Mallet Finger Physiotherapy in Indirapuram

How it happens

The extensor tendon that straightens the fingertip attaches to the last bone of the finger. A sudden force that bends the tip, such as a cricket ball catching the end of the finger or jamming it while tucking in a bedsheet, can tear the tendon or pull off a small piece of bone with it.

The fingertip then sits bent. It can still be pushed straight with the other hand, but it won't straighten on its own.

Treatment is mostly about the splint

Most mallet fingers are treated with a splint that holds the fingertip straight or slightly overextended. The key word is continuously. The splint stays on for around six to eight weeks, day and night, including while washing. If the tip is allowed to bend even once during this time, the healing tendon can be stretched and the clock resets.

We teach you how to change or clean the splint while keeping the fingertip supported on a flat surface. Checking the skin under the splint matters, as pressure sores can develop.

After splinting

When the splint comes off, the finger is gradually weaned, often with night splinting for a further few weeks. Gentle bending exercises are introduced step by step. Some slight droop may remain, but function is usually good.

Surgery is considered for large bone fragments, joint subluxation, or when splinting fails.

Exercises often used for Mallet Finger

These are exercises our physiotherapists commonly include. Which ones suit you, how many and in what order depends on your assessment and stage of recovery.

All elbow, wrist and hand exercises

Frequently asked questions