: spl on May 27, 2012, 11:34:37 AM

Title: Dislocated finger
Post by: spl on May 27, 2012, 11:34:37 AM
I dislocated my finger diving in the field 5 weeks ago and it still hasn't healed.  It can't be straightened and is tender if there's any contact.

Got it checked out and x-rayed, referred to hand clinic and they ok'd it as swelling went down.  Now its got worse again and is stiffening up.

Has anyone had previous with dislocated fingers and got any recovery times??
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: thedon on May 27, 2012, 08:20:39 PM
I got a dislocated finger at school playing basketball. teachers said it was just swelling. lived with it for 1week then finally went to a&e as it had become unbearable. the doctor couldnt believe i hadnt gone in earlier. it took me about a month to get the movent back. still abit disfigured though
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: Tumo on May 27, 2012, 08:23:06 PM
Dislocated mine, 2 weeks later I was playing. Mine was very dislocated though, something like this! (http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m225/tumo_2006/DSC00309.jpg)

Over a year on, it's still not normal, swollen a bit, if it gets bent really wrongly it still hurts, a dull pain, but otherwise it's all good now.
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: spl on May 27, 2012, 08:29:39 PM
Yer mine was similar to yours Tumo.  Got up and it was in the shape of a Z!  I've got swelling on a couple fingers so that's no problem but I've read they can take a long long time to heal sometimes.
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: mad_abt_cricket on May 28, 2012, 08:07:27 AM
Mine got dislocated recently and it took 3 weeks to heal.
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: tim2000s on May 28, 2012, 08:29:58 AM
For a dislocated finger to recover fully, it's recommended that the finger is kept splinted for around a month. Normally, you get given exercises to do once this has been completed which aim to avoid recover mobility.

When I did it, I was told by the specialist that if there were any problems I should get the splint back on and go back in to see him.
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: Jaymo on June 21, 2012, 05:54:48 PM
I dislocated my little finger in the field stubbed it in the ground. Took 6 weeks before I was back on the park, been 2 years and still cant move it as well as before, and hurts if it gets hit more that the other fingers do. Chances are it will never be 100% again I'm afraid mate.
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: trypewriter on June 22, 2012, 10:17:09 AM
It varies on how serious the dislocation was, and also in respect of any treatment that was given. Probably easier to settle yourself with the recovery time if you think of it as a break rather than a dislocation.
On the minus side, I can tell you, due to experience in my advanced age, that stuff that you recovered quite well from in your (relative) youth will more than likely come back to haunt you in your senior years. As an example, you get arthritis in one finger, swelling etc. and you think to yourself 'why that one?' - then the memory of an original injury many years ago comes to mind.
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: smokem on June 27, 2012, 07:10:10 AM
Similar experience to Jaymo.

I dislocated my thumb in early Feb when I fluffed a return catch which was struck back pretty hard. It was popped back in a couple of hours later in hospital, as no one at the ground was too keen to try (in case there was a fracture)...

It still troubles me. I can't fully flex my thumb down into my palm for example. And it does swell a little at the base of the thumb if I bat with it, which further restricts movement. I'm also not that confident in trying to catch with it.

Basically it's a long process for recovery. In fact I don't expect it to be the same ever again...
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: ajmw89 on July 06, 2012, 01:13:32 PM
When you dislocate any joint, it is imperative that it gets popped back in ASAP (preferrably within a couple of minutes of the original incident) This increases the likelihood that all mobility will be regained, as the ligaments will not have been stretched beyond their natural elasticity for too long.
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: smokem on July 10, 2012, 06:21:23 AM
I agree but you need to be certain there are no fractures. This may seem obvious but not many give it a second thought before popping it back in... In my case, no one wanted to touch it. Even the hospital wanted to see an xray before doing anything. So it was a couple of hours before my thumb got popped back and I guess I'm suffering the consequences of that...
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: ajmw89 on July 10, 2012, 06:37:28 AM
If you know what to look for with a fracture on a dislocated finger, then it is bettef to pop it in. Any serious bruising, large amounts of immediate swelling usually indicate a break, then popping it back is definately not advisable!
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: AdClem on July 17, 2013, 12:05:47 AM
Old thread, but hey.

Nets training this evening, followed by catching practice.  Went for someone else's catch.  Ball landed directly on tip of middle finger.  Yelled; squeezed it; had a quick look.  Badly out of shape.  INSTANTLY pulled it (seemed appropriate as it had been pushed out of shape).  Horrible cracking sound.  Then pushed it, for good measure.  Squeezed it like hell for 10 minutes, followed by ice.  Amazed that I can type with it four hours later.  I've never had a dislocation before, and I'm obviously lucky that nothing was broken, but I now fall into the camp of those who say put it back in quickly.  It's tender and bruised, but I think I might yet play this Saturday.  I think the speed with which I relocated it was critical, and putting it back really didn't hurt at all because I did it so quickly while it was numb from the initial impact.

Just sharing my experience.  If it happens to you, it might be advisable to get it done by a professional.

