Mallet Finger – Baseball Finger
What is mallet finger, and what are the recommended treatment options for this debilitating condition?
Mallet finger is typically caused by an injury to the tendons of the fingers. These tendons connect the bones with the muscles, enabling finger movement. There are two sets of tendons, the flexors and the extensors, both of which are found on the fingertips.
The extensors are the tendons on the top of the fingers. These are the ones responsible for the lifting of the fingers. The flexors, found on the underside of the finger, are responsible for the flexion movement of the finger. When working together correctly, these two tendons create a muscle balance so that the fingers work in harmony. Suppose, however, that an extensor tendon injury occurs. This would create an imbalance between these two forces, reducing the ability to lift the finger and resulting in the phenomenon known as dropped finger.
How is mallet finger best diagnosed? An x-ray is always recommended to determine if a bone injury may have occurred due to the tendon being pulled out of its insertion site with the bone. Initial mallet finger treatment usually requires the patient to wear a mallet finger splint, typically for up to six weeks. This splint is made from plastic shaped into a secure sleeve, covering the tip of the finger to its last joint and secured in place with tape. After the splint is removed, stiffness in the fingers may remain: this is usually treated with physiotherapy until normal, pain-free movement is restored.
Doctors are divided on recommending mallet finger surgery at this time, because documentation shows that the procedure may not be effective in all cases. Reviewing your symptoms and medical history with your physician is key to determining whether you are a good candidate for surgical treatment.
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