What splint do you use for mallet finger?

What splint do you use 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.

How do you test for mallet finger?

During the examination, your doctor will hold the affected finger and ask you to straighten it on your own. This is called the mallet finger test. During a mallet finger test, your doctor determines whether you can straighten your fingertip without assistance.

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 long does it take to recover from mallet finger surgery?

It should take 6 to 8 weeks for your finger to heal, after which time you’ll be able to use it again. You may be advised to continue to only wear the splint at night for up to 4 more weeks. In some cases, you may only need to see a specialist once, as a hand physiotherapist may be able to take over your care.

What is the fastest way to heal a mallet finger?

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.

What is the fastest way to heal mallet finger?

To treat the pain and swelling of a mallet finger immediately:

1. Apply ice.
2. Elevate your hand so that your fingers are above your heart.
3. Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

How can I speed up my mallet finger recovery?

What are the two options for treatment of mallet finger?

There are two options to treat mallet fingers: non-operative and operative. Non-operative treatment involves wearing a small splint holding the end of the finger completely straight. These splints are worn continuously for eight weeks to allow the tendon to heal.

What happens if you leave a mallet finger untreated?

If a mallet finger is left untreated, your finger can become stiff. Or the finger may develop a swan neck deformity, where the joint bends the wrong way. A mallet finger in children involves an additional concern. The injury may affect the cartilage in the finger that controls bone growth.

How do I know if mallet finger has healed properly?

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.

How do you rehab a mallet finger?

Common rehab exercises for a Mallet Finger injury include: Hold for 5-10 seconds. Repeat 10 times. Object pick-up: Practice picking up small objects such as coins, buttons or marbles with the injured fingers and your thumb. Repeat 10 times.

How long do finger tendons take to heal?

The repaired tendon will usually be back to full strength after about 12 weeks, but it can take up to 6 months to regain the full range of movement. Some people may never be able to move the affected finger or thumb as much as before it was damaged.

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.

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).

How long should a mallet finger be in a splint?

There are several types of splints used to treat mallet finger, many of them fabricated by hand therapists. Reproduced from Culver JE Jr: Office management of athletic injuries of the hand and wrist. Instr Course Lect 1989;38:473-482. To restore function to the finger, the splint must be worn full time for 8 weeks.

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).