Finger injuries are common, especially from sports or everyday accidents. Many are simple sprains—but in rare cases, the injury can be more serious and require surgical treatment.
A recent study featuring Dr. David Kirschenbaum highlights a rare condition called a Stener-like lesion, which can affect finger stability and healing.
What is a Stener-like lesion?
A Stener-like lesion happens when a ligament in the finger tears and becomes trapped, preventing it from healing properly.
Normally, ligaments can heal on their own. But in this case, nearby tissue blocks the ligament from returning to its normal position—making healing without surgery very difficult.
How does this injury happen?
These injuries usually occur from forceful bending or twisting of the finger, such as:
- Sports injuries
- Falls
- Direct impact to the hand
They most often affect the ring and little fingers and involve important stabilizing ligaments in the main finger joint (the MCP joint).
What are the symptoms?
Because this injury can look like a simple sprain, it’s easy to overlook. However, patients may notice:
- Pain and swelling around the joint
- Bruising
- Weakness or instability in the finger
- Difficulty moving or straightening the finger
Doctors often find joint looseness (instability) during an exam, which is a key sign that the injury may be more serious.
Why diagnosis can be tricky
This condition is rare, which means it’s not always recognized right away.
A careful physical exam is essential, but imaging may also be needed, such as:
- X-rays (to check for fractures)
- MRI (to evaluate soft tissue injuries)
- Ultrasound (a quick, non-invasive way to assess ligaments)
Imaging is often used to confirm the diagnosis and better understand the injury.
Why surgery is usually needed
Unlike many ligament injuries, Stener-like lesions typically do not heal on their own.
Because the torn ligament is physically blocked, surgery is needed to:
- Move the ligament back into place
- Repair and reattach it
- Restore joint stability
What is recovery like?
After surgery, most patients:
- Wear a splint or brace for a few weeks
- Gradually begin motion exercises
- Regain near-normal finger movement
The good news is that most patients recover well, with little pain and good function after treatment.
Why early treatment matters
If left untreated, this injury can lead to:
- Chronic instability
- Pain
- Loss of motion
- Arthritis over time
That’s why early evaluation by a specialist is important if symptoms persist after a finger injury.
Dr. Kirschenbaum contributed to this research to improve recognition and treatment of these rare but important injuries, helping patients achieve better outcomes.