UMEM Educational Pearls

Category: Orthopedics

Title: Extensor Tendon Injuries

Keywords: Mallet finger, Extensor Injury (PubMed Search)

Posted: 5/18/2008 by Michael Bond, MD (Updated: 4/20/2024)
Click here to contact Michael Bond, MD

Extensor Tendon Injuries [Mallet Finger]

Due to jamming the finger or to use a Pittsburgh term "stoving it".
Can result in a swan neck deformity or permanent flexion of the DIP joint.
Due to stretching of the extensor tendon,or avulsion of the extensor tendon off the distal phalanx.
Approximately 50% will develop a complication.
Conservative treatment is splinting the DIP joint in full extension for 5-6 weeks.
- The DIP joint must not be flexed for the full treatment period.
- If the patient does flex their DIP, the 5-6 week time frame needs to completely restart.
Due to the high complication rate all of these patients should be referred to a hand specialist early.