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May 21, 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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Medical Treatment

  • If the finger is not broken or cut, or if only a small fracture is present, the doctor will apply a splint to the end of the finger so it remains in the extended position. With a splint, the outermost joint on the injured finger is not bendable, but the rest of the finger is bendable. This splint needs to be worn for at least 6 weeks, perhaps longer, to ensure that the tendon is given the best chance of healing.
  • The doctor will repair any cuts or damage to the skin. And, if necessary, the tendon may be stitched (sutured) to repair it.
  • For pain relief, apply ice to the joint.

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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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