Maintenance notice: Some features that submit or update information are temporarily disabled while we migrate the website. You can continue browsing normally. Thank you for your understanding.
A mallet finger (Figure 1) results from a separation of the extensor digitorum from its insertion on the distal phalanx. This separation by tearing away (technically, an "avulsion") results from hyperflexion of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. A commonly seen mechanism of injury is a blow against the tip of the finger by a ball being caught. The injury can either cause the avulsion of the tendon off the bone or the avulsion of the tendon with a piece of the bone attached. When there is bony involvement of the distal phalanx, the injury is referred to as a "bony mallet." An injury to the extensor digitorum more proximally, at the level of the middle phalanx, damages the so-called “central slip” and can lead to a boutonnière (meaning "button hole" in French) deformity. In a boutonnière deformity (Figure 2), the head of the proximal phalanx pops through the central slip (like a button through a button hole). This causes the characteristic deformity of flexion at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and hyperextension at the DIP joint.
Full Article - https://www.orthopaedia.com/mallet-finger-and-other-finger-extensor-injuries/
If you have orthopedic information that you would like to share with the Orthogate Community, please register/login and submit your news, event, job, article, case or workshop from the Submit Content menu under the My Account area. Learn more!
Improving orthopaedic care, education and research using Internet technologies