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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.
How long does a mallet finger take to heal?
Symptoms of mallet finger may include pain, tenderness, and swelling at the outermost joint immediately after the injury; swelling and redness soon after the injury; and the inability to completely extend the finger, but the person can move it with assistance. What Causes Mallet Finger?
What are the symptoms of mallet finger?
Many patients will have a very slight droop and may notice a small bump at the back of the finger after treatment. This normally does not cause any problems with performing normal activity. Surgery may be considered when a mallet finger injury has a large bone fragment or the joint is not properly aligned.
Should I have surgery for a mallet finger?
Mallet finger - aftercare. Mallet finger occurs when you cannot straighten your finger. When you do try to straighten it, the tip of your finger remains bent toward your palm. Sports injuries are the most common cause of mallet finger, particularly from catching a ball. Tendons attach muscles to bones.
What is mallet finger aftercare?
How do I know if mallet finger has healed properly?
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.
Does mallet finger ever straighten?
Mallet finger is an injury to the end of your finger that causes it to bend inwards towards your palm. You will not be able to straighten the end of your finger because the tendon connecting the muscle to the finger bone is stretched or torn.
How long does mallet finger stay swollen?
Your finger may be red, swollen, and tender. But these problems usually resolve after three to four months. Sometimes there may be a little bump on the top of the involved joint, but it's not painful and doesn't hinder the function of the finger.
Can you fix a healed mallet finger?
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. That sounds like it might be easy.
Do tendons grow back stronger?
It's been shown that tendon and ligaments degrade slightly as a result of training and then regenerate to regain homeostasis and strengthen slightly during the recovery period (see Figure below).
How can I heal tendons faster?
A typical plan might include:Stretching and flexibility exercises to help the tendon heal completely and avoid long-term pain.Strengthening exercises to help you rebuild tendon strength and avoid future injuries.Ultrasound heat therapy to improve blood circulation, which may aid the healing process.More items...•
Can mallet finger get infected?
Risk for Infection This may be a sign of a cut in the nail bed, or that the finger bone is broken and the wound penetrates down to the bone (open fracture). These types of injuries put you at risk for infection.
Can I take my finger splint off to shower?
Tape a sheet of plastic to cover your splint when you take a shower or bath, unless your doctor said you can take it off while bathing. If you can take the splint off when you bathe, pat the area dry after bathing and put the splint back on. If your splint gets a little wet, you can dry it with a hair dryer.
Can't fully bend finger after injury?
If your flexor tendons are damaged, you'll be unable to bend 1 or more fingers. Tendon damage can also cause pain and swelling (inflammation) in your hand. Sometimes, damage to the extensor tendons can be treated without the need for surgery, using a rigid support called a splint that's worn around the hand.
How long does it take to bend finger after splint?
It takes 12 weeks for your tendon to completely heal, so it is important to follow all advice to get the best result. At first, when the splint is removed the finger may not bend easily at the joint which has been splinted. This is normal and will wear off gradually.
How do you bend your finger after splinting?
1:098:44BEST 5 Ways to Treat FINGER STIFFNESS after an Injury - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you want to bend. And move just the tip of the finger by itself. And get that joint. Moving.MoreAnd you want to bend. And move just the tip of the finger by itself. And get that joint. Moving. Then you want to go down to the next joint right below the crease.
How long does it take for a mallet finger to heal?
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. If your tendon is torn or pulled off the bone, ...
How to stop a swollen finger from getting wet?
If they get wet, dry them after your shower. Keep your finger straight at all times. Using an ice pack can help with pain. Apply the ice pack for 20 minutes, every hour you are awake for the first 2 days, then for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 times daily as needed to reduce pain and swelling.
How to keep a splint from drooping?
Be careful when you take off your splint to clean it. Keep your finger straight the whole time the splint is off. Letting your fingertip droop or bend may mean you will have to wear your splint even longer. When you shower, cover your finger and splint with a plastic bag. If they get wet, dry them after your shower.
What does it mean when your finger splint is coming off?
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.
What is the tendon that attaches to the tip of the finger?
Tendons attach muscles to bones. 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) Mallet finger most often occurs when something hits the tip ...
What is a splint made of?
Your splint is made of hard plastic or aluminum. A trained professional should make your splint to make sure it fits correctly and your finger is in the right position for healing. Your splint should be snug enough to hold your finger in a straight position so that it does not droop.
How long do you have to wear a splint after surgery?
After that, you will need to wear your splint for another 3 to 4 weeks, at night only. If you wait to start treatment or do not wear the splint as you are told, you may have to wear it longer. Surgery is rarely needed except for more severe fractures. Your splint is made of hard plastic or aluminum.
Overview
Mallet finger, known as drop finger or baseball finger, is an injury to the tendon that straightens the tip of your finger (or thumb). Tendons attach your bones to your muscles, providing stability and motion. With injury, the tendon can tear or detach from the finger bone. In some cases you may injure your finger bone along with your tendon.
Symptoms and Causes
Mallet finger injury happens when something hard hits your extended finger or when there’s some trauma to your fingertip, like getting it caught in a door.
Diagnosis and Tests
After realizing that you’re unable to straighten your finger, your healthcare provider may require an:
Prevention
You can do your best to avoid mallet finger injuries by being careful when you play sports that use a hard ball. But these injuries are common accidents that aren’t always preventable.
Living With
Yes. A mallet finger is an injury that should be treated, but you should be able to go about your daily life. You’ll need to avoid sports until you’ve completely healed. You may need to take some time off work depending on how much you use the injured finger for your job.
How long does it take for a mallet finger to heal?
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.
What does it mean when your finger is swelling when you don't wear a splint?
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.
What is the tendon on the back of your finger?
Tendons attach muscles to bones. The tendon that attaches to the tip of your finger bone on the back side helps you straighten your fingertip. Mallet finger most often occurs when something hits the tip of your straightened finger and bends it down with force.
How to keep a splint from drooping?
Be careful when you take off your splint to clean it. Keep your finger straight the whole time the splint is off. Letting your fingertip droop or bend may mean you will have to wear your splint even longer. When you shower, cover your finger and splint with a plastic bag. If they get wet, dry them after your shower.
What is a splint made of?
Your splint is made of hard plastic or aluminum. A trained professional should make your splint to make sure it fits correctly and your finger is in the right position for healing. Your splint should be snug enough to hold your finger in a straight position so that it does not droop.
How long does it take for a tendon to heal after a splint?
If your tendon is torn or pulled off the bone, it should heal in 6 to 8 weeks of wearing a splint all the time. After that, you will need to wear your splint for another 3 to 4 weeks, at night only. If you wait to start treatment or do not wear the splint as you are told, you may have to wear it longer.
How to stop a swollen finger from getting wet?
If they get wet, dry them after your shower. Keep your finger straight at all times. Using an ice pack can help with pain. Apply the ice pack for 20 minutes, every hour you are awake for the first 2 days, then for 10 to 20 minutes, 3 times daily as needed to reduce pain and swelling.
