Mallet finger Information for patients The Sheffield Hand Centre
What is mallet finger? You have an injury known as mallet finger. This is when your finger can bend down at the end joint and cannot be straightened. This injury can be caused by damage to the tendon that normally allows you to straighten the tip of your finger. Figure 1 page 2 of 8
Sometimes a small fragment of bone may be pulled off where the tendon should attach to bone at the end of your finger. This also causes the finger tip to bend. Figure 2 What are the symptoms of mallet finger? Pain Swelling Inability to straighten the finger tip What causes a mallet finger? The usual cause is an injury to the end of the finger, often due to a hard knock to the end of the finger such as when trying to catch a fast, hard ball. This can force the end of the finger to bend (flex) further than normal and tear the tendon or pull off a small piece of bone. What is the treatment for mallet finger? A splint will be put on to keep the finger in a straight position at the end joint. Several types of splint can be used, depending partly on the size and shape of your finger. The splint is worn continuously for six to eight weeks. The length of time will depend which type of injury you have. page 3 of 8
The splint should be worn both day and night to allow the two ends of the torn tendon or bone to heal together. The splint should only be removed for cleaning and this should be done very carefully see page 5 for instructions. If the finger is allowed to bend during this time this injury will not heal and you will be unable to straighten your finger fully. When the splint is on you will not be able to move your finger tip, however you should be able to bend the next joint down. If you find that the splint starts to feel loose or is no longer holding your finger straight please make an appointment to have the splint adjusted or changed. After six to eight weeks you may be advised to continue with the splint at night and whenever the finger might be at risk of injury. It is very important at this stage not to force the finger into bending; this movement will improve over the next few weeks. At this point you will be provided with some gentle exercises to regain the movement in your finger. page 4 of 8
How to keep your finger and splint clean The injured finger must be kept clean. It the skin becomes wet under the splint it can become sore. It may be easier for someone to help you remove the splint and clean your finger. 1. Keeping the finger flat on the table cut any tape around the splint. 2. Slide the splint off carefully whilst supporting the fingertip and keeping it straight and flat on the table. 3. Clean your finger and splint but ensure the finger is kept straight while the splint is off. 4. Slide the splint back into position once your finger is clean and dry. 5. Be very careful not to bend your finger tip. 6. Depending on the splint type, you may not need to perform this every day; your therapist will advise you regarding this. Will I have a follow-up appointment? Once the splint is removed you will be seen by a hand therapist to check your splint is comfortable and to exercise your finger. After this if you suddenly notice that the fingertip will not straighten again it is important that you contact the Hand Centre. page 5 of 8
Is there anything I need to look out for? Redness, swelling and tenderness of the skin around the end of the finger are common for 3 or 4 months after injury, but settle down in time. Most mallet injuries treated by splinting will heal but your finger may not completely straighten. It may take several months to start moving well. You may have a small bump around the finger joint. Your finger may not bend fully. These problems are to be expected. Occasionally the injury does not repair and a further period of splinting may be needed or an operation might be necessary. Who do I contact if I have concerns? If you are concerned about your condition, or if you need any further information, please contact the Sheffield Hand Centre for reassessment. We can be contacted as follows: The Sheffield Hand Centre 0114 305 2364 Monday to Friday: 7.00am - 8.00pm Saturday: 7.00am - 3.00pm Therapy Department 0114 271 5799 If you have any problems more than 3 months after your injury, please contact your GP. They can give you advice or refer you back to the Sheffield Hand Centre. page 6 of 8
page 7 of 8
Produced with support from Sheffield Hospitals Charity Working together we can help local patients feel even better To donate visit www.sheffieldhospitalscharity.org.uk Registered Charity No 1169762 Alternative formats can be available on request. Please email: alternativeformats@sth.nhs.uk Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 2017 Re-use of all or any part of this document is governed by copyright and the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 SI 2005 No.1515. Information on re-use can be obtained from the Information Governance Department, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. Email infogov@sth.nhs.uk PD8010-PIL3359 v4 Issue Date: November 2017. Review Date: November 2019