Therapies - LUHFT wide

 

Mallet Finger

  • Occurs following injury to the tendon that straightens the end joint of the finger.
  • In a few cases a small fragment of bone is pulled away with the tendon.
  • With this injury, you will be unable to straighten out the tip of your finger (you may hear this being called a lag). This is often referred to as a mallet finger.

Mallet finger injury

Mallet Splint     

       ​​​​​​​

 

0-6 weeks

  • You will be fitted with a mallet splint for at least six to eight weeks. This will either be an off-the shelf splint or custom made depending on the fit.
  • Careful, regular attention must be given to the skin underneath and surrounding the splint to ensure it remains in a good condition. There should be no pressure areas (e.g. redness of your skin/ blisters), no pins/needles or numbness and the finger should remain pink in colour.
  • It is important that your finger and the splint are kept dry; otherwise, this can cause problems with your skin.
  • The splint should be worn at all times but can be removed twice a day to wash the finger.
  • However, it is essential that the end of the finger is supported straight throughout as instructed by your therapist. 
  • Failure to do so will result in poor skin condition and a permanent lag at the tip of your finger.
  • It is important you keep all the other joints in your hand moving fully, including the non-splinted joints of the affected finger.

6-8 weeks (approximately)

  • You will be advised to gradually decrease the amount of time you wear the splint.
  • Once the splint is removed, the end joint in your finger may be stiff.
  • Hand therapy may be needed to help gradually regain the movement.
  • In between treatment sessions, should your finger begin to lag, and you are unable to fully straighten it then the mallet splint should be reapplied. Discuss this with your therapist.
  • The splint should be worn at night for at least 12 weeks.

Please note

Until the tendon is well healed (this could be between 12-16 weeks) all resisted movements such as flicking, contact sports or activities that could forcefully bend the tip of the finger, including stretching fingers against a hair bobble should be avoided.

Feedback

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Following your discharge from hospital or attendance at your Outpatient appointment you will receive a text asking if you would recommend our service to others. Please take the time to text back, you will not be charged for the text and can opt out at any point. Your co-operation is greatly appreciated.

 

Further information

 

Royal Liverpool University Hospital and Broadgreen Hospital

Tel: 0151 706 2760

Text phone number: 18001 0151 706 2760

 

Aintree University Hospital

Tel: 0151 529 3335

Text phone number: 18001 0151 529 3335

 

www.nhs.uk/conditions/mallet-finger/

www.bssh.ac.uk/patients/conditions/28/mallet_finger_injury

 

Author: Therapies

Review date:  April 2028

PI 378 V9