What is it?
Mallet finger refers to a condition in which the end joint of a finger bends but will not straighten by itself. The joint can be pushed straight but will not hold that position on its own.
What caused it?
Mallet fingers can happen from a cut or jamming the finger, and sometimes there is a little fracture, called an avulsion. It can happen from something as simple as scrubbing the floor or grabbing an object!
What can you do to help?
Don’t just ignore it, or assume that it will straighten out on its own. This is unlikely, and the longer the finger stays bent, the harder it will be to fix.
Most mallet fingers can be treated by a therapist, who can provide a comfortable splint to straighten the finger, and exercises later on if stiffness is the problem. A good splint is important, because proper treatment involves wearing the splint continuously for a long time. Equally important is a graded weaning program once the tendon is healed, in order to prevent reoccurrence of the lag.
1 Comment
Carmen Gassi
I am looking for a finger splint to help with a mallet finger on my pinky. I have used them before but can't seem to find one in any of the local pharmacies. Can you tell me of a location, other than the hospital where I might acquire one? Thanks.