Volar Plate Injuries in Texas Workers’ Compensation Claims
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Volar Plate Injuries in Texas Workers’ Compensation Claims
Volar plate injuries are common in Texas workers’ compensation claims — especially in construction, warehousing, manufacturing, oilfield work, transportation, and any job requiring gripping, lifting, pushing, pulling, or tool use. The volar plate is a thick ligament‑like structure that prevents the finger from bending backward (hyperextension). When injured, workers often experience pain, swelling, instability, and difficulty performing essential job tasks.
Insurance carriers frequently dispute volar plate injuries, calling them “minor,” “degenerative,” or “not work‑related.” This post explains how volar plate injuries occur, how they’re diagnosed, what treatment is available, and how injured workers can protect their claims.
What Is a Volar Plate Injury?
The volar plate is a strong fibrocartilage structure located on the palm side of the PIP joint (middle joint of the finger). It prevents hyperextension and stabilizes the joint during gripping and lifting.
A volar plate injury occurs when the structure is:
- Stretched
- Partially torn
- Completely torn
- Avulsed (pulled off the bone)
These injuries often occur with:
See Finger Dislocations.
Common Work Related Causes of Volar Plate Injuries
Volar plate injuries are strongly associated with:
- Falls onto the hand
- Sudden pulling injuries
- Machinery accidents
- Crush injuries
- Heavy lifting
- Repetitive gripping
- Tool vibration
- Direct blows
- Twisting injuries
- Working in tight or confined spaces
These mechanisms are fully consistent with compensable injuries under Texas workers’ compensation.
Types of Volar Plate Injuries
Below are the most common volar plate injuries
1. Volar Plate Sprain
Stretching of the volar plate without tearing. See Hand Sprains.
2. Partial Volar Plate Tear
Some fibers are torn; joint may be unstable.
3. Complete Volar Plate Tear
Full rupture; often associated with dislocation.
4. Volar Plate Avulsion Fracture
A piece of bone is pulled off with the volar plate. See Avulsion Fractures.
5. Fracture Dislocation with Volar Plate Injury
High‑severity injury requiring advanced treatment. See Hand & Finger Fractures.
Symptoms of Volar Plate Injuries
Workers often report:
- Pain at the PIP joint
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Difficulty bending or straightening the finger
- Clicking or popping
- Joint instability
- Weak grip strength
- Finger deformity
- Loss of range of motion
Symptoms may appear immediately after trauma or worsen over time.
Diagnosis of Volar Plate Injuries
Diagnosis may include:
- Physical Examination Pain with hyperextension Joint instability Tenderness over volar plate
- X‑ray Rules out fractures or avulsion injuries.
- Ultrasound Excellent for identifying partial or complete tears.
- MRI Useful for complex or disputed cases.
Accurate diagnosis is essential for proving causation and securing treatment.
Medical Treatment for Volar Plate Injuries
Workers may be entitled to:
– Conservative Care (for mild sprains or partial tears) Splinting (often in slight flexion) Buddy taping Anti‑inflammatory medications Activity modification Hand therapy
– Injections Corticosteroid injections (for inflammation)
– Surgery For moderate to severe injuries:
- Volar plate repair
- Volar plate reconstruction
- Joint stabilization
- Fixation for avulsion fractures
- Repair of associated ligament tears
– Post‑Operative Rehabilitation Hand therapy Range‑of‑motion work Strengthening
– Work Hardening
– Functional Restoration Programs
Recovery Timeline
Typical recovery:
- Mild sprains: 2–4 weeks
- Partial tears: 4–8 weeks
- Complete tears: 8–12 weeks
- Post‑surgical recovery: 3–6 months
Workers performing heavy labor may require extended restrictions.
Complications of Volar Plate Injuries
If untreated or undertreated, volar plate injuries can lead to:
- Chronic pain
- Joint instability
- Grip weakness
- Finger deformity
- Tendon imbalance
- Post‑traumatic arthritis
- Permanent impairment
These complications often increase impairment ratings.
Impairment Ratings for Volar Plate Injuries
Impairment ratings may be based on:
- Loss of finger motion
- Grip strength deficits
- Instability
- Surgical outcomes
- Chronic pain
- Functional limitations
Volar plate injuries frequently result in measurable impairment.
Why Insurance Companies Dispute Volar Plate Injuries
Carriers often argue:
- The injury is “degenerative”
- Symptoms are “intermittent”
- The mechanism was “insufficient”
- The worker had prior hand pain
- Nerve symptoms are “unrelated”
- The condition is “not work‑related”
These disputes can be challenged through:
See Aggravation Injuries.
How MLF Legal Proves Volar Plate Injuries Are Work Related
We assist clients by:
- Proving the injury is traumatic, not degenerative
- Linking the volar plate tear to workplace mechanisms
- Securing ultrasound, MRI, and specialist evaluations
- Fighting for surgery or therapy
- Preparing workers for designated doctor exams
- Challenging low impairment ratings
- Winning disputes at BRCs and CCHs
Volar plate injury claims are winnable — but only with the right evidence and strategy.
The Bottom Line
Volar plate injuries are serious finger injuries that often require splinting, therapy, or surgery. If you suffered a volar plate injury at work, you need a lawyer who understands the medical issues, the legal standards, and the strategies necessary to win your case.
Call MLF Legal Today!
If you suffered a volar plate injury at work, call the Texas Workers’ Compensation Lawyers at MLF Legal today.
📞 214‑357‑1782
We fight for injured workers — not insurance companies.
FAQs: Volar Plate Injuries in Texas Workers’ Compensation Claims
Yes. They are compensable if caused or aggravated by work activities.
Moderate to severe tears often require repair or reconstruction.
Ultrasound, MRI, X‑ray, and physical exam.
You can challenge the denial through extent‑of‑injury litigation.chanism of injury (how the accident happened)
- The forces generated by the accident (axial load, rotation, shear, traction, compression)
- The timing of your symptoms
- Objective physical exam findings
- Diagnostic imaging (MRI, CT, X‑ray, EMG)
- Any pre‑existing conditions
- Relevant medical literature
Yes. Loss of motion, weakness, and surgical outcomes often result in measurable impairment.
Injured at work in Texas and your employer doesn’t have workers’ comp?
You may have the right to sue and recover full compensation.
Contact MLF Legal today for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
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