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Media Gallery

Despite active extension effort, the distal interphalangeal joint of the index finger rests in flexion, characteristic of a mallet finger.
Typical mallet finger deformity.
This radiograph depicts a large, dorsal-lip avulsion fracture from the distal phalanx, a bony mallet injury.
Mallet fracture with volar subluxation of the distal phalanx.
Stable mallet fracture that involves 40% of the joint surface.
Dorsal aluminum foam splint for the treatment of a mallet finger.
Stack splints are widely used for the treatment of mallet finger.
Molded plastic stack splint for the treatment of mallet finger.
A skin-tight plaster cast can effectively hold the distal interphalangeal joint extended and the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) flexed when a mallet deformity is accompanied by a hyperextensible PIP. Not immobilizing the PIP in partial flexion risks the development of a swan-neck deformity.
Pressure-sore formation can result from a splint that is applied too tightly, especially if the joint is maintained in a hyperextended position rather than a position of neutral extension.
This photo demonstrates a thermoplastic blank for a custom-molded mallet finger splint and an oblique view of the molded splint in place.
Dorsal view of the custom-molded thermoplastic splint in place.
Volar view of the thermoplastic splint in place.
Application of the thermoplastic splint.

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Author

Roy A Meals, MD Clinical Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles, David Geffen School of Medicine

Roy A Meals, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society for Surgery of the Hand

Disclosure: Received royalty from George Tiemann Company for other.

Chief Editor

Harris Gellman, MD Consulting Surgeon, Broward Hand Center; Voluntary Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Plastic Surgery, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Surgery, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine; Clinical Professor of Surgery, Nova Southeastern School of Medicine

Harris Gellman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, Arkansas Medical Society, Florida Medical Association, Florida Orthopaedic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

Michael S Clarke, MD Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine

Michael S Clarke, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association for Hand Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Arthroscopy Association of North America, Clinical Orthopaedic Society, Mid-Central States Orthopaedic Society, and Missouri State Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Henry T Goitz, MD Academic Chair and Associate Director, Detroit Medical Center Sports Medicine Institute; Director, Education, Research, and Injury Prevention Center; Co-Director, Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowship

Henry T Goitz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Thomas R Hunt III, MD Professor and Chairman, Joseph Barnhart Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine

Thomas R Hunt III, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association for Hand Surgery, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, American Society for Surgery of the Hand, AO Foundation, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association, and Southern Orthopaedic Association

Disclosure: Tornier Royalty Independent contractor; Tornier Ownership interest None; Lippincott Royalty Independent contractor

Michael E Robinson, MD Consulting Staff, Department of Orthopedics, Division of Primary Care Sports Medicine, Permanente Medical Group and Kaiser Hospital

Michael E Robinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Society for Sports Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Anthony J Saglimbeni, MD President, South Bay Sports and Preventive Medicine Associates; Private Practice; Team Internist, San Francisco Giants; Team Internist, West Valley College; Team Physician, Bellarmine College Prep; Team Physician, Presentation High School; Team Physician, Santa Clara University; Consultant, University of San Francisco, Academy of Art University, Skyline College, Foothill College, De Anza College

Anthony J Saglimbeni, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: California Medical Association and Santa Clara County Medical Association

Disclosure: South Bay Sports and Preventive Medicine Associates, Inc Ownership interest Other

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Craig C Young, MD Professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Community and Family Medicine, Medical Director of Sports Medicine, Director of Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin

Craig C Young, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Sports Medicine, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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