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OrthoVellum

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Hand & Upper Limb
intermediate
X-Type

Mallet Finger Treatment

Tendon Injuries

A 28-year-old cricketer presents after the ball struck his extended finger while fielding. He has a flexion deformity of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint and cannot actively extend the fingertip. There is tenderness over the dorsum of the DIP joint. Lateral radiograph shows a small avulsion fracture from the dorsal base of the distal phalanx involving less than one-third of the articular surface. The joint is congruent. Regarding mallet finger:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Mallet finger is disruption of the terminal extensor tendon at the DIP joint; it may be tendinous (s...

B

The Doyle classification includes: Type I (closed, with or without small avulsion), Type II (open la...

C

Mallet finger affects the flexor tendon; it causes hyperextension of the DIP; the mechanism is force...

D

Non-operative treatment with continuous extension splinting of the DIP for 6-8 weeks is successful i...

E

Surgical indications include: fractures involving greater than one-third articular surface, palmar s...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option