Mallet Finger

Description[edit | edit source]

Mallet Finger Injury.jpg

Mallet finger is the term applied to extensor avulsion fractures or distal extensor tendon ruptures. Either one results in an inability to extend the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint.

Mallet finger injuries are[1]:

  • Named for the resulting flexion deformity of the fingertip, which resembles a mallet or hammer
  • Caused by the disruption of the extensor mechanism of the phalanx at the level of the distal interphalangeal joint. They are usually due to a forced flexion at the distal interphalangeal joint
  • Results in the inability to extend the distal phalanx
  • A mallet fracture occurs when the extensor tendon also causes an avulsion of the distal phalanx[1]

Mallet finger injuries are best managed by a multidisciplinary team because the ideal treatment is not known.

  • Conservative treatment with splints is widely used for mild injuries (outcomes are unpredictable)
  • Surgery is often done (results are not optimal)[1]

Clinically Relevant Anatomy[edit | edit source]

Extensor retinaculum of hand Primal.png

The extensor tendons straighten the fingers and thumb through a very complex arrangement. The extensor apparatus is a plexus of tendons with an aponeurotic sheet. Extensor tendons are located in the dorsal region of the hand and fingers. The function of these tendons is to extend the wrist and the fingers.[2]

Aetiology[edit | edit source]

In mallet finger injuries, the distal extensor tendon is ruptured. The rupture occurs when the distal phalanx of a finger is forced into flexion while being actively extended e.g. in ball sports, if a ball hits the fingertip of an extended finger.

  • The extrinsic extensor tendon originates in the forearm and runs over the metacarpophalangeal joint, having an indirect attachment to the proximal phalanx, and finally, attaches to the distal phalanx. These tendons are responsible for extension of the digits
  • A mallet finger injury occurs when the extensor tendon is disrupted. A mallet fracture occurs when the tendon injury causes an avulsion fracture of the distal phalanx[1]
  • Current evidence supports nonoperative interventions, but injuries need to be addressed in a timely manner in order to avoid poor outcomes[3]

Epidemiology[edit | edit source]

Terminal extensor tendon injuries such as mallet finger injuries are common. Terminal extensor tendon injuries represent 5.6% of injuries in the hand and wrist.[4] Mallet finger injuries:

  • Usually occur in the workplace or during sports-related activities[1]
  • Are frequently seen in young to middle-aged men and occasionally in older women as well. The mean age for men with a mallet finger injury is 34 years. The mean age for women is 41 years.[3]
  • Are more common in ball sports, as the ball hits the fingertip of an extended finger. This compels the distal interphalangeal joint into a forced flexion position and thereby causes an extensor tendon disruption
  • Terminal extensor tendon injuries can also occur with lower injury impacts - such as an elderly person "jamming" their finger while performing activities of daily living such as pulling up socks or tucking in bedsheets[3]
  • The fingers most commonly affected are the long or middle finger and the ring finger of the dominant hand[5]

Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]

  • An inciting incident will be reported if a traumatic cause.
  • Initially, the finger is painful and swollen around the DIP joint.
  • When the actual tendon is ruptured, the condition can be relatively painless. If a piece of the bone is pulled off, it is normally a bit more swollen and sore[6].
  • The end of the finger is bent and cannot be straightened voluntarily. The DIP joint can be straightened easily with help from the other hand.

Differential Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Swan-neck deformity.jpg

Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]

  • Usually, the diagnosis of mallet finger is clearly evident from the physical exam
  • An X-ray may be taken - may show if the injury is an avulsion fracture or a tendon rupture and/or if there is a fractured bone[6]

Management[edit | edit source]

High-quality evidence ( a systematic review ) was conducted in 2018 to evaluate the therapeutic interventions for mallet finger. It concluded that both surgical and non-surgical management leads to excellent outcomes and the treatment intervention choice should be personalised to every patient[7][8].

Physical Therapy Treatment

Splint.jpeg

In general, a splint will be worn full time for 6–8 weeks. Then exercises can commence to gradually increase the movement in the tip of the finger. At this time, gradually reduce the time the client is wearing a splint. It usually takes around 3–4 weeks to regain maximal movement and strength of the finger post-immobilisation.

Non- Surgical [9]

May have continuous splinting for approximately six weeks followed by six weeks of nighttime splinting.

