When is surgery needed for mallet finger?

When is surgery needed for mallet finger?

Surgery for mallet finger is rare. But if your joint is misaligned, your finger is broken or there are bone fragments that result in an unstable joint, your injury is considered “complex” and may need surgery.

Is mallet finger an emergency?

Commonly referred to as mallet finger, drop finger, or baseball finger, terminal extensor tendon injuries are a common presentation to the emergency department. Providers need to be advised of evidence-based management of these extensor tendon injuries in order to prevent decreased function and permanent deformity.

Can mallet finger be fixed after a year?

Probably not. Most of the time, a mallet finger can be fixed by using an orthosis (or splint) that holds it straight for a several weeks; however, sometimes it can be more serious, which is why it is a good idea to have it professionally evaluated.

What happens if mallet finger doesn’t heal?

In the rare case that a splint or pinning doesn’t heal your mallet finger, we may conduct surgery to repair your damaged tendon. This may involve tightening the stretched tissue or fusing the joint straight.

How long is recovery from mallet finger surgery?

Recovery. It should take 6 to 8 weeks for your finger to heal, after which time you’ll be able to use it again. You may be advised to continue to only wear the splint at night for up to 4 more weeks. In some cases, you may only need to see a specialist once, as a hand physiotherapist may be able to take over your care.

Is mallet finger surgery successful?

An 80% to 100% success rate can be expected. In the US literature, the Fowler release is favored, but it does not reliably correct a flexion deformity of more than 35 degrees. Spiral retinacular reconstruction provides an excellent solution if the associated swan neck deformity needs to be corrected.

Does mallet finger need an xray?

It can occur in non-athletes with certain activities such as tucking in a bedspread or forcefully taking off socks. The long, ring, and pinkie finger on a person’s dominant hand are most likely to be injured. All mallet finger injuries have an injured fingertip that is drooping or sagging (Picture 3).

Is it too late to fix my mallet finger?

When the injury is new, we may recommend that the DIP joint be splinted nonstop in full extension for six to eight weeks. A mallet finger that is up to three months old may require splinting in full extension for eight to 12 weeks.

How do I know if mallet finger is healed?

When it is time for your splint to come off, your provider will examine how well your finger has healed. Swelling in your finger when you are no longer wearing the splint may be a sign that the tendon has not healed yet. You may need another x-ray of your finger.

Will mallet finger heal without surgery?

Mallet finger injuries are usually treated without surgery, unless the injury is chronic. Even if you don’t have much pain and your hand still works, it’s best to get treatment as soon as possible. But even delayed treatment with splinting can be successful .

Can mallet finger heal completely?

Wearing a splint on your finger to keep it straight is the most common treatment for mallet finger. You may need to wear a splint for different lengths of time. If your tendon is only stretched, not torn, it should heal in 4 to 6 weeks if you wear a splint all the time.

Can a mallet finger be repaired without surgery?

A mallet finger surgery can correct the injury. You may have tried nonsurgical treatment with an unsuccessful outcome, or we may have identified bone fractures through an X-ray that needs to be repaired. Now you are interested in what mallet finger surgery entails.

What does it mean to have a mallet finger?

The tendon that attaches to the tip of your finger bone on the back side helps you straighten your fingertip. Mallet finger occurs when this tendon: Is stretched or torn. Pulls a piece of bone away from the rest of the bone (avulsion fracture)

What happens when you take off a mallet splint?

If your skin is white when you take off your splint, it may be too tight. You will likely be able to return to your normal activities or sports, as long as you wear your splint all the time. Be careful when you take off your splint to clean it. Keep your finger straight the whole time the splint is off.

How long after surgery do you wear a splint?

After this period you will wear the splint at night for three to four weeks. We repair the fracture allowing the finger to fully straighten. Possible complications include infection, blood loss, and nerve damage as with any surgery.