Volar plate injury

Fact Checked

It is important to note that the volar plate is a dense ligament that connects two bones in the finger. An injury to the volar plate occurs once the finger is bent back in the wrong way excessively, thus tearing or spraining the ligament. This injury can occur during vehicular accidents or in cases when the hand is outstretched during a fall.

What are the symptoms of volar plate injury?

The symptoms of volar plate injury tends to occur right after the finger is bent in a backward manner and includes severe pain in the damaged finger that is situated specifically over the middle finger joint.

Swelling can develop abruptly and the finger has a deformed appearance. If the individual attempts to move the finger, it will trigger pain and bruising particularly on the palm side of the middle finger joint.

If an individual is suspected with this type of injury, it is recommended to schedule a visit to a doctor so that thorough assessment can be carried out and start the appropriate treatment option.

Close look on volar plate injury

When it comes to volar plate injury, it typically occurs due to a hyperextension force in which the finger is overly straightened out and bent backwards the wrong way. This is oftentimes called as a jammed finger. The usual cause of this injury is engaging in ball sports where the ball forces the fingers backwards. This can occur when an individual is directly struck by a ball in an attempt to catch it or prevent an impact.

The volar plate is the ligament that separates the joint space of the proximal interphalangeal joint and flexor tendons. It is important to note that this injury can involve the ligament or can be an avulsion fracture in which the ligament pulls out a small fragment of bone at its attachment point. In addition, this can also involve damage to the collateral ligament which is called a finger sprain.

Treatment of volar plate injury

If an individual is suspected with a volar plate injury, the doctor will request an X-ray in order to determine if there is an avulsion fracture or if the damage only involves the soft tissues. If only the soft tissues are damage, conservative measures can be started.

In case the injury only involves the ligament, it requires immobilization using a finger splint that the individual should wear up to a week in order to promote the healing process. After this period, gentle range of motion exercises can be started in order to prevent stiffening from developing. In most cases, finger buddy taping must be used in between the exercises until pain is not triggered to facilitate healing and protect the finger. In case a fracture is present, it would require surgical fixation using pins or wires before immobilization is started.