Mallet Finger(Baseball Finger) David Schiano and Graham Gamble Mallet Finger(Baseball Finger) A mallet finger is a deformity of a finger caused when a certain tendon (the extensor tendon) is damaged. When a ball or other object strikes the tip of the finger or thumb, the force damages the thin tendon that straightens the finger.

Anatomy Extensor Tendon inserts at the distal phalanx of the finger.

Causes: A mallet finger injury occurs when the tip of a finger or the thumb is forcefully bent down (flexed).  The force tears the extensor tendon that is attached to the distal phalanx.  This can happen during sports, such as baseball.  If the force is great enough, the tendon may remain intact, but a small piece of bone can be pulled away where it attaches to the phalanx.  This is called an avulsion fracture.  A mallet finger can also occur if the extensor tendon is cut

Treatment: The majority of mallet finger injuries are treated with splinting.  You will wear a finger splint full time for about six weeks The splint should be removed, however, in a certain way, to allow observation and care of the skin.  The finger must be kept in extension by resting it on a flat surface whenever the splint is removed. Splinting and surgical treatments are usually followed by therapy.  A therapist will show you exercises to stretch and strengthen your joints.

Treatment(Cont.): Most doctors will splint the finger for eight to 12 weeks to see if the drooping lessens to a tolerable amount before considering surgery. Surgery may be necessary for mallet finger injuries with fractures and joint malalignment.  Surgical hardware, such as pins, wires, and screws, are used to hold the bones in place while they heal.  In rare cases, the extensor tendon may be tightened or repaired with a graft

Recovery: After the surgical pin has been removed, exercises may be instituted gradually to strengthen the finger and increase flexibility. It can take a mallet finger injury several months to heal fully