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Mallet finger

Case contributed by Nauman Akram
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Football struck finger. Pain and swelling.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

There is an obvious avulsion fragment of the dorsal aspect of the base of the distal phalanx with subtle overlying soft tissue swelling. 

There is slight flexion deformity of the DIP joint.

Case Discussion

A mallet finger is a deformity of the finger caused when the extensor tendon is damaged, often when a ball or another object strikes the tip of the finger and bends it towards the palm forcibly, tearing the tendon.

This condition is sometimes referred as baseball finger or dropped finger.

Treatment is by splinting for 6 to 8 weeks and surgery for the large fracture fragments or when the conservative management fails to heal the injury.

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