Mallet finger: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment By Wrist & Thumb Braces

MALLET FINGER

The deformity of the finger is known as a mallet finger. The damage caused to the tendon at the fingertip that keeps the finger straight is why mallet happens. Usually, it is the consequence of an injury caused due to the hit of a ball at the fingertip.

Also, forceful flexes of the fingertip could be another reason for a mallet finger. The force applied rips the tendon at the backside of the finger. Extreme pressure or force can lead to a fracture as well. As a consequence, the tip of the finger can get paralyzed forever. Such a condition is known as “baseball finger.”

WHAT IS A MALLET FINGER?

A mallet finger is a discomforting injury in which the fingertip dangles and loses the ability to straighten itself. Such a condition is considered a jammed finger. A mallet finger is painful, it is often bruised, and the finger gets swollen. In most cases, it is observed that the blood receives clotted and collected underneath the nail. Such a painful and bruised finger may cause the nail to detach.

While a mallet finger should be given immediate medical aid within a few hours of injury if there’s noticeable blood beneath the nail or the pin gets broken or detached. This is often considered an open fracture or a nail bed injury. An untreated mallet finger may lose its functionality and can cause unbearable pain.

WHAT CAUSES MALLET FINGER?

A mallet finger is commonly seen amongst athletes. But at the same time, it can also occur with people in everyday households or at work in case of striking the tip of the finger against an immovable object such as a heavy interior, a door, or a wall. Such injury will tear the tendon from where it is attached (distal phalanx). If an injury causes a part of the bone to rupture, it is considered an avulsion injury.

MALLET FINGER SYMPTOMS

HOW TO TREAT MALLET FINGER?

Mallet finger is treatable and can be cured with immediate response and treatment. Especially in children, it should be evaluated as quickly as possible. The hand surgeon will diagnose the injury by examining the position of the finger and may continue further treatment like;

The primary first aid includes icing and keeping the hand elevated above the chest.
The physician may prescribe an x-ray to examine the position of the bone and if the joint is still aligned or not.
The analysis will also examine any cuts at the finger, internal or external bleeding, and the detachment of the nail.
The most common treatment is splinting. It is a non-surgical treatment. This procedure involves a splint that keeps the finger straight until it is healed completely.
A mallet finger requires a finger splint, thumb, and wrist brace to maintain an uninterrupted hand posture.
The physician may also consider surgical treatment if the joint is subluxated or has a fragment fracture. While surgical treatments are not commonly followed in the case of mallet fingers.

WHAT IS THE BEST MALLET FINGER BRACE?

Braces are pieces of medical equipment worn to immobilize the injured part of the body and avoid more significant damage. For example, in the case of a mallet finger, several braces are accessible. Each brace is designed to treat a specific condition and is available in different materials and sizes.

WorldBrace is one stop to shop for any brace. It is recommended and trusted by a list of physicians and orthopedics. They offer a vast variety of braces at affordable prices. Specifically for a mallet finger, WorldBrace provides a set of wrist braces that can help in the healing period of a mallet finger along with a finger splint. The primary purpose of the finger splint is to keep the finger straight and prevent it from bending unnecessarily. While thumb and wrist brace at WorldBrace is the best-considered combination with it.