21 Jul Common basketball finger injuries
Basketball finger injuries are all too common. If you have played basketball, whether it be at a professional or competitive level, a backyard shoot around or a leisurely game of pick up amongst friends – you have more than likely dealt with or seen a jammed, sprained, dislocated or fractured finger at some stage.
Let’s set the scene to really appreciate the work our fingers put in during a game of basketball! You are going up for a rebound, dribbling down the court on a fast break, going for a steal or making that shot on the siren – think about the action of your fingers. Now consider, you miscalculate reaching out to catch or tip the ball and your finger gets a direct hit – ball VS finger. Ouch! Immediate pain, potential swelling and reduced mobility. Hmmm, Is this something serious? Or can I shake it off and play on? Great questions – let’s break down the subject of basketball finger injuries.
What should I do right away?
Time to call a sub, and check that finger!
Basketball finger injuries – what do I look for?
1. Is the finger in place?
- Compare your injured finger to that of the other hand? Are there any obvious signs of joints being out of alignment?
2. Is there a fracture?
- X-rays are required to confirm proper diagnosis of a fracture.
- To test for a potential fracture you should: Check for any immediate bruising and/or swelling and have a firm feel along the finger, if there is a particular area (particularly around the joints) that is more tender than others, if so – caution should be taken.
3. Is there any ligament damage?
- Ligaments are the structures that hold our joints in place, it is very common that they are impacted with ball sports.
- If a ligament is damaged, the finger will be able to hyperextend at specific joints – this is particularly obvious when compared to the unaffected hand/fingers. Testing ligaments must be done very carefully.
In most cases, there will be no evident or obvious deformity or substantial swelling. In this case, the finger can be taped if needed and if you can move properly with limited pain you can get back out there. It is still very important that caution is exercised!
If there is an evident deformity, swelling or pain – you should first ice the finger to address swelling, apply compression and buddy tape the finger to a neighbouring finger. Sit the rest of the game out, this will hopefully save you in the long run!
Proper finger taping is crucial for healing and to avoid other injuries. Always tape the outside fingers together. Never tape the middle 2 fingers together as this leaves the index and small fingers outlying susceptible to other injuries. It is best to consult your hand therapist to be sure taping is appropriate for your injury.
Post game management:
- Seek x-rays and/or an ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any potential fractures or ligament injuries.
- Book an appointment with one of our hand specialists at Melbourne Hand Rehab as soon as possible to commence your rehabilitation and pathway back onto the court!
Your hand therapy practitioner will create a treatment plan that is specific to your injury and lifestyle.
Some of the most common basketball finger injuries:
Mallet finger
- What is it: Mallet finger is an injury to the tendon that straightens the end joint of the finger or thumb. As a result of the injury, the person affected is unable to actively straighten their finger/thumb at the end joint.
- Mode of injury: In basketball this often occurs when the ball strikes the tip of an extended finger or thumb (e.g. in rebounding contest) and forces it to bend forcefully and further than it is intended to go.
- Treatment: Your hand therapist will assess the finger and make you a thermoplastic ‘cap splint’ that will hold your finger in the correct position for healing. They will then provide you with education about your injury and how best to manage it. In rare cases, surgery may be required.
- More info on Mallet finger treatment: HERE
An example of a custom made mallet finger cap splint
Volar plate injury
- What is it: The volar plate is a thick ligament that connects two bones in the finger. Any injury that causes hyperextension (backward bending) can result in a stretch and tear of the volar plate. In some cases this hyperextension can pull off a piece of bone, this is then known as an avulsion fracture.
- Mode of injury: In basketball this often occurs when the ball or even another player strikes the finger and forces it to bend back too far.
- Treatment: Your hand therapist will assess the finger and make you a thermoplastic ‘dorsal blocking splint’ that will hold your finger in the correct position for healing. They will then provide you with education about your injury and how best to manage it.
Custom made splints used to hold your injured finger in the correct position for healing.
Central slip extensor tendon injury
- What is it: The central slip is a section of the extensor tendon in the finger, which is responsible for straightening the middle joint of your finger (PIPJ). Any injury that hyperflexion (forceful bending of the middle joint) can result in a stretch and tear of the central slip extensor tendon.
- Mode of injury: In basketball this often occurs when the finger is traumatically forced into a bend (hyperflexion) e.g. blunt trauma of ball vs finger.
- Treatment: Your hand therapist will assess the finger and make you a thermoplastic splint that will hold your finger in the correct position for healing. They will then provide you with education about your injury and how best to manage it.
A custom made hand based ulnar gutter splint may be used during healing of a finger fracture.
Finger fractures
- What is it: Finger fractures in basketball players can range from simple hairline features of the phalangeal shaft to more complex joint avulsion fractures involving ligaments and tendons.
- Treatment: Your hand therapist will assess the finger and make you a thermoplastic splint that will hold your finger in the correct position for healing. They will then provide you with education about your injury and how best to manage it.
If you’ve incurred a basketball finger injury come and see your local Melbourne Hand Rehab hand therapist. We’d love to help you.
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For more information, call us directly on 03 9458 5166
To make it easy for you to remember how to care for your fingers and wrist whilst on the field or court, here is a First Aid for Finger Injuries card that you can download for easy reference.
