A dislocation is when the bones in a joint slip out of their normal position. A finger dislocation may happen from a fall, blow, or sports injury, especially if the finger is bent back or jammed. More to Know A dislocated finger is usually diagnosed through an X-ray. The bones may move back into place on their own or a doctor might gently put the joint back with a quick maneuver called a reduction. In some cases, surgery is needed to repair the joint To keep the joint from dislocating again, a splint is put on the injured finger or the injured finger is taped to the neighboring finger ("buddy taping"). Depending on the injury, the splint or buddy taping will remain for a few days to a few weeks. Gentle hand exercises might be recommended to help strengthen the finger and reduce joint stiffness. Keep in Mind With proper treatment, most people who dislocate a finger can gradually return to their normal activities. The finger may feel sore or stiff for a while. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles Sports Medicine Center Get tips on everything from finding the best sport for your kids to preventing and handling injuries. Read More Household Safety: Preventing Injuries From Falling, Climbing, and Grabbing Here's how to help protect kids from a dangerous fall or a tumble into a sharp edge in your home. Read More A to Z: Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis (SCFE) In slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE), the very top of the thighbone (called the femoral head) slips out of line with the rest of the thighbone, causing a weakened hip joint. Read More Sports and Exercise Safety Playing hard doesn't have to mean getting hurt. The best way to ensure a long and injury-free athletic career is to play it safe from the start. Find out how. Read More Dealing With Sports Injuries You practiced hard and made sure you wore protective gear, but you still got hurt. Read this article to find out how to take care of sports injuries - and how to avoid getting them. Read More First Aid: Dislocations A dislocation happens when two connected bones are separated. These injuries require emergency medical care to avoid further damage. Read More X-Ray Exam: Finger Doctors may order a finger X-ray to find the cause of symptoms such as pain, tenderness, or swelling, or to detect broken bones or dislocated joints. Read More A to Z: Radial Head Subluxation Nursemaid's elbow is a partial dislocation of the elbow joint that happens when a ligament slips out of place near the elbow. Read More A to Z: Contusion (Bruise), Finger Learn more about contusions (bruises) of the finger. Read More Preventing Children's Sports Injuries Participation in sports can teach kids sportsmanship and discipline. But sports also carry the potential for injury. Here's how to protect your kids. Read More Bones, Muscles, and Joints Without bones, muscles, and joints, we couldn't stand, walk, run, or even sit. The musculoskeletal system supports our bodies, protects our organs from injury, and enables movement. Read More Your Bones Where would you be without your bones? Learn more about the skeletal system in this article for kids. Read More Casts This article for teens has tips on taking care of a cast so it keeps working as it should. Read More Nursemaid's Elbow Young kids are at risk for a common injury known as nursemaid's elbow, which is easy for a doctor to fix. To help prevent it, never swing or lift a child by the lower arm, hands, or wrists. Read More Bones, Muscles, and Joints Our bones, muscles, and joints form our musculoskeletal system and enable us to do everyday physical activities. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.