Dr. Steven Rueda is one of the most sought after doctors for mallet finger treatment in Palm Beach. This condition refers to an injury to an extensor tendon in the finger. This injury results in inability to extend the finger joint closest to the nail. It received the name mallet, which means hammer, to describe the appearance of the finger after injury.
WHAT CAUSES MALLET FINGER?
The injury typically occurs when the fingertip is forcefully bent down, and the tendon tears from its insertion on the bone. When torn, the tendon can fully tear away from the bone or pull a bone chip with it. Those that pull a piece of bone with the tendon are known as “bony mallet”. It is commonly seen in baseball players and is also known as baseball finger.
MALLET FINGER PROCEDURE
Joint pinning surgery places a wire through the bones to internally immobilize the joint. It acts similar to the way an external splint would, but in this case remains internal, is less bulky, and usually more reliable. It is kept for 6-8 weeks and then removed in the office. Joint fusion surgery is the last treatment option and rarely performed. If all prior treatment methods have failed and the patient still wants correction of the droopy tip, joint fusion is an option. This surgery removes the cartilage from the joint next to the nail, and fuses the bones together. After healing the finger appears straight and not droopy.
Incisions
A puncture to fit a 1.1mm wire at the fingertip
Incisions
Made and hidden on creases on the back of the finger just behind the nail
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The majority of patients with mallet finger can be treated without surgery with an extension splint. This splint is worn continuously anywhere from 4-8 weeks depending on the type of mallet. Surgery is only advised if splinting fails or if there is a large bone fragment associated with the mallet finger.