Mallet Finger Treatment

Understanding Hand Conditions and Available Treatments

Mallet Finger Treatment Near You in Hoover and Birmingham, Serving Central Alabama

Mallet finger is a common sports injury to the tip of the finger. When it happens, patients struggle to use their hands as they did before. The pain and loss of function get in the way of work, chores, hobbies, and much more. Southlake Orthopaedics features a comprehensive team of specialists near you in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, Alabama, who provide treatment for hand and wrist conditions, including mallet finger. They support patients at every stage, from diagnosis through surgery and final rehabilitation.

What Is Mallet Finger?

Mallet finger is an injury to the extensor tendon. The extensor tendons are cord-like bands of tissue that run through the top of the wrist to the distal phalanx, or the bones in the tip of each finger. When a muscle in the hand contracts, the tendons pull on the fingertips like a pulley. This action allows the person to extend or straighten their finger.

Mallet finger occurs when the extensor tendon becomes torn. Most extensor tendon injuries tear through the tendon itself. These can be partial tears, in which some parts of the tendon remain connected, or total tears, where the tendon is completely severed. In some cases, the tendon does not sever but instead pulls away from the bone. When this happens, it may pull part of the bone away with it. This is called an avulsion injury.

What Are Mallet Finger Symptoms?

The primary symptom of mallet finger is an inability to fully extend the affected finger. The fingertip remains permanently bent, taking on a droopy or mallet-like appearance, and will only straighten if the person uses their other hand to manually manipulate it.

In addition to its “stuck” position, the finger is usually painful. It may be swollen, reddened, or bruised, especially if the bone is also broken. Patients should seek medical attention immediately if they notice a cut, detached nail, or blood beneath the nail bed. An open wound is an infection risk that should be addressed as soon as possible to prevent serious complications.

What Are the Causes and Risk Factors of Mallet Finger?

Most cases of mallet finger are caused by a strong blow to the end of the finger. In fact, it is often called “baseball finger” because hard-thrown balls frequently cause this injury. While mallet finger is frequently a sports injury, it is not always caused by athletic activities. Everyday accidents, such as a hard fall, may also result in mallet finger.

Less commonly, mallet finger is caused by a slicing or penetrating injury that cuts through the tendon. This type of mallet finger may also come with damage to the nearby nerves and blood vessels.

Degenerative conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis can increase a person’s risk of mallet finger. These conditions weaken the extensor tendons, making them more vulnerable to rupture. Tendons weakened by arthritis may rupture under even slight pressure, resulting in injuries that appear for seemingly no reason at all.

How Is Mallet Finger Diagnosed?

Mallet finger is typically diagnosed with a physical examination. The doctor examines the finger, looks for signs of swelling, and may ask the patient to try extending it. They may also review the patient’s medical history for contributing factors, such as arthritis or a past injury.

The physical examination may be followed by medical imaging. An X-ray can be used to locate the rupture and determine whether the bone has also broken. This information is crucial for planning the most appropriate treatment for mallet finger.

What Are the Treatment Options for Mallet Finger?

Treatment for mallet finger should begin as soon as possible. If not treated properly, mallet finger can heal incorrectly, causing permanent stiffness and deformity. The correct medical treatment, begun promptly, can prevent these consequences.

Many cases of mallet finger can be treated conservatively. The finger is positioned in a splint to keep it straight until the extensor tendon heals. The splint must be worn for six to eight weeks with careful changes after bathing. The patient may also need routine follow-ups with their physician to make sure the splint does not cause skin irritation.

If there is a large avulsion fragment, if the patient is not willing to wear a splint, or if the mallet finger is chronic (at least several months old), then surgery may be considered. The procedure involves realigning the joint using pins before reconstructing the tendon from donor tissue. Surgery for mallet finger is difficult with a high risk of complications, so it is only recommended when necessary. Hand therapy is used after surgery to restore strength and stability.

Meet Our Team

When seeking treatment for something as delicate as a finger, it is important to choose a provider you can trust. Southlake Orthopaedics provides exceptional hand and wrist treatment for patients across central Alabama. Our high level of care is made possible by our excellent team of physicians:

Michael Blum F., M.D.

Ekkehard Bonatz, M.D., Ph.D.

George Robert Booker, M.D.

Michael T. Ellerbusch, M.D.

Richard L. “Beau” Grantier, M.D

Michael D. Smith, M.D.

Jonathon Whitehead, M.D.

Find Treatment for Mallet Finger Near You in Alabama

The sooner you seek treatment for mallet finger, the more likely you are to avoid permanent deformity. Find less pain, more living today at Southlake Orthopaedics. We are a multi-specialty team that collaborates to provide every level of care for mallet finger, including diagnosis, surgery, and rehabilitation. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an appointment near you in Alabama. We have locations near you in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL.

Mallet Finger Treatment

Understanding Hand Conditions and Available Treatments