What is a volar plate avulsion?
As the volar plate is stretched and torn, it may also pull off a small piece of bone. This can result in a fracture (break). This is also called an avulsion fracture.
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.
How is volar plate injury diagnosed?
How is a volar plate injury diagnosed? In addition to a complete medical history and physical exam, your doctor may order an X-ray to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions, such as a fracture.
Is the volar plate ligament?
The volar plate is a small piece of ligament on the palm side of the middle joint (phalanx) on your finger. This structure helps to support the middle joint of your finger and prevents it being able to over straighten or dislocate.
What is a avulsion?
An avulsion fracture occurs when a small chunk of bone attached to a tendon or ligament gets pulled away from the main part of the bone. The hip, elbow and ankle are the most common locations for avulsion fractures in the young athlete.
What kind of injury is an avulsion?
An avulsion fracture happens when a ligament or tendon pulls part of your bone off. This usually happens as the result of a traumatic injury. Avulsion fractures commonly occur in the hip, elbow, and ankle in young people who play sports.
How long does it take for an avulsion fracture of the finger to heal?
You might need to wear a cast or splint for a few weeks. Fractures usually take about three to 12 weeks to heal completely.
Do thumbs have volar plates?
Centrally the thumb’s interphalangeal volar plate also becomes thinner and is loosely anchored to the periosteum of the proximal phalanx. Schematic drawing of the volar plate (VP) at the thumb interphalangeal joint. The flexor pollicus longus tendon (FPL) is reflected distally.