What is a hyperextension injury?
A hyperextension injury can affect any joint but is more often experienced at the wrist and particularly the fingers. This is due to the comparatively long yet delicate structures of the fingers, with their multiple points of articulation and heavy use in daily activities and sports participation.
In the case of fingers, hyperextension injuries occur when excessive force is applied to the finger causing a forced overstretch, beyond its fully extended position. The connective ligament and cartilage tissues holding the joint in its normal position can be damaged in the form of sprains or tears. In extreme cases hyperextension injuries create enough joint instability that there is a high risk of finger dislocation.
What causes a hyperextension injury?
A hyperextension injury can happen to anyone during an awkward fall onto outstretched fingers. However, this type of injury is most commonly seen during sports participation where there is frequent impacts with other players or pieces of equipment, such as catching a ball. In particular, the throwing and catching of the large, heavy and hard balls used in basketball or netball puts players at greater risk.
The ligaments that are most often damaged in a hyperextension injury are designed to be stiff, so that they keep the joint stable and only allow movement in the desired directions. Unfortunately this means that when they are exposed to forces above their tensile strength they cannot stretch and are instead damaged. A ligament injury can cause instability within the joint that may lead to greater damage if left untreated. Our experienced physiotherapists at Liverpool Physio can assess the ligament injury and address your specific issues with targeted treatments.
What are the symptoms of a hyperextension injury?
The symptoms of hyperextension injury will vary depending on the severity of the over stretch and the damage it caused. An individual's level of joint flexibility will also affect the amount of tissue damage experienced. Some common symptoms of hyperextension injury includ:
- Pain localised to the site of injury, with sudden onset at the time of injury.
- Audible snapping or popping noise as connective tissue gives way.
- Stiffness, particularly in the morning or after long periods of inactivity.
- Swelling, usually rapid and obvious where the ligaments pass over bony surfaces.
- Redness, sometimes leading onto bruising discolouration depending on severity of sprain.
- Tenderness when the area over the affected ligament is pressed.
- Altered sensation or numbness if a nerve has been impinged or damaged.
- Loss of sensation in the affected finger.
- Tingling or pins and needles sensation in the affected finger.
- Altered sensation, such as heat or cold sensitivity in the affected finger.
- Referred pain to other fingers, the hand and up the arm along the affected nerve.
What does diagnosis of a hyperextension injury involve?
If you have an accident and suspect you have fractured your finger you should seek medical assistance immediately. The doctor will take a brief subjective history to establish how the fracture occurred and then perform a thorough physical examination to rule out other possible injuries. X-ray or MRI will be used to confirm diagnosis and severity of the fracture.
For further information about how Physiotherapy can help treat finger fractures, or to book yourself an appointment, please email office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or ring us on 0151 558 0077.
What would a physiotherapy assessment for a broken finger involve?
A full assessment by a physiotherapist or doctor can confirm a diagnosis of hyperextension injury. A discussion on how the injury occurred will be followed by a thorough physical examination. As the symptoms for hyperextension injury are similar to other common conditions an X-ray is often used to confirm diagnosis. Depending on the severity of your injury the affected fingers may be taped together or put in a brace to stabilise them during their initial phase of healing.
For more information about physiotherapy for a hyperextension injury, or to book an appointment please email office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or call 0151 558 0077.
What would Physiotherapy assessment for hyperextension injury involve?
In your first appointment at Liverpool Physio, your assessment would be divided into the following two sections:
Subjective
A discussion to find out how your injury has occurred, if you have had any previous injuries in this area, what symptoms you are experiencing and how your condition is affecting you and your lifestyle.
Objective
A physical assessment of your range of pain, tenderness in the area, range of movement and a series of special tests to identify exactly which structures are likely to be affected.
What would Physiotherapy treatment for hyperextension injury involve?
Seeking physiotherapy treatment early after diagnosis will greatly improve the speed and overall quality of your recovery. The experienced physiotherapists at Liverpool Physio will personalise your treatment plan to relieve pain and regain functional ability, so you can confidently return to everyday activities and sports participation. Physiotherapy treatment for hyperextension injury may consist of:
- Heat therapies, including wax baths or ice packs. To reduce pain / swelling.
- Soft tissue massage to relieve pain, disperse swelling and reduce scar tissue.
- Ultrasound to promote soft tissue healing.
- Advice on the use of splints or taping to stabilise and protect the joint.
- Advice on activity modification during recovery and to avoid re-injury.
- Passive and active flexibility exercises to maintain / improve range of movement.
- Strengthening exercises to improve joint stability.
- Dexterity exercises to improve functional strength and mobility.
- Exercise program for gradual return to normal daily activity or sports participation.
At every treatment session our focus will be to return you to the best functional ability in the quickest possible time. So that you can return to a pain free independent life and the activities you enjoy most. If you would like more information on physiotherapy treatment of hyperextension injury, or to book yourself an appointment, please email office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or ring us on 0151 558 0077.
How can I arrange a physiotherapy assessment for a hyperextension injury?
If you are experiencing pain, aching, stiffness and show signs of inflammation in one of your finger joints, you may have a hyperextension injury and would benefit from an assessment form one of our experienced physiotherapists.
You can contact us directly to arrange an assessment and we can advise you if further treatment is recommended, or give you details on self-management for minor cases. To arrange an appointment please email office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or call 0151 558 0077.
Summary
Hyperextension injuries can affect anyone, resulting from sports participation, workplace accidents or even normal daily activities. Such injuries can be very uncomfortable and after long periods of immobility, they can become stiff, painful and feel weak. Our experienced physiotherapist here at Liverpool Physio can use various treatments to relieve pain and stiffness whilst regaining strength and flexibility. They will tailor a personalised treatment plan so you can confidently perform functional daily tasks and gradually return to sports activities. Whatever the severity of your hyperextension injury, our physiotherapists have the skills and knowledge to help you achieve the best possible recovery.
For further information about how Physiotherapy can help treat hyperextension injury, or to book yourself an appointment, please email office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or ring us on0151 558 0077.
↑ Back to top
