Partially dislocated finger, is this normal?

[toban]

A few days ago I partially dislocated my little finger left hand, middle joint. I could see that the bone was sticking upwards and wiggled my finger and felt it click back in. As time progressed my finger became more swollen, bruised, painful. I headed to a walk in clinic that specializes in broken bones, cuts etc. They took xrays, no broken bones. The doctor said I likely had a partial dislocation. They put a splint on and I go back in 10 days. I understand there will be swelling, bruising etc. The swelling is intense and the splint is really tight. He told me I could remove the splint while showering etc, reapply it. Last night my swelling was really bad and I had to take it off and apply ice to the area. The bruising has spread into my hand. I have been taking Advil (anti-inflammatory) maximum dose. I also have noticed some numbness in my little finger, not severe, but its there. Is this normal after a dislocation? Any other tips to help? Thanks!

[toban]

Thanks! I took the splint off, elevated, iced the area. A silly thing happened. I had the splint off while taking a shower and reached for the 1 litre shampoo bottle with both hands, it hit my little finger and it popped back out again. I wiggled it a bit, popped back in. I headed back to the same walk in clinic, took xrays, no fractures, said to wear the splint for another 10 days. I go back tomorrow to have it checked.

I have had many problems with this finger in the past. It has been cracked twice for sure, dislocated three times, and at least another 5 times injured without being checked. I hope it heals well, but if I continue to have the bone slipping out of place, what can be done? I have gone for some physio, exercising at home, but not much has changed. Could the liagments or tendons be stretched or torn from too many injuries? Thank you for your help!

[sarkinot]

Sometimes an x-ray cannot pick up a fracture right away.  A follow up x-ray may be required.  I would follow up w/ another doctor to make sure that the swelling is normal.  Definitely keep the splint off for periods of time so that you can ice and elevate the hand.