Conveniently located throughout Melbourne and Gippsland
No referral needed
If you’ve injured or are experiencing pain, discomfort, or limited movement with your upper limbs, anywhere from your fingers to your shoulders, you’ve come to the right place.
MALLET FINGER SPLINT TREATMENT
Following a thorough assessment of the injury and the X-ray, Mallet Finger is treated in a water-resistant brace that can breathe but keeps the finger in the correct position. At Action Rehab we fabricate custom mallet anti-swan neck splints that are water resistant, breathable and lightweight.
See below the incorrect and correct treatment for a patient who has tendon mallet finger.
Fig 1: Basic Treatment
A stack splint is being used to treat a tendon mallet finger injury. It does not support the DIP and PIP joints of the finger, leading to possible complications.
Fig 2: Action Rehab Treatment
This breathable and waterproof custom-made fingertip brace by Action Rehab is fitted to a mallet finger injury which has a small fracture or break.
An anti-swan neck splint is being correctly used to treat a tendon mallet finger injury. It shortens the oblique retinaculum ligament allowing the terminal extensor tendon to move back up the finger to heal.
Following thorough assessment of the injury and the X-ray, Mallet Finger is treated in a water resistant brace that can breathe but keeps the finger in the correct position.
Mallet finger injuries with a small fracture or break can be treated in a small custom-made fingertip brace for up to 6 weeks. When the Mallet Finger has a fracture, careful consideration must be given to the X-ray for Mallet Finger so as not to displace or dislocate the joint while splinting. It is really important to have a custom fit brace and not a “stack splint” or an aluminium splint as these can cause many problems and complications.
In a tendon Mallet Finger where there is no bone break or fracture then very careful consideration must be given to the splinting. In order to help the tendon heal, a splint with the middle joint slightly bent and the tip joint held straight (anti swan neck splint) will be fabricated to help the tendon Mallet Finger injury heal. This splint may be worn for up to 8 weeks however treatment will vary.
See below tendon Mallet Finger with a light-weight, custom fit anti-swan neck splint.
This breathable and waterproof custom-made fingertip brace by Action Rehab is fitted to a mallet finger injury which has a small fracture or break.
At Action Rehab, we fabricate custom mallet anti-swan neck splints that are water resistant, breathable and lightweig
See below the incorrect and correct treatment for a patient who has tendon mallet finger.
Fig 1: Basic Treatment
A stack splint is being used to treat a tendon mallet finger injury. It does not support the DIP and PIP joints of the finger, leading to possible complications.
Fig 2: Action Rehab Treatment
An anti-swan neck splint is being correctly used to treat a tendon mallet finger injury. It shortens the oblique retinaculum ligament allowing the terminal extensor tendon to move back up the finger to heal.
WHAT IS MALLET FINGER?
Mallet finger injuries with a small fracture or break can be treated in a small custom-made fingertip brace for up to 6 weeks. When the Mallet Finger has a fracture, careful consideration must be given to the X-ray for Mallet Finger so as not to displace or dislocate the joint while splinting. It is really important to have a custom fit brace and not a “stack splint” or an aluminium splint as these can cause many problems and complications.
In a tendon Mallet Finger where there is no bone break or fracture then very careful consideration must be given to the splinting. In order to help the tendon heal, a splint with the middle joint slightly bent and the tip joint held straight (anti swan neck splint) will be fabricated to help the tendon Mallet Finger injury heal. This splint may be worn for up to 8 weeks however treatment will vary.
DOES MALLET FINGER REQUIRE SURGERY?
In most cases Mallet Finger does not require surgery and in some cases surgery can actually make the Mallet Finger worse. In order to decide whether a Mallet Finger injury should have surgery, the Hand Therapist at Action Rehab will check your X-ray. If there is subluxation of the joint (dislocation), then in those cases surgery may be required. This takes careful examination and can only be done by your experienced Action Rehab Hand Therapist or Physiotherapist. If surgery is required the Action Rehab therapist will discuss with your General Practitioner and arrange a surgical opinion from one of experienced hand surgery colleagues.
A subluxation of the finger joint (dislocation) may require surgery.
To Book Call Us On 1300 762 227
Call us on 1300 762 227 for an appointment, or schedule an appointment online by clicking the button below.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT THERAPIST FOR MALLET FINGER
Mallet Finger is complex and can lead to serious complications and frustrations if not treated appropriately.
Choosing the right hand Therapist starts with them being able to read your X-rays and then fabricate the right brace for you. The therapists at Action Rehab are experienced in assessing and reading X-rays.
Our therapists do regular GP and Emergency Doctor training and can advise on the most appropriate action for your Mallet Finger treatment.
Known for providing treatment for mallet finger and other hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder injuries Action Rehab are the hand therapists that Melbourne trusts.
MALLET FINGER FAQS
Mallet Finger is the most common injury seen at Action Rehab. Mallet Finger is a common sports related injury and Action Rehab are experts in sports trauma.
Mallet finger is caused by a ball or a force to the end of the finger while a person is trying to straighten it.
Mallet finger takes about 6-8 weeks to recover but depending on the type of mallet (fracture or not) it may take longer. Weirdly Mallet Finger injuries without a fracture take longer to heal
No generally Mallet Finger does not require surgery and in some cases surgery can make it worse. Action Rehab therapists can assess the X-ray and can advise if your Mallet Finger injury needs surgery.
Mallet finger can be a serious injury. You should always see a Hand Therapist if you have a Mallet Finger injury because they are much more complicated than you think.
No it will not go away. It will get worse. You will get a Swan Neck deformity and possibly arthritis if you do not treat it. Treatment is always required with Mallet Finger.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT NOW
Action Rehab provide assessment and treatment for all conditions relating to the upper limb, include scaphoid fractures. Come and see our highly qualified and friendly staff today at a location convenient to you.