Mallet Fracture Clinical Presentation
- Author: Michael E Robinson, MD; Chief Editor: Craig C Young, MD more...
History
Typically, the athlete with a mallet fracture has a history of a direct blow to the finger, followed by pain and swelling at the DIP joint and by the inability to actively fully extend the DIP joint.
Related Medscape topics:
Resource Center Exercise and Sports Medicine
Resource Center Joint Disorders
Resource Center Trauma
Physical
The physical examination findings of mallet finger include the following (see the following images):
Typical mallet finger deformity.
Mallet fracture with volar subluxation of the distal phalanx.
Dorsal aluminum foam splint for the treatment of a mallet finger.
Molded plastic splint for the treatment of a mallet finger.
Stable mallet fracture that involves 40% of the joint surface. - Localized swelling and tenderness to palpation at the affected DIP joint
- Inability to actively extend the injured DIP joint
- In some individuals, hyperextension may be noted at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint because of imbalance of the extensor mechanism. This " swan-neck deformity " is more often a late finding in untreated injuries.
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