Finger sprain exercises - PIP Joints

Finger sprains are very common, leading to swelling of the fingers around the joint. This video explains some of the ways to treat injuries to the PIP joints (the middle joints of the fingers).
These are common climbing injuries and from falls.
The number of sets and reps of each exercise is dependent upon the stage of healing and degree of injury.
If you want consultation on the specifics of your injury, schedule a virtual consult here:
movemend.as.me/
#fingerinjury #climbing #sprains #handtherapy

[@rombsix]

I have the habit of popping / cracking my index finger DIP and PIP. I think I did that a bit too forcefully (I do it by pulling/pushing the finger at each joint by going side to side) ten days ago, and now my PIP is swollen slightly on the medial side. I have some point tenderness in that area that resolves after I push on it a couple of times (then becomes reproducible again after a minute of not pushing on it), but I definitely feel the finger is a bit boggy and slightly painful on range of motion. I'm thinking I just sprained it, but the main concern is for an avulsion fracture. If this were the latter, do you think it would be very obvious (i.e. much more significant pain, much more edema)? Just trying to figure out if I should go get imaging, or just ice, NSAIDs, compression, exercises, and we're good to go. I'm a guitarist, so it would really suck to lose range of motion in my index finger. Thanks for your help! :)

[@KristinGerber]

Thank you for this! How many reps for each would you recommend?

[@drkhan9997]

If just the DIP of index finger IS PAINFUL .due to pressure injury by vipering floor.eg .i cant open a jam bottle its giving me pain or lift a heavy water jug.wat do u recommend

[@MovemendInfo]

Inquire about specific suggestions at this channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZm7g6Vqea2GppYsi=Z9bF7f7-OiN9KJBt

[@Troystoy]

Yes I jammed my middle finger on the end 2 weeks ago I have full strength closing finger - hand , but the tip will not bend back full strait when opened , no pain at all, I’m using finger splint and hoping it recovers soon , thanks for the video , and suggestions on anything different I need to do to help get middle finger tip to heal better ? Thanks

[@MovemendInfo]

Look up "mallet finger" and see if that looks like your situation.

[@citizenindia248]

Sir , have the same symptoms mentioned , injury since 2 months... Swelling not going down From India🇮🇳

[@jellybaguio1419]

Thankyou. It's very helpful

[@MovemendInfo]

Glad it was helpful! What else should we address in our next video?

[@thestrictlynoparking]

Any guidance on exercises for a thumb with a sprain?

[@MovemendInfo]

I would suggest you connect via this channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZm7g6Vqea2GppYsi=Z9bF7f7-OiN9KJBt

[@erikson5871]

Thanks Dude left hand injury progress !

[@doubleknaveryVII]

Hi mate - thanks for the informative video. My middle right finger is still somewhat swollen after 3 months (basketball jamming injury, I didn't rehab it properly and went back to bouldering too soon to boot). I occasionally get sharp pain when using it for everyday activities (from lateral motion, only on one side). I am torn between pure rest and active recovery at this point. Can you lend any advice?

[@MovemendInfo]

Tough call. Sharp pain is a red flag that there's still tissue that may not be able to tolerate full loading. Without assessing overall stability and the details of your discomfort and stability, I can't give you a solid direction to go. Generally speaking, I'm not a "pure rest" kind of guy, but there are a lot of details that need to be considered when moving forward.

[@kimberlyharing8535]

3 weeks ago I hit my finger sideways on a metal bar and I heard a snap, it was very painful at the time but then was just sore. There hasn’t been swelling or bruising but on top of my dip joint when I bend it it is a sharp pain on top of my finger. I did go for X-rays to be sure to rule out fracture. I have been splinting for 3 weeks but I really have no idea how I should be treating this injury. Should I not bend it at all until completely healed? If so how do I know when it’s healed. Splinting it obviously makes my finger very stiff and I fear if I’m not doing this right I may lose range of motion. This is on my pointer finger DIP joint and my fine motor skills are at stake. Any help would be very much appreciated

[@jaydenoffdaperc]

I carried heavy plastics and l hurt my point fingers on both hands. It looked like they dislocated from the knuckles . I can bend my finger on the front but cant bend from the second bone to the knuckle area. l cant stretch the thumb and the pointing finger if feels tight that l cant stretch out may hand to hold a ug cup. l accidently fell on my left hand and the point finger snaped and it got fixed but my right hand still hasn't healed. What can l do to pop it back, its slightly bend downwards.

