Interphalangeal Joint Dislocation happens when jamming, hyperextension or a sudden blow to the finger results in it being “put out of joint”—most often at the middle knuckle of the finger.

Common in sports like baseball, basketball and football, dislocation is indicated by severe pain, finger crookedness and pallor that will continue until attended to by a doctor, who will need to relocate the finger into its proper anatomical position before healing can occur.

Splinting or taping, icing and anti-inflammatory medication normally suffice as treatment, followed by occupational therapy.