Mallet Finger

Mallet finger is a bent fingertip that won't straighten.

It happens after an injury tears the tendon on the top of your finger. Tendons are tissue that connect a muscle to a bone.

• The torn tendon makes your fingertip droop

• Mallet finger usually happens when you jam your finger, such as by catching a ball

• A splint that holds your fingertip straight may let the tendon heal

• Sometimes the tendon doesn't heal and your fingertip stays bent

Sometimes the injury also cracks the bottom of the bone in your fingertip.

Mallet Finger

People with Mallet finger cannot straighten the end of their finger.

Your finger is:

• Bent at the end joint

• A little painful

Doctors can usually tell by examining your finger. They may also check for a fracture by doing:

• X-rays

Doctors straighten the finger and have you wear a splint that keeps the finger bent slightly upward. You will wear the splint for 6 to 8 weeks.

If your fingertip bone is broken, your doctor may do surgery.