Mallet finger
Encyclopedia
In medicine
, mallet finger, also baseball finger, dropped finger and (more generally) extensor tendon injury, is an injury of the extensor digitorum tendon of the fingers
at the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP). It results from hyperflexion of the extensor digitorum tendon, and usually occurs when a ball (such as a softball
, basketball
, or volleyball
), while being caught, hits an outstretched finger and jams it (by rupturing or stretching the extensor digitorum tendon).
Treatment options include surgery or putting the finger in a Mallet splint
for 6 to 8 weeks or extension block k-wire
for 4 weeks. The splint allows the tendon to return to normal length, if the finger is bent during these weeks the healing process must start all over again. Surgery is used to reattach the tendon and is usually performed within a week of the injury.
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, mallet finger, also baseball finger, dropped finger and (more generally) extensor tendon injury, is an injury of the extensor digitorum tendon of the fingers
Extensor digitorum muscle
The extensor digitorum muscle is a muscle of the posterior forearm present in humans and other animals...
at the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP). It results from hyperflexion of the extensor digitorum tendon, and usually occurs when a ball (such as a softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, or volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
), while being caught, hits an outstretched finger and jams it (by rupturing or stretching the extensor digitorum tendon).
Treatment options include surgery or putting the finger in a Mallet splint
Splint (medicine)
A splint is a device used for support or immobilization of limbs or of the spine.It can be used:* By the emergency medical services or by volunteer first responders, to immobilize a fractured limb before the transportation; it is then a temporary immobilization;* By allied health professionals such...
for 6 to 8 weeks or extension block k-wire
Kirschner wire
Kirschner wires or K-wires or pins are sterilized, sharpened, smooth stainless steel pins. Introduced in 1909 by Martin Kirschner, the wires are now widely used in orthopaedics and other types of medical and veterinary surgery. They come in different sizes and are used to hold bone fragments...
for 4 weeks. The splint allows the tendon to return to normal length, if the finger is bent during these weeks the healing process must start all over again. Surgery is used to reattach the tendon and is usually performed within a week of the injury.
External links
- Mallet Finger - eMedicine.com
- Mallet Finger - edoctor.co.in