Mallet Finger

A Mallet Finger, also called “baseball finger” is when the end joint of your finger closest to your fingernail, bends but will not straighten by itself. You are able to push your finger into a straight position, but it won’t stay straight without support. A Mallet Finger is a very common injury that can happen when catching a ball, hitting your finger against something hard or catching your finger in a drawer.

With Mallet Finger, the tendon (band of tissue) that straightens the DIP joint may tear; or, a small piece of bone may break off when the tendon pulls away from its attachment on the top of the finger. The result is that there is nothing to hold the joint up or to straighten it without help.

For more information on Mallet Finger, check out our blog -  What Should I Do About My Mallet Finger?

Symptoms

• Drooping of the fingertip joint

• Your fingertip is swollen and the skin may be bruised and sore

• Your fingertip can be pushed into a straight position but it will not stay straight without support

What Can I Do About It?

It’s important to treat a Mallet Finger as soon as possible with a finger splint that holds the DIP joint straight for 4 to 6 weeks to allow the tendon to heal. Your healthcare provider can help you confirm that splinting is the appropriate treatment.

Finger Splints That Can Help