Mallet finger
The extensor tendons run across the back of the hand and allow you to straighten (extend) your fingers and thumb. Mallet finger is the result of an injury to the tendon that extends your fingertip. It is usually caused by something striking and forcibly bending the tip of the finger, such as a ball. Therefore, mallet finger is also sometimes called ‘baseball finger’.
The injury causes the extensor tendon to tear or rupture where it attaches to the bone, and results in the person being unable to straighten their fingertip. In some cases, the tendon may also pull off a small piece of bone when it tears (called an ‘avulsion fracture’).
How do I know if I have a mallet finger injury?
The injury usually causes pain, swelling and tenderness over the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint (the joint closest to the tip of your finger), and the fingertip may noticeably droop (said to look like a mallet).
Most cases of mallet finger are ‘closed injuries’, which means that the skin is intact.
A small number are ‘open injuries’, that is, the skin has been broken (e.g. a laceration). If the skin is broken, it is important to see a doctor straight away, in case you have an underlying fracture (compound fracture).
What is the treatment for mallet finger?
Firstly, your doctor will examine you and organise an X-ray to see if there is a fracture.
The treatment of most mallet finger injuries is splinting to hold the fingertip straight. The splint allows the torn ends of the tendon to come together so they can heal.
Usually, the splint will need to be worn constantly for at least 6 to 8 weeks. After this time, your doctor will assess whether the fingertip is straight, and what further splinting may be required.
Surgery is usually required if there is a compound fracture or a fracture involving a significant amount of the joint surface, or if treatment with splinting fails.
Last Reviewed: 24 November 2006
