Orthopaedic Hand Trauma CH32 (1)

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SECTION 3  | Tendon Injuries

Figure 32.4  Lateral plain radiograph of a bony mallet finger injury.

● ● If there is an open injury, the patient should receive an up-to-date tetanus booster, antibiotics, and thorough irrigation, debridement, and exploration of the wound bed under local anesthesia upon presentation.

DEFINITIVE TREATMENT

■ ■ Nonoperative— There are many iterations of splint immobilization that are utilized for nonoperative management of mallet finger injuries. The primary goal, regardless of splint type, is to hold the DIP joint in extension to oppose the ruptured terminal extensor tendon or bony avulsion in place. ● ● Indications ◆ ◆ Acute (less than 12 weeks) soft tissue injury ◆ ◆ Nondisplaced bony mallet injury