Tendon Injury – Central Slip Injury

Hand

Symptoms

If you’ve had a knock on your finger and it starts to swell, becomes sore, or becomes difficult to straighten the middle joint of the injured finger you may have a Central Slip Injury.  The injury and swelling may not happen at the exact time of injury, and will often gradually get worse in the following days and sometimes weeks. One of the key signs you may have a Central Slip Inury is when the back of the middle joint on the injured finger becomes tender to touch.

How it occurs

Central slip injuries are caused when the middle knuckle of the finger (proximal interphalangeal joint) is forcibly bent forwards. The joint may pop out of place but doesn’t normally stay dislocated or look out of place later on. This often happens when the finger punches something, is hit by a ball, or is knocked forcefully.

Treatment

if you have a central slip injury (Boutonierre Deformity) it will need to be splinted in order for it to heal correctly. the splint till hold the injured finger in place for up to 6 weeks. Once the tendon injury is healed, it may be stiff and need to be stretched and strengthened. The team at Action Rehab will assess your injury and make sure you are supported back to the best mobility possible.

Meet Ben

Our senior therapist

Ben Cunningham is currently the Hand Therapist at the AFL club The Melbourne Demons and the director of Action Rehab. Ben has over 20 years of experience providing hand and upper limb therapy, including working in the United Kingdom at the Queen Victoria Hospital and as the senior clinician at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

Book a senior therapist consultation

Ben, our senior therapist, will offer advice on any management strategies you may need. Please note, if you request ongoing care, you will only have to pay our current rates. We do not charge Worksafe and TAC clients for any consultations.

Call 1300 76227to book an appointment or Click Here to book.

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