How Hand Doctors Treat Mallet Finger
A “mallet finger” results from injury to the tendon that straightens the tip of the finger – typically as a result of the finger being jammed, or forcibly bent quickly. In addition to pain and swelling, the tip of the finger remains in a bent position and the patient is not able to straighten it. There may also be bruising after this type of finger injury.
In this article, top Clarkston, MI area hand doctor Uzma Rehman, MD discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatments of mallet finger.
What Causes Mallet Finger?
Most hand doctors see several baseball players who have experienced mallet finger when a ball forcefully hits the end of the finger. Jammed fingers also occur in many other sports, however banging the tip of the finger while doing everyday tasks is not uncommon. When the forceful bending of a finger causes a tear in the tendon (or a small piece of bone can breaks off along the tendon) mallet finger can occur.
Mallet Finger Statistics
A 2011 study published in the Journal of Hand Surgery cites a mallet finger incidence rate of 5.6% among all hand and wrist tendinous lesions. This study indicated that individuals between 10-50 years old are most commonly affected – with a slightly higher prevalence in males compared to females.
StatPearls, a leader in medical publishing, statistics and medical information and resources, states that mallet finger accounts for roughly 9.3% of all tendon and ligament lesions in the body. And The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) echoes the trend of higher prevalence in children and young adults.
Who is at Risk for Mallet Finger
Engaging in sports like basketball, volleyball, or baseball, where fingers get exposed to sudden impacts, significantly increases risk of mallet finger. And jobs involving repetitive hand movements or heavy lifting can put fingers at increased risk of injury.
Falling on outstretched hands or blunt-force trauma to the fingertips are also common accidents that cause mallet finger. Additionally, individuals with pre-existing conditions like diabetes or arthritis might be more susceptible to tendon injuries.
How Hand Doctors Treat Mallet Finger
Hand doctors typically treat mallet finger injury with a small finger splint that keeps the tip of the finger straight. Keeping the tip of the finger straight – sometimes for as long as eight weeks allows the tendon to heal.
Short-term use of over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol), may also help ease the discomfort.
If the finger injury involves a large enough piece of broken bone, your hand doctor may recommend surgery. Surgical repair of mallet finger injury can also include insertion of a temporary pin or a small screw to keep the finger straight. A protective finger splint will be provided buy your hand doctor to be worn after surgery as well.
If the tip of the finger is kept straight either using a splint or through surgical pinning, it is important to continue to move the middle joint of the injured finger.
Your hand doctor will typically have their certified hand physical therapist work with you on safe exercises, to slowly gain motion back, and ensure that the fingertip doesn’t begin to “droop” again.
Top Wrist & Hand Doctor Clarkston, MI Area
If you are experiencing hand, wrist or finger problems – including pain, numbness, stiffness or tingling, contact Clarkston board certified hand surgeon Doctor Rehman, for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. As with most medical conditions, early detection, awareness, and a prevention or treatment plan is the most effective way to combat the effects of medical conditions including mallet finger.
