How often does mallet finger require surgery?

Mallet finger injuries are usually treated without surgery, unless the injury is chronic. Even if you don’t have much pain and your hand still works, it’s best to get treatment as soon as possible. But even delayed treatment with splinting can be successful .

Is it too late to fix my mallet finger?

When the injury is new, we may recommend that the DIP joint be splinted nonstop in full extension for six to eight weeks. A mallet finger that is up to three months old may require splinting in full extension for eight to 12 weeks.

How do you know if your mallet finger needs surgery?

Surgery may be considered when a mallet finger injury has a large bone fragment or the joint is not properly aligned. In these cases, wires or small screws are used to realign the joint (see Figure 4). Surgery may also be considered if wearing a splint is difficult or was not previously successful.

Does a mallet finger ever straighten?

Mallet finger is an injury to the end of your finger that causes it to bend inwards towards your palm. You will not be able to straighten the end of your finger because the tendon connecting the muscle to the finger bone is stretched or torn.

What is the best splint for mallet finger?

There are many splints on the market, but I have found the best way is an aluminum splint to keep the tip joint straight. Specifically, the tip of the finger should be kept straight but to allow free PIP and MP motions.

Is mallet finger a disability?

It is obvious that if treatment is carried out late, one or two weeks after injury, or the aforementioned position of the finger is inadequately maintained, the injured tendon generally heals with paratenon in a lengthened manner, resulting in some degree of loss of function, or permanent mallet finger disability.

How can I speed up my mallet finger recovery?

Wearing a splint on your finger to keep it straight is the most common treatment for mallet finger. You may need to wear a splint for different lengths of time. If your tendon is only stretched, not torn, it should heal in 4 to 6 weeks if you wear a splint all the time.

Can finger tendons repair themselves?

Like a rubber band, tendons are under tension as they connect the muscle to the bone. If a tendon is torn or cut, the ends of the tendon will pull far apart, making it impossible for the tendon to heal on its own. Because the nerves to the fingers are also very close to the tendons, a cut may damage them, as well.

Can I take my finger splint off to shower?

Tape a sheet of plastic to cover your splint when you take a shower or bath, unless your doctor said you can take it off while bathing. If you can take the splint off when you bathe, pat the area dry after bathing and put the splint back on. If your splint gets a little wet, you can dry it with a hair dryer.

What is the fastest way to heal a mallet finger?

What are the treatment guidelines for mallet finger?

Most mallet finger injuries can be managed non-surgically, but occasionally surgery is recommended for either an acute or a chronic mallet finger or for salvage of failed prior treatment. This paper will review the current treatment guidelines for the surgical and non-surgical management of mallet finger. Fig. 1

How long do you wear a splint for a mallet finger?

There are many different types of splints/casts for mallet fingers. The goal is to keep the fingertip straight until the tendon heals. Most of the time, a splint will be worn at all times for about eight weeks (see Figure 3). Over the next three to four weeks, the splint can be worn only during sleep and less frequently during the day.

What can I expect after a mallet finger surgery?

Once the mallet finger has healed, your surgeon or hand therapist will teach you exercises to regain motion at the fingertip. Many patients will have a very slight droop and may notice a small bump at the back of the finger after treatment. This normally does not cause any problems with performing normal activity.

How do you fix a mallet finger with a cast?

A tongue depressor or a clean popsicle stick can be taped to the finger to keep it straight. There are many different types of splints/casts for mallet fingers. The goal is to keep the fingertip straight until the tendon heals. Most of the time, a splint will be worn at all times for about eight weeks (see Figure 3).