Volleyball is an exhilarating sport that requires agility, swift reflexes, and excellent coordination. However, like many other sports, it carries its share of injury risks, particularly to the fingers. Whether you are a seasoned player diving for a game-winning spike or a beginner just learning the ropes, finger injuries are common and can sideline you for weeks if not properly addressed.
These injuries can range from minor sprains to severe dislocations, and their impact can be more than just physical, affecting your performance and confidence on the court.
Fortunately, understanding the necessary physiotherapy interventions can significantly aid recovery and prevent these injuries from occurring in the first place.
Common volleyball finger injuries
The most frequent finger injuries in volleyball include:
- Sprains: Occur when ligaments supporting the finger joints are stretched or torn. This often happens from direct impact with the ball (e.g., blocking, setting, digging) or awkward landings. Sprains are graded by severity:
- Grade 1 (mild): Minor stretching of the ligament.
- Grade 2 (moderate): Partial tearing of the ligament, leading to some instability.
- Grade 3 (severe): Complete tear of the ligament, causing significant instability and potentially a dislocation.
- Jammed “Jarred” fingers: A type of sprain where the finger is forcefully hyperextended or compressed, causing the joint capsule or ligaments to be pushed beyond their normal range of motion.
- Finger fractures: Breaks in the finger bones, often caused by direct impact.
- Dislocations: When the bones at a finger joint are forced out of alignment.
- Mallet finger: An injury to the extensor tendon at the tip of the finger, causing it to droop and the inability to straighten it. This often occurs when the fingertip is struck by the ball.
- Trigger finger: While less common as an acute volleyball injury, repetitive gripping or sustained forceful movements can contribute to trigger finger, where a finger gets “stuck” in a bent position due to inflammation of the tendon sheath.
Physiotherapy treatment for finger injuries
Physiotherapy is essential for effective recovery and preventing long-term complications from finger injuries. The approach will vary depending on the specific injury and its severity.
A. Initial management (acute phase)
- RICE protocol
- Rest: Avoid activities that exacerbate pain.
- Ice: Apply cold packs or use cold water immersion for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours to reduce swelling and pain.
- Compression: Gentle compression can help control swelling.
- Elevation: Keep the injured finger elevated above the heart to minimise swelling.
- Immobilisation/splinting
Depending on the severity, the finger may need to be immobilised using buddy taping (taping the injured finger to an adjacent healthy finger) or a custom-made splint. This protects the injured structures and allows for healing. For mallet finger, continuous splinting of the fingertip in extension is crucial.
B. Rehabilitation (sub-acute and chronic phases)
Once initial pain and swelling have subsided, physiotherapy focuses on restoring full function.
- Manual therapy: Hands-on techniques by a physiotherapist to improve joint mobility, reduce stiffness, and address soft tissue restrictions. This may involve gentle stretching and joint mobilisation.
- Range of motion (ROM) exercises: Gradually increasing the finger’s movement. Examples include:
- Finger flexion and extension: Slowly curl fingers into a fist and extend them straight.
- Isolated joint movements: Bending individual finger joints (DIP, PIP, MP) while keeping others straight.
- Tendon glides: Specific hand positions that help the tendons move smoothly within their sheaths.
- Strengthening exercises: Building strength in the hand and finger muscles to improve stability and prevent re-injury. Examples include:
- Grip strengthener: Using a stress ball, rubber ball, or grip strengthening device.
- Rubber band exercises: Placing a rubber band around the fingers and thumb and spreading them apart against resistance.
- Towel squeezes/grabs: Squeezing or scrunching a small towel to work grip strength.
- Object picking: Practising picking up small objects to improve dexterity and fine motor control.
- Proprioception and coordination exercises: Retraining the fingers’ awareness in space, crucial for sports like volleyball.
- Return to sport-specific drills: Gradually reintroducing volleyball-specific movements (e.g., setting, digging, blocking drills) with proper technique.
- Taping techniques: Physiotherapists can teach effective taping methods to provide support and stability to the healing finger, especially when returning to play. Buddy taping is common, and specific techniques can be used for individual fingers or joints.
Final thoughts
Volleyball is a fast-paced and high-impact sport, which places players at significant risk for finger injuries. These injuries can vary from minor sprains to more serious dislocations and fractures.
Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the recovery and prevention of these injuries. A physiotherapist can accurately diagnose the injury, develop a personalised rehabilitation plan, and safely guide you back to playing volleyball.
Book an appointment with one of our experienced physiologists today for a comprehensive assessment and customised treatment plan.
