Volar Plate Injury

The volar plate is a thick ligament located underneath the middle and end joints of the fingers which connects each of the bones on either side of each joint. A volar plate injury occurs when a finger joint is hyperextended (bent too far backwards), which places an increased force on the volar plate and results in a sprain or tearing of the ligament. Volar plate injuries present with pain, swelling and immobility of the joint in question.