Of course, I don't know how it's going to feel in the morning.  It does look a bit blue.
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: ajmw89 on July 17, 2013, 08:07:50 AM
Hopefully the blue colour is just from bruising.  Does the finger feel hot or cold?  Silly question, I know, but if it feels cold it may be worth getting checked out in case the blood supply is trapped.
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: WalkingWicket37 on July 17, 2013, 09:09:08 AM
Old thread, but hey.

Nets training this evening, followed by catching practice.  Went for someone else's catch.  Ball landed directly on tip of middle finger.  Yelled; squeezed it; had a quick look.  Badly out of shape.  INSTANTLY pulled it (seemed appropriate as it had been pushed out of shape).  Horrible cracking sound.  Then pushed it, for good measure.  Squeezed it like hell for 10 minutes, followed by ice.  Amazed that I can type with it four hours later.  I've never had a dislocation before, and I'm obviously lucky that nothing was broken, but I now fall into the camp of those who say put it back in quickly.  It's tender and bruised, but I think I might yet play this Saturday.  I think the speed with which I relocated it was critical, and putting it back really didn't hurt at all because I did it so quickly while it was numb from the initial impact.

Just sharing my experience.  If it happens to you, it might be advisable to get it done by a professional.

Of course, I don't know how it's going to feel in the morning.  It does look a bit blue.

I got one on the end of my middle finger on Saturday trying to take the ball quickly to break the stumps for a run out. It wasn't dislocated, but wouldn't shop bleeding from under the nail for about 18 hours. Went for x-rays on Monday as the swelling was still getting worse an it turned out I've shattered the end of my finger  :(
Hope yours heals up okay mate, might be worth going for an x-ray just to be on the safe side
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: AdClem on July 17, 2013, 01:56:23 PM
Post script.

Thanks for your replies.

On advice, I've just been to have it X-rayed.  I was told off for yanking it back in, but also complimented on having made a good job of it.  "Nice dislocation reduction, but we never do that until we've done an X-ray first.  If it had been fractured too, you might have ended up doing a lot more damage.  Rugby players are notorious for making things worse.  The only exception is if the finger has gone white, which means blood's not getting to it.  Then you want to do it quickly"

"Can I play on Saturday?"

Deep sigh..."If you must, but if it gets hit again it'll certainly bring tears to your eyes."

You pays your money, and takes your choice.
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: ajmw89 on July 17, 2013, 02:00:06 PM
Yes, you shouldn't do it until you've had it x rayed, but the longer you leave it, the longer it will take to get back to somewhere approaching normality.

At least you've had it checked out properly though.  Hope it heals quickly
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: jamielsn15 on July 17, 2013, 02:38:42 PM
Got hit on the end of the thumb few years ago, split the bone but not down to the knuckle joint.

A consultant (who was more interested in talking cricket than my thumb) insisted on immobilising it.  When the metal brace was removed, I couldn't move it, due to scar tissue.  The result was I went to a local sports physio who is excellent and she said a) I shouldn't have had it immobilised, as the break didn't cause any lack of movement in the joint and b) I would need (very)painful friction massage to break down the scar tissue.

Cue 3 £40 sessions that brought stars to my eyes - the pain was incredible.

When I did it, I felt the joint moving around, so popped it back in.  A month or so ago I did the middle finger of the same hand.  No dislocation, but it felt as though the bone was broken.  It may have been bad bruising but I haven't treated it (other than check blood flow, range of movement and swelling) and, aside from some slight swelling remaining, everything seems fine.

My advice if it happens to anyone?  Get it X ray, but if it hasn't crossed a joint, don't get it immobilised...
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: ajmw89 on July 17, 2013, 02:42:49 PM
Or, to keep the doc happy, let them immobilise it there then take the strapping off when you get home.
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: billyb on July 31, 2013, 10:43:01 PM
Hi Guys,
Long time since I last posted and it is nice to see the forum looking stronger than ever.
On Saturday I did a diving stop on the boundary where I was running directly behind the ball and had to dive over it to retrieve it just before it hit the rope. I may have stopped the 4, but my finger lodged itself in the ground and I landed on top of my hand, giving a horrible crack and I felt something snap or go. I played on (shelling a sitter), but the pain was immense and Deep Heat/ Paracetamol didn't touch it. I strapped it up, left it, and have sought medical advice.

However, 4 days on and the 2nd joint of my index finger is still very sore to the touch, I don't quite have full movement, though it is better than it was, and to move or even clap, for example, causes considerable pain.
My parents say that I will have pulled a ligament or something, as it is no longer as swollen as it was and therefore can't have broken it.
However, I can feel something moving inside it when I shake my hand (Ouch) and if I press the right side of my finger I get un-natural movement towards my thumb, and I can feel a cracking sensation.

A) What do you think has happened and
B) Should I seek medical advice or just man-up....

Cheers and Kind Regards,
Billy B
Title: Re: Dislocated finger
Post by: tim2000s on August 01, 2013, 07:01:24 AM

A) What do you think has happened and
B) Should I seek medical advice or just man-up....

Cheers and Kind Regards,
Billy B
You should probably have sought medical attention immediately after doing it. It does sound as though something may have broken/snapped, and you could require surgery. Manning up is likely to leave you with restricted use of your index finger...