  • Usually, this will result in satisfactory healing and allow the finger to extend[10].
  • Patient education is essential to ensure that the patient understands the necessity for maintaining DIP joint extension[3]
  • The key is continuous splinting for the first six weeks
  • If the splint is removed and the finger is allowed to bend, the process is disrupted and must start all over again
  • The splint must remain on at all times, even in the shower
  • The splint should hold the DIP joint in full extension and allow the ends of the tendon to move as close together as possible. As healing occurs, scar formation repairs the tendon
  • When the tendon is strong enough to hold the fingertip straight, a schedule to gradually wean out of the splint safely is instituted. If the client resumes playing sport with your splint on, you need to educate to strap it on firmly with sports tape to make sure it doesn't fly off[6]

[11]

Splinting

There are many different splints, designed to be easier to wear at all times. In some extreme cases where the patient has to use his or her hands to continue working (eg a surgeon), a metal pin can be placed inside the bone across the DIP joint to act as an internal splint. This allows patients to continue to use their hand. The pin is removed at six weeks.

  • In chronic mallet finger cases splinting may still work. In this case, splint the finger for about eight to 12 weeks to see if the drooping lessens to a tolerable amount before considering surgery[12]
  • Skin problems with prolonged splint usage include skin breakdown. It is important to monitor for this and possibly recommend a new or different splint
  • Nearby joints may become stiff when the injured finger is splinted for this length of time. Design a program of exercises to assist in finger range of motion and to reduce joint stiffness

The following video shows how to tape a mallet finger after splint removal.





Surgical

  • Surgery to repair a mallet finger is required when the bone fragment is large, when the fingertip has moved position a little or when the cause is a laceration.[6]
  • Rehabilitation after surgery for mallet finger focuses mainly on keeping the other joints mobile and preventing stiffness from disuse

Lin et al (2018)[7] reported that the average DIP joint extensor lag after surgical treatment is 5.7° and 7.6° after conservative management. This is important to include in patient education as it will help to ensure that patients have a realistic expectation of the treatment outcomes.[7]

Complications[edit | edit source]

Either of these complications can occur following either nonsurgical or surgical management of mallet fractures:[1]

  • Residual extensor lag (noted on physical exam)
  • Swan neck deformities (due to a disruption of the volar plate caused by the disrupted extensor tendon, resulting in the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint becoming abnormally flexed and the proximal interphalangeal joint remaining in a hyperextended position)

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Yee J, Waseem M. Mallet Finger Injuries. InStatPearls [Internet] 2019 May 5. StatPearls Publishing. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459373/ (last accessed 7.12.2019)
  2. Brotzman S.B., Manske R.C. Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation: An Evidence-Based Approach, Elsevier Health Sciences, 2011
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Ramponi DR, Hellier SD. Mallet finger. Advanced emergency nursing journal. 2019 Jul 1;41(3):198-203.
  4. de Jong JP, Nguyen JT, Sonnema AJ, Nguyen EC, Amadio PC, Moran SL. The incidence of acute traumatic tendon injuries in the hand and wrist: a 10-year population-based study. Clinics in orthopedic surgery. 2014 Jun 1;6(2):196-202.
  5. Botero SS, Diaz JJ, Benaïda A, Collon S, Facca S, Liverneaux PA. Review of acute traumatic closed mallet finger injuries in adults. Archives of plastic surgery. 2016 Mar;43(2):134.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 APA Mallett Finger Available from: https://choose.physio/your-body/fingers/mallet-finger (last accessed 7.12.2019)
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Lin JS, Samora JB. Surgical and nonsurgical management of mallet finger: a systematic review. The Journal of hand surgery. 2018 Feb 1;43(2):146-63.
  8. Smit JM, Beets MR, Zeebregts CJ, Rood A, Welters CF. Treatment options for mallet finger: a review. Plastic and reconstructive surgery. 2010 Nov 1;126(5):1624-9.
  9. Total Physio Mallett finger Available from: http://www.total-physio.com/Injuries-Conditions/Hand/Hand-Issues/Mallet-Finger-Injuries/a~287/article.html (last accessed 8.12.2019)
  10. Johnson C, Swanson M, Manolopoulos K. A case report: Treatment of a zone III extensor tendon injury using a single relative motion with dorsal hood orthosis and a modified short arc motion protocol. Journal of Hand Therapy. 2019 May 10.
  11. Action Rehab Hand Therapy. Mallet Finger Treatment. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nddscjcwtc. (last accessed 29 November 2020)
  12. Thillemann JK, Thillemann TM, Kristensen PK, Foldager-Jensen AD, Munk B. Splinting versus extension-block pinning of bony mallet finger: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume). 2020 Apr 26:1753193420917567.
  13. Performance Health Academy Network Spinting:Mallet Available from:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PI53P9qD6I (last accessed 5.4.2020)
  14. Orfit Industries Mallet finger orthosis (pinch method) - Orficast Instructional Movie 22 Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-ALaE0L0FQ [last accessed 31/5/2021]