[@LeonTheLion98]

Ive dislocated and fractured the PIP joint is the hospital said I need to take part of my bone from my wrist and put it in my finger is that necessary or is they anyhthing else i can do ?

[@nolasfamily3913]

Can I do these exercises day 3 after a sprain? I have mobility but there is minor pain. Thanks

[@freshdonkey1760]

Good video, thank you.

[@karennicole3647]

Is it bad for me to crack my knuckle that i have the PIP inflammation on ?

[@jahbip]

I had a pinky finger injury some years ago and to this day the middle of my pinky finger is swollen a lil, sometimes my finger has pain and it makes half of my hand feel numb a lil whenever i make a fist. what’s that about? should i get it checked out?

[@MovemendInfo]

That may be worth getting looked at since it's it's an old injury that's still causing some issues.

[@cynthiakrauszer]

Thanks! That helped me! I strained my middle finger last night.

[@IcePult]

Is it normal to feel mild spikes of pain after doing these stretches for a couple minutes?

[@GodtookAcidd]

I've been getting a sharp pain on my Right (index finger) dip joint. It all happened when i was pushing a dumbbell above my chest. Pain has been here for about 3 weeks still. Do you think maybe it could be a fracture or arthritis?

[@healthspandigest]

That sounds like an unusual way to cause an injury. Joint pain could be arthritis related, but unless you crushed the tip of your finger I wouldn't suspect a fracture.

[@Darealtwcism]

Great video! Thank you. How many times of day and how many days of the week would you recommend doing these exercises? Also, what are your thoughts on heat and/or ice with the exercises?

[@MovemendInfo]

My lame answer is..."it depends". Every injury and response to exercise is different, but generally speaking if it's not red hot with inflammation I'd start with ~5 reps of each exercise 2-3x/day. From there you can adjust up or down depending upon how the finger feels. Doing this 6-7 days a week should be tolerable. Unless you just injured your finger yesterday, ice and heat is up to the individual (most will like ice after exercise).

[@WendyCarrey]

Thank you! Wendy Carrey👑💯🐇💯

[@drinkswithsplendour4387]

Thanks for this video, can this be done after 10 years of the injury? The joint is still swollen, no pain or discomfort just swollen

[@MovemendInfo]

If it's been a painful problem for 10 years I'd say it's become something more than a sprain. The tissue around the joint may have become thickened due to repeated injuries, which could give it a sense of stiffness.

[@hakan_yavuz]

I also suffered from an finger joint injury apporximately 6 years ago.. is it normal that my finger joint is still swollen and little thickier then before the injury.. i do not have any pain or range of motion limitations.. i even have hyperextension after injury.. should i go to the doctor?

[@MovemendInfo]

Good question. It's not uncommon for a finger joint to remain thicker after an injury. If you have full motion, no pain, no weakness, and no instability, I'm not so sure that seeing an MD will do you any good. Your career as a hand model may be compromised, but otherwise, you should be good to go.

[@hakan_yavuz]

@@MovemendInfo i see, thank you.. what is actually the cause of the swelling and thickening?.. is it the edema inside of the joint or is it because of scar tissue build up after the injury?

[@IcePult]

Thank you for this video!

[@jamesbond-cx2uh]

My pip joint is red, and it doesn't subside. No loss of mobility. What could this be

[@MovemendInfo]

Could be an infection.

[@kylamould2513]

If I use the 3M Co-band, when do you do the exercises? I see below in another comment, you don’t wear the Co-band while doing the exercises, but you also said to leave the Co-band on 24/7. Thanks looking forward to trying these ideas. I had a basketball jam my finger a couple weeks ago and I still have swelling (rings won’t fit) and still a bit of pain. Been buddy taping with breaks with no tape.

[@MovemendInfo]

You may want to wear 24/7 with the exception of doing exercises and hygiene.

[@kylamould2513]

Thank you. I will try that. My finger is still painful with some movements and is still swollen.

[@LanzHD]

Why theres no videos of PIP joint on foot?!?

[@idiots30]

You don't need toes.

[@MovemendInfo]

I'm a Certified Hand Therapist. All I know about feet is that you should have 2 of them.

[@nancyheisel4665]

Super helpful. Do you wear the coban during the exercises?

[@MovemendInfo]

Ideally no. The coban adds resistance when it's not needed. Try it and let me know how it goes.

[@kylamould2513]

Good question, I wrote a similar question above.