Current concepts: mallet finger

Loss of the extensor mechanism at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint leads to mallet finger also known as baseball finger or drop finger. Mallet finger injuries are most commonly seen in young and middle aged male patients. Seventy-four percent of bony mallet finger injuries involves the dominant hand, and more than 90 % of injuries was found in the ulnar 3 digits.

The most common mechanism of injury in mallet finger is a sudden flexion of the DIP joint with the resistance force directed along the long axis of the finger. This leads to

terminal extensor tendon tear or tendon avulsion with a bony fragment.

There are several treatment options for mallet finger. Many splint configurations and surgical techniques have been described over the past several decades. However, the optimal treatment of each type of mallet finger injury remains controversial. All acute reducible bony or soft tissue mallet fingers are best initially treated with splints. Bony mallet fingers with more than 30 % articular involvement with joint subluxation are better managed surgically. > From: Alla et al., Hand 9 (2014) 138–144.  All rights reserved to the American Association for Hand Surgery. 

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