Joe A Shaw PA-C - 4/26/2012

Question

anterior view   Hi!
I broke my finger when I was 6 while I was roller skating. I fell, tried to catch myself, failed, and my left ring finger swelled up immediately. As well as I can recall my dad thought it was just jammed and we didn't tape it or set it in any way. Now I am 25 and my poor finger has been bent now at the middle (or second) knuckle making it look like a permanent Vulcan sign on my left hand(star trek). When I straighten it it is also very hyper-extended. My question is that I really do not want to have to wear any kind of ring on this finger for the rest of my life. I have always wanted it fixed I just didn't know if this was a possibility. Would surgery be the only option?

Answer
Stefanie,
Yes surgery would be only thing that MAY help, you most likely tore/ruptured your collateral ligament of the PIP joint(middle knuckle)and or possibly split your flexor tendon(palm side of finger) which may cause the hyper extension from your extensor tendon(on top of finger) Your finger has 2 tendons basically one on top and one on bottom of finger they pull to flex and the other one pulls to extend..so if one is stretched or split,the other tendon is un-opposed and can cause it to hyperextend.Find a hand surgeon in your town.