What is the treatment for PIP joint fracture?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 21-year-old female. Last week, I was playing basketball and ended up jamming my finger. The next day, I went to the ER, and they took X-rays and said I had a possible PIP joint fracture around my volar plate. They said I had to go back in 10 days for more X-rays. Since then, the swelling has gone down, but my joint is bruised. It hurts to bend it, tender to touch, and when I did accidentally bend it, it felt like a grinding sensation in it. Do you think I ruptured my volar plate and had an avulsion fracture? I am just worried. What would they do to treat it? I go back in tomorrow morning for the X-rays. Can you please help soothe my mind? They did splint it.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

If the fracture (assuming it was there) was not seen on the first X-ray, then it is likely to be very small. Also, it indirectly means that there was no dislocation. I do not think in this circumstance that there will be any surgery indicated unless the joint is highly unstable or there is a movement block. The plan will most likely be to treat the finger in a splint till pain and swelling settle, then mobilization as pain allows with an intermittent splint. Ice and elevation should be continued, and no content sport for the next six weeks.

Thank you.