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June 18, 2013
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Mallet Finger (cont.)

Medical Author:
Sachin J Shah, MD
Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Mallet Finger Causes

Mallet finger occurs when the outermost joint of the finger is injured. 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.

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Mallet Finger - Causes

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

What was the cause of your mallet finger?

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Mallet Finger »

Loss of extensor tendon continuity at the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) causes the joint to rest in an abnormally flexed position.

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