Knackered finger
Discussion
Not me, but the wife.
About a month ago, my wife was playing netball (stupid sport) and was struck in the hand by another player whilst making a catch. She complained of pain in her right hand little finger at the time and said it was sore to bend it straight (she couldn't straighten it by herself). The injury pertains to the first joint, at the end. Now, it's healed, in a sense, but her finger is permanently bent at the end and she can't straighten it without bending the tip back with her other hand. When he does this, it's sore and she's complained these past few days of catching her hand on things and bending the finger back, causing pain.
I told her she should have splinted it at the time and that permanent damage like this was a likely outcome. Can it be fixed now that it's healed, will it ever go straight again? Why does this happen, I presume the tendon is now too weak to pull it straight?
About a month ago, my wife was playing netball (stupid sport) and was struck in the hand by another player whilst making a catch. She complained of pain in her right hand little finger at the time and said it was sore to bend it straight (she couldn't straighten it by herself). The injury pertains to the first joint, at the end. Now, it's healed, in a sense, but her finger is permanently bent at the end and she can't straighten it without bending the tip back with her other hand. When he does this, it's sore and she's complained these past few days of catching her hand on things and bending the finger back, causing pain.
I told her she should have splinted it at the time and that permanent damage like this was a likely outcome. Can it be fixed now that it's healed, will it ever go straight again? Why does this happen, I presume the tendon is now too weak to pull it straight?
The_Doc said:
You've got to get to A&E for a mallet splint soon on these. Eg 48 hrs
Late splinting equals worse outcome.
Easy to treat early. Slow to heal.
Ignore=floppy finger tip for ever.
I was down at the hospital within half an hour of it happening (X-ray and raised splint added - no broken bone). Biggest problem is changing the dressing after showering. I always feel as though the finger bends when readjusting the bandage - will this hinder progress? Heading back to the hospital just before Christmas for them to check up on it.Late splinting equals worse outcome.
Easy to treat early. Slow to heal.
Ignore=floppy finger tip for ever.
The_Doc said:
The mallet splint never comes off.
If it comes off and the finger tip droops you're back to square one.
If you take it off you must support the finger tip fully on a table top or counter top.
Thank you. I was in the hospital a couple of days ago. Ive been told another 4 weeks until the splints come off - that will take it to 6 weeks total. The finger seems to start to stiffen up now so hopefully the tendon is fixing itself. I've bought some finger cots to keep it dry which will help in the shower!If it comes off and the finger tip droops you're back to square one.
If you take it off you must support the finger tip fully on a table top or counter top.
Mallet finger.
Best treated soon after injury, but still worth trying splinting at a month. Success rate decreases with time, however.
Needs an xray to determine if bony or soft tissue injury, and if bony whether joint is congruent and stable. Treatment is surgical if joint not stable. If joint ok then best treatment is with splints custom made by hand therapists.
If you leave it the deformity will be permanent. Will probably develop a swan neck deformity later. If this happens then fusing the distal joint can help.
Best treated soon after injury, but still worth trying splinting at a month. Success rate decreases with time, however.
Needs an xray to determine if bony or soft tissue injury, and if bony whether joint is congruent and stable. Treatment is surgical if joint not stable. If joint ok then best treatment is with splints custom made by hand therapists.
If you leave it the deformity will be permanent. Will probably develop a swan neck deformity later. If this happens then fusing the distal joint can help.
The pros above are all correct!
I have/had this about 10 years ago. Fortunately, I went to A&E that day and it's fine now although that joint is a little bigger. In fact, I'd forgotten I had this until this thread popped up. But as mentioned above, don't remove the splint until told to! If you remove the bandage, rest it on a table.
The funny bit was at physio after it had healed when he asked me to bend my finger. It had been straight for 6 weeks and I just couldn't remember how to bend it. I had to bend it with the help of the other hand.
As an aside, I was still able to play tennis and badminton. I just learnt to play with my left hand. After I started playing properly again, I remember sometimes switching hands so I didn't need to do a backhand. Overhead strikes with the left hand were a bit wayward, mind. The number of times the shuttle landed on my head...
I can't remember how long it was before I was back to progressive strength training but I've not had problems with that finger when lifting heavy. Obviously at the time, I struggled to pick up anything mildly heavy without pain (like a cup of tea!), but now it's completely fine for heavy lifting.
I have/had this about 10 years ago. Fortunately, I went to A&E that day and it's fine now although that joint is a little bigger. In fact, I'd forgotten I had this until this thread popped up. But as mentioned above, don't remove the splint until told to! If you remove the bandage, rest it on a table.
The funny bit was at physio after it had healed when he asked me to bend my finger. It had been straight for 6 weeks and I just couldn't remember how to bend it. I had to bend it with the help of the other hand.
As an aside, I was still able to play tennis and badminton. I just learnt to play with my left hand. After I started playing properly again, I remember sometimes switching hands so I didn't need to do a backhand. Overhead strikes with the left hand were a bit wayward, mind. The number of times the shuttle landed on my head...
I can't remember how long it was before I was back to progressive strength training but I've not had problems with that finger when lifting heavy. Obviously at the time, I struggled to pick up anything mildly heavy without pain (like a cup of tea!), but now it's completely fine for heavy lifting.
Edited by Hoofy on Wednesday 25th December 00:39
jinkster said:
Thanks for all the replies. I’ve left the splint on and I can feel the tendon starting to work again when I try and move the end of my finger. The splint comes off towards the end of Jan!
Now weaning the splint off. Taking time and finger very stiff and the skin quite sensitive to touch. Worried about doing it again but small easy steps...Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff