Can't Lift Your Fingertip ? - Mallet Finger - Part 1
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- Is your fingertip drooping down and you can't lift it up ?
Then you may have a Mallet Finger
In this 2 part series, Flex.Physio director, Ian Dowley, takes you through everything you need to know about Mallet Finger Injuries
Topics Include:
What is a Mallet Finger ?
How do these injuries occur ?
Surgery/Treatment options
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Website - www.flex.physio/ 
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Having a mallet finger, I've been making my own splint and have to keep trying another one. I wish I had one of your splints!
Thank you very much for the video
You are very welcome!
Thank you very much for the video. I was moving the car keys around in my pocket and that's how I tore the tendon.
Hi Jay
I have heard many, many stories of how people got their mallet finger injuries, but that is a new one for me!
Hope the finger recovers really well.
- Ian
What is the splint time in a situation where the tendon is simply stretched and not detached?
please help! is it possible to fix a mallet finger with a spling after I got since I got it?
Can a mallet finger be treated years after the injury? I also had this injury happen to my big toe and can no longer curl it.
Hi Renato, In theory it might be possible for a mallet finger injury to heal years after the initial injury, but the odds of a good outcome become smaller and smaller over time. I have had good results using splints 6-9 months after the injury, but would be hesitant to recommend it if years have passed. Most people with long-term mallet deformities get quite used to it, and it is probably not worth losing 8 weeks of finger function for a very tiny chance of success.
I am not going to comment on your toe injury, sorry - not my area of expertise!
Thanks for getting in touch 😊
I was born with this issue in 2004 my finger is deformed my dad got me a splint as an infant it didn't work he never got me surgery. Now that im an adult im looking in to potential options is it possible after all this time to fix the issue.
Hi Trevor, thanks for getting in touch. All of the studies and research about mallet fingers that I have read relate to acute injuries to previously healthy tendons. In your situation, where the structures have never been functioning normally, I would expect that you would need to see a surgeon. They will need to do some imaging to see what is going on in there, then they can advise whether surgery is a good option for you. Sounds unlikely to respond to splinting. All the best!
I have NO symptoms whatsoever, no pain inflammation tenderness swelling etc. after sustaining the injury, but it's obvious it's a mallet finger.
Is the tendon stretched or torn? What does this mean?
I have no insurance so that's why I'm asking for advice. Thanks!
Hi there, thanks for getting in touch. It is pretty common to feel no pain at all even when there is clearly a complete rupture of the tendon. There may even be a fracture - I have seen this many times in patients who had no pain, swelling or inflammation. Your finger definitely needs a splint of some kind. We use thermoplastic splints because they are custom-fitted and usually easier to get on and off the finger without allowing the tip to bend. However, when a thermoplastic splint is not an option, anything will do - tape your fingertip to a popstick if you need to! Just keep that last joint supported and straight for 6-8 weeks. Hopefully you can find someone close to home with good experience and expertise who can help you out during your recovery. All the best 😊
@@iandowley8059 good morning Ian, thanks for your response. Should I keep it straight or slightly hyperextended? It's confusing when I hear two different answers. Thanks!
@@arcademode2910 Neutral extension is fine, or very slightly hyperextended. If you are too aggressive with the hyperextension you can compromise the circulation around the healing tendon.
I had a finger injury about 2 months ago. I didnt wear a splint as i didnt feel much pain, but as the time has passed i noticed my finger is in this position. Is there a chance to recover from this injury still?
Hi Ben,
Absolutely worth treating it in a splint. The odds of a successful outcome are a bit less after 2 months without treatment, but I have sometimes had success even 6 months after the injury. Here's to a brilliant result for you! All the best
i got mine while doing finger pushups idk how to heal this my parents are refusing to get it checked by the doctors
Hi there - sorry to hear of your injury. While it is preferable to see a doctor or physio and get an X-ray, you can most often get these to heal just by protecting them adequately. This means keeping the end knuckle of the finger in a fully extended (straight) position FULL TIME for 8 weeks. Never allow it to bend for this whole time. This is easiest to achieve with a splint that has been fitted to your finger, but I have had patients who have made their own splints just with a piece of plastic or wood plus some tape. All the best getting it sorted out
@@iandowley8059 I did a little research online and i think i have the tendon mallet because mine isn't painful
I got my mallet finger recently by scrubbing my carpet with a towel. Lol. This got me to think how soft we are. I got my finger X-ray and they told me that they don’t see any fracture assuming a soft tissue injury. They told me to go see a specialist but this would take out of my time from other thing. So right now, would a soft tissue injury be easily self treatment? I got the mallet finger spilt from the doctor and they told me to wear it 24/7 until 6-8 week later and come to have them take a look.
Hello there! Yep, sometimes our bodies just let us down, when other times they seem ridiculously resilient 🙃.
Full time splinting for 8 weeks would be my recommendation for a soft tissue mallet injury. Make sure the splint is holding the end joint in a very straight position.
All the best for your recovery!
Exact same thing happened to me
@@iandowley8059 yup! It has been fully recovered. And I am back to normal!
@@JohnnieRadical Haha it suck right
@@astudentpilotlife Great news - well done!
Sir I have melet finger problem In 2018 . And And current time my age is 19 years .Melet finger problem can fixed permanently? Because this injury is 7 year's old can we fixed permanently
So sorry to hear about your injury. Unfortunately, after 7 years there is very little chance of improvement without surgery. And surgery would certainly be considered risky, as it may make your finger worse rather than better. A persistent mallet finger can be very annoying, but I hope it is something you can learn to live with and work around, so that you can do whatever you want with your life! All the best
@@iandowley8059 "And surgery would definitely be considered risky..." you have said. I went to the doctor a few weeks ago and he said the same thing. He said I should get used to it.
Can you give me more details? Why is the surgery risky?
-Loss of function that may occur in the finger
-Bad image
-Pains that will not go away
like the ones above?
Could this happen from a cut? I cut my thumb and it has been "stuck" for 3 weeks now
Hi Jenny. Yes, it sounds like you have probably severed the tendon. I would strongly recommend that you get your thumb reviewed by a surgeon - it's almost certain to do better with surgical repair rather than just splinting in that situation. All the best with your recovery!