MALLET FINGER (BASEBALL FINGER)

A mallet finger is a deformity of the fingertip that is caused when a tendon (a cord that connects muscle to bone) is damaged. The tendon damaged is the extensor tendon located on the back of the finger that is responsible for making the fingertip point straight out. When a ball or another object strikes the tip of the finger, the force damages this tendon and may even pull a piece of bone off along with the tendon. When this occurs, the finger is not able to straighten. The condition is also known as baseball finger. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising of the finger. A finger droop may be noticeable. The goal of treatment is to keep the finger straight with a splint so that the tendon can heal. Although splinting may help gain an acceptable fingertip appearance, many patients may still not regain full fingertip extension.

A mallet finger is an injury to the tendon (a cord that connects muscle to bone) in the fingertip. It is commonly known as “baseball finger” but even those who do not play baseball can have this injury. The tendon damaged is the extensor tendon located on the back of the finger that is responsible for making the fingertip point straight out. When there is a direct blow to the finger tip, the extensor tendon can be damaged. When this occurs, the finger is not able to straighten.

When a ball or another object strikes the tip of the finger, the force damages this tendon and may even pull a piece of bone off along with the tendon. One type of injury would be a tendon rupture, when the tendon is torn the fingertip joint, hindering your ability to straighten your finger. The other case would be when a piece of bone (a fragment of the distal phalanx) pulls away with the extensor tendon, called an avulsion. The most at risk fingers to be injured are the middle, ring and little fingers.

When a ball or another object strikes the tip of the finger, the force damages this tendon and may even pull a piece of bone off along with the tendon. One type of injury would be a tendon rupture, when the tendon is torn the fingertip joint, hindering your ability to straighten your finger. The other case would be when a piece of bone (a fragment of the distal phalanx) pulls away with the extensor tendon, called an avulsion. The most at risk fingers to be injured are the middle, ring and little fingers.