A common injury resulting in a tear or avulsion of the extensor digitorium tendon inserting into the base of the distal phalanx. Occurs due to hyperflexion of the finger usually as of a esult of it getting jammed on a ball while playing sports. Most can be treated non-surgically.
The distal phalanx must be kept in full extension for 6 to 8 weeks. This is one of the few times that the finger should not be splinted in the position of function.
Make sure that patient is informed that if they remove the splint and flex their finger the 6 to 8 week healing window will be reset to day 0. These patients should not be doing ROM exercises and must wear the splint full time.
