Mallet Finger

• Mallet Finger Overview
• Mallet Finger Causes
• Mallet Finger Symptoms
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Exams and Tests
• Mallet Finger Treatment
• Self-Care at Home
• Medical Treatment
• Medications
• Surgery
• Next Steps
• Prevention
• Outlook
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Multimedia
• Authors and Editors

Mallet Finger Overview

Commonly an athletic injury, mallet finger occurs when the outermost joint of the finger is injured. Basketball and baseball players routinely experience jammed fingers, but the injury can occur because of a crushing accident on the job or even because of a cut finger while working in the kitchen.

With mallet finger, the tendon on the back of the finger (not the palm side) is separated from the muscles it connects.

Three types of injuries commonly occur:

• The tendon is damaged, but no fractures (bone cracks or breaks) are present.
  
  
• The tendon ruptures with a small fracture caused by the force of the injury.
  
  
• The tendon ruptures with a large fracture.