Table of Contents
- 1 How can I fix my mallet finger at home?
- 2 What is the best mallet finger splint?
- 3 How do you get a mallet finger?
- 4 Does mallet finger ever straighten?
- 5 Can mallet finger be fixed after years?
- 6 What does mallet finger look like?
- 7 How do I know when mallet finger is healed?
- 8 What is a mallet finger?
- 9 How do you fix a mallet finger with a cast?
- 10 When is surgery indicated in the treatment of mallet finger injuries?
How can I fix my mallet finger at home?
Mallet Finger Self-Care at Home
- If the finger is cut, clean the cut under running water for a few minutes. Then wrap the finger with clean gauze or a clean cloth.
- Apply ice to the injured finger joint to reduce swelling and tenderness. Wrap ice in a towel.
- Take care not to injure the finger even more.
What is the best mallet finger splint?
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.
How do you fix a mallet finger without surgery?
Mallet finger injuries are usually treated without surgery, unless the injury is chronic….To treat the pain and swelling of a mallet finger immediately:
- Apply ice.
- Elevate your hand so that your fingers are above your heart.
- Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
How do you get a mallet finger?
In a mallet injury, when an object hits the tip of the finger or thumb, the force of the blow tears the extensor tendon. Occasionally, a minor force such as tucking in a bed sheet will cause a mallet finger.
Does 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. Credit: Your finger will also be painful and swollen.
How much does it cost to fix mallet finger?
How Much Does a Hand/Finger Tendon Repair Cost? On MDsave, the cost of a Hand/Finger Tendon Repair ranges from $1,888 to $9,110.
Can mallet finger be fixed after years?
Probably not. Most of the time, a mallet finger can be fixed by using an orthosis (or splint) that holds it straight for a several weeks; however, sometimes it can be more serious, which is why it is a good idea to have it professionally evaluated.
What does mallet finger look like?
If you have mallet finger, you’re unable to straighten your finger, it droops at the tip, is painful and looks bruised and/or swollen. Mallet finger is an injury that frequently occurs in sports such as baseball, basketball or football when you try to catch a hard ball and it hits your extended fingertip.
Can a mallet finger be straightened?
How do I know when mallet finger is healed?
When it is time for your splint to come off, your provider will examine how well your finger has healed. Swelling in your finger when you are no longer wearing the splint may be a sign that the tendon has not healed yet. You may need another x-ray of your finger.
What is a mallet finger?
A mallet finger is a deformity of the finger. It occurs when the tendon that straightens the finger (the extensor tendon) is damaged at the fingertip. This can commonly happen when an object (like a ball) strikes the tip of the finger or thumb. It can also happen when forceful bending of the fingertip occurs.
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.
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).
When is surgery indicated in the treatment of mallet finger injuries?
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).