Do you require any assistance? Simply reserve your appointment online below
Mallet finger(Baseball finger)
Specialist in Orthopedic care
Mallet finger is a deformity of the finger caused when the tendon that straightens your finger (the extensor tendon) is damaged.
When a ball or other object strikes the tip of the finger or thumb and forcibly bends it, the force tears the tendon that straightens the finger.
The force of the blow may even pull away a piece of bone along with the tendon . The tip of the finger or thumb no longer straightens.
This condition is sometimes referred to as baseball finger.
Signs and symptoms of the mallet finger (baseball fingure)
In a mallet finger, the fingertip droops: it cannot straighten on its own power. The finger may be painful, swollen and bruised, especially if there is an associated fracture, but often the only finding is the inability to straighten the tip. Occasionally, blood collects beneath the nail. The nail can even become detached from beneath the skin fold at the base of the nail.
Pain, tenderness, and swelling at the outermost joint immediately after the injury
Swelling and redness soon after the injury
Inability to completely extend the finger while still being able to move it with help
Occasionally, blood collects beneath the nail. The nail can even become detached from beneath the skin fold at the base of the nail.
Anatomy of the mallet finger (baseball finger)
The terminal extensor tendon is a thin, flat structure measuring approximately 1 mm thick and 4-5 mm wide. This tendon occupies the sparse space between the bone and dorsal skin and inserts onto the dorsal lip of the distal phalanx, well proximal to the germinal nail matrix. At the DIP joint, the tendon’s excursion is only several millimeters from full joint extension to 80° of flexion.
As its name implies, the terminal extensor tendon is the terminal extension of the dorsal mechanism, which is a complex crossing of fibers at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. Powered by the lumbrical and interosseous muscles, the dorsal mechanism flexes the MCP joint and extends the PIP and DIP joints.
Diagnosing Mallet finger
X-rays help the doctor know if the bone has a crack or break. Imaging studies may also help the doctor see any foreign debris in the cut.
The diagnosis is evident by the appearance of the finger. Doctors will often order x-rays. X-rays help the doctor know if the bone has a crack or break X rays also help to see if a piece of bone is pulled away and to make sure the joint is aligned.
Treatment of Mallet finger (Baseball finger)
Splints.Most mallet finger injuries are treated with splinting. A splint holds the fingertip straight until it heals.
There are several types of splints used to treat mallet finger, many of them fabricated by hand therapists. To restore function to the finger, the splint must be worn full time for 8 weeks.
For some patients, the splinting regimen is very difficult. In these cases, the doctor may decide to insert a temporary pin across the fingertip joint to hold it straight for 8 weeks.
Because wearing a splint for a long period of time can irritate the skin, your doctor may talk with you about how to carefully check your skin for problems. Your doctor may also schedule additional visits over the course of the 8 weeks to monitor your progress.
When removing the splint for cleaning and drying, the fingertip must stay in extension.
For 3 to 4 weeks after the initial splinting period, you will gradually wear the splint less frequently — perhaps only at night. Splinting treatment usually results in both acceptable function and appearance, however, many patients may not regain full fingertip extension.
You are in Great Hands
Surgical treatment of Mallet finger
Surgical repair may be considered when mallet finger injuries have large bone fragments or joint malalignment. In these cases, pins, wires or even small screws are used to secure the bone fragment and realign the joint .
Surgery may also be considered if splint wear is not feasible or if non-surgical treatment is not successful in restoring adequate finger extension. Surgical treatment of the damaged tendon can include tightening the stretched tendon tissue, using tendon grafts or even fusing the joint straight. Your surgeon will advise you on the best technique in your situation.
Self-Care at Home
- Apply ice to the injured finger joint to reduce swelling and tenderness. Wrap ice in a towel; do not apply ice directly to skin. A bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel conforms nicely to the hand.
- Take care not to injure the finger even more.
- If a cut is also present, clean the cut under running water for a few minutes, then wrap the finger with clean gauze or a cloth. Apply a moderate amount of pressure to help stop any bleeding.