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Mallet finger

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You have a mallet finger injuryThis is due either to rupture of a tendon or to a small fracture where the tendon attaches to bone.

To encourage good healing we have applied a plastic splint to your finger.

The splint should fit snugly over your finger and your finger tip should be touching the end of the splint.

You should secure the splint using a piece of tape about five centimetres long.

The splint should be worn continuously, even at night, for five weeks.

After this period of time the splint should be worn for a further one week at night only or when the finger is at risk of injury.

Bad

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The finger must be kept straight at all times, even when taking the splint off to wash. Hold your finger as straight as possible with your thumb or on a flat surface. Replace the splint without bending the finger.

It is important to keep the finger and splint dry to reduce skin irritation.

Try to limit getting the finger wet to reduce the incidence of removal but if the finger gets wet or the skin sweaty the splint should be removed and dried.

After the splint has been fully removed your finger may experience stiffness, swelling and redness. This will settle. Keep moving the finger gently within limits of discomfort.

Most injuries heal without problems but may take several months to improve. You may be left with a small bump of unable to fully straighten your finger. This will be unlikely to affect function in daily living.

If you have any concerns regarding recovery of wish further advice then contact:

University Hospital Crosshouse on 01563 826452 Please leave a message if we are unable to answer your call and we will contact you as soon as possible.

University Hospital Ayr Emergency department on 01292 614522

Arran War Memorial Hospital on 01770 600777 and ask to be put through to the Emergency department.

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0800 169 1441

Tha gach sgrìobhainn againn rim faotainn ann an diofar chànanan, clò nas motha, Braille (Beurla a-mhàin), teip claistinn no riochd eile a tha sibh airson a thaghadh.

Tell us what you think...If you would like to comment on any issues raised by this document, please complete this form and return it to: Communications Department, 28 Lister Street, University Hospital Crosshouse, Crosshouse KA2 0BB. You can also email us at: comms@aaaht.scot.nhs.uk. If you provide your contact details, we will acknowledge your comments and pass them to the appropriate departments for a response.

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Compiled by Emergency DepartmentLast reviewed: February 2017 Leaflet reference XAE05-021-CC/PIL17-0075