Where are volar plates found?
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Where are volar plates found?
In the human hand, palmar or volar plates (also referred to as palmar or volar ligaments) are found in the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and interphalangeal (IP) joints, where they reinforce the joint capsules, enhance joint stability, and limit hyperextension.
What is the volar plate and what does it do?
The volar plate prevents the finger from bending backwards and helps stabilize the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, the middle joint of the finger. Most people consider this type of injury a “jammed” finger.
How long does it take for a volar plate injury to heal?
You have injured a ligament called the volar plate. This takes 4 – 6 weeks to heal, during this time you must wear a splint which allows the injured finger/s to bend but prevents full straightening of the injured joint. The splint must be worn continuously for 4 – 6 weeks, depending on the severity of the injury.
Is there a volar plate at the DIP joint?
Anatomically, the VP of the DIP joint covers the joint and provides the main volar support of the joint, resisting hyperextension. The VP is attached proximally to the subcondylar fossa of the middle phalanx and distally to the base of distal phalanx just deep to the insertion of the FDP.
What is volar plate in finger?
The volar plate is a thick ligament that connects two bones in the finger. There are other ligaments to each side of the joint as well (collateral ligaments). When the finger is bent back too far, one or more of the collateral ligaments can also be torn.
What is a volar plate fracture?
Volar Plate injuries are often referred to as a “jammed finger”. The Volar Plate can be defined as a very thick ligament that prevents hyperextension from occurring. If there is enough force during hyperextension, the disruption may cause a rupture of the Volar Plate at its insertion on the middle phalanx of a finger.
What is volar plate fracture?
A volar plate injury is commonly called a “jammed finger” or “sprain.” This happens when the finger is bent backward too far (hyperextended). It often happens to athletes. The middle joint of the finger is affected.
Is a volar plate injury a fracture?
Volar plate injury can occur with an avulsion fracture, most commonly at the volar base of the middle phalanx (Fig 2)….Table 1.
| Eaton classification of volar plate injuries3 | |
|---|---|
| Type 1 | Avulsion of the volar plate without a fracture or dislocation |
Is a volar plate injury serious?
Most volar plate injuries heal without any problems in about six weeks. You should regain movement quickly with regular exercise (within four weeks). However, it may take several months for your symptoms to settle completely – these can include pain or discomfort, stiffness, decreased strength and swelling.
How do you fix a volar plate injury?
“Buddy taping” is the most common treatment for volar plate avulsion fractures. When the injured finger is taped to another “good” finger, the healthy finger acts like a splint. This ensures that the injured finger is not moved side-to-side or hyperextended. It also helps safely move the joint to prevent stiffness.
How do you test for volar plate injury?
Diagnosis of volar plate injury is based on history and examination. There is tenderness maximally over the volar PIPJ, pain on passive hyperextension of the injured finger, possible PIPJ instability, and loss of pinch power.
