Mallet Finger
A fingertip that droops and will not straighten is a mallet finger and the splint plus how you wear it make all the difference. Assessment and splinting to get the tip working again, recent or long-standing.
- Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
- Consultant Hand Therapist
- Hand, wrist & upper limb specialist
What is Mallet Finger?
Mallet finger is an injury to the extensor tendon at the tip of the finger or thumb. This tendon is responsible for straightening the end joint. When it is damaged, the fingertip droops and cannot be actively straightened.
The injury most commonly occurs when a ball or other object strikes the tip of an outstretched finger, forcibly bending it downwards. It can also result from a cut across the back of the finger. In older patients, a mallet injury can occur from a trivial knock. Without appropriate treatment, mallet finger can lead to permanent deformity and reduced function.
What you might notice
- Drooping or 'dropped' fingertip that cannot be actively straightened
- Pain and tenderness at the thumb or fingertip, particularly along the back
- Swelling and bruising over the end joint (DIP joint)
- Difficulty with fine-motor tasks requiring full finger extension
- In some cases, a visible deformity or bump at the back of the finger if a fracture is present
Why it happens
- Direct blow to the tip of the finger, most commonly from a ball sport such as cricket, netball or volleyball
- Forced bending of an outstretched finger during routine activities
- Cut across the back of the fingertip, severing the tendon
- Avulsion fracture, where the tendon pulls off a small fragment of bone at the fingertip
- Rheumatoid arthritis, weakening the extensor tendon over time
How it's treated
After a thorough assessment, a personalised treatment plan is built around your needs and goals.
The primary treatment for mallet finger or mallet thumb is continuous splinting of the tip in a straight position for 6–8 weeks. Ms Razo custom fabricates a splint precisely fitted to your injured digit to maintain the correct position for tendon healing.
Where the injury involves a laceration, specialist wound care and early scar management are incorporated to optimise healing and minimise long-term scarring.
Following the splinting period, a structured therpeutic activity and exercise programme is introduced to gradually restore range of motion and strength to the finger while protecting the healing tendon.
Ms Razo guides return to work, sport and daily activities through a progressive rehabilitation plan, monitoring for any recurrence of deformity throughout the recovery process.
Common questions
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Most mallet finger and thumb injuries require 6–8 weeks of continuous splinting, followed by a further period of graded exercise and rehabilitation. Total recovery time is typically 10–14 weeks, though this varies depending on the severity of the injury and patient compliance with splinting.
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No. Self-referral is welcome. You can book directly through the appointments page without a GP referral letter.
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If left untreated, a mallet injury