What causes mallet finger?
Mallet finger frequently occurs following sports or occupational injuries. Sudden, acute, forceful flexion at the end of the of the finger ruptures the extensor tendon. The ruptured tendon can include a small flake of bone, or a large corner of the bone which can extend into the joint. Patients complain of a “jamming” injury, such as occurs in a basketball or baseball game. The injury can be minor enough that patients may not notice any problems for several days or weeks. Mallet fingers can occur following a sharp laceration. For example, accidentally cutting the top of the finger approximately 1 inch below the base of the nail will disrupt the extensor tendon, resulting in a mallet deformity. Treatment There are two options to treat mallet fingers: non-operative and operative. Non-operative treatment involves wearing a small splint holding the end of the finger completely straight. These splints are worn continuously for eight weeks to allow the tendon to heal. The splints can be remo
