Cedar Valley Hand Surgery

A "mallet finger" describes a condition in which a tendon that extends to the end of one of the fingers is torn completely away. Often a small portion of the bone comes off too, making it a tendon avulsion injury.

Symptoms

Pain at the last finger joint, and inability to straighten the finger. The tip of the injured finger will be permanently bent.

Cause

Forceful impact to the end of the finger that causes it to be driven back toward the hand.

Concerns

If untreated, a mallet finger can become permanently dysfunctional, painful and deformed. A mismanaged tendon avulsion can cause arthritis in later life.

Treatment

Immobilize the finger in a plastic splint that keeps the finger in a fully straightened position. The splint should be worn for eight weeks. The splint must be worn full time. If the splint is removed to clean the finger and splint, the finger must be kept fully straight during the cleaning. A weaning program from the splint is then begun, carried out over the next four weeks.
If a portion of the bone has been torn off [a tendon avulsion injury], the injury is called mallet fracture. Splinting is usually adequate. However, if the joint begins to slip out of place, surgery may be necessary to pin the piece of detached bone in place.