Mallet Finger (Baseball Finger)

An injury to the extensor tendon that straightens the tip of a finger, mallet finger frequently affects those who play baseball and other sports that involve catching a hard ball. However, the injury is not exclusive to athletes. This thin tendon can easily tear if the fingertip is forced into a bent position after striking any unyielding object, such as a wall or door. Sometimes, the tendon stretches to the point that it separates from the attached bone and pulls away a bone fragment (avulsion fracture).

A telltale sign of mallet finger is an inability to fully straighten the tip of the affected finger. Instead, the fingertip may noticeably bend downward toward the palm. Other symptoms can include pain, tenderness, swelling, redness, bruising and a detached fingernail.

How Is Mallet Finger Treated?

To determine the most appropriate treatment for mallet finger, a physician will typically ask about the circumstances of the injury, examine the affected finger and order X-rays to check for an avulsion fracture or joint damage. To treat a stretched or torn tendon with no associated bone injury, a splint may be worn for approximately six weeks to hold the fingertip straight while the tendon heals.

Surgical treatment may be considered for a mallet finger injury with an accompanying bone fracture or joint malalignment. For instance, a hand surgeon may place pins, wires or screws to hold the damaged bone pieces in place as they mend.

Splinting and surgical treatment for mallet finger are usually followed by hand therapy. A hand therapist can suggest specific exercises to stretch and strengthen the finger joints, which may stiffen while immobilized during the healing process. Fully healing can take up to several months.

Consult With a Specialist

If you would like to explore your treatment options for mallet finger, contact Nirschl Orthopaedic Center at (703) 525-2200 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Cassie G. Root, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and hand and wrist specialist who practices in Arlington, VA.