Mallet finger
Overview
Mallet finger is an injury to the end of the finger, causing the tip to bend. It's a common sports injury and is treated using a splint.
Symptoms
If you have mallet finger the tip of your finger will bend and you will not be able to straighten it. Your finger may also be: painful or tenderswollen or bruised
Treatment
If you have mallet finger, the finger needs to be kept straight to let the injury heal. A doctor or nurse will put the finger in a splint, securing it with tape. You'll still be able to bend your finger at the middle joint. You'll need to: keep the splinted finger dry – the skin inside the splint can be sore if it gets wetwear the splint for up to 8 weeks, only removing it to clean your finger and the splint If the injury does not heal, you may need to wear the splint again for another 8 weeks. Rarely, you may need surgery. If you have mallet finger, you might be able to refer yourself directly to services for help with your condition without seeing a GP. To find out if there are any services in your area: ask the receptionist staff at your GP surgerycheck your GP surgery's websitecontact your local integrated care board (ICB) –find your local ICBsearch online for NHS treatment for mallet finger near you
When to see a doctor
If you think you have mallet finger, there are some things you can do while waiting for medical help. lift your hand up to reduce swelling lift your hand up to reduce swelling take painkillers to help ease the pain take painkillers to help ease the pain remove any rings from the finger remove any rings from the finger