What is a volar plate avulsion injury?
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. This would result in a small piece of bone from the middle phalanx being avulsed, (pulled off), by the ligament as it is hyperextending. This injury can often involve a collateral ligament tear. Collateral ligaments provide stability from excessive side-to-side motion at the finger joints. What causes a volar plate injury? Volar Plate Avulsion injuries can occur when the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of a finger is hyperextended causing a ligamentous injury. Many of these injuries are frequently seen in athletes, especially ball-handling sports. The collateral ligament injury usually heals without difficulty, although scar tissue formation can occur in the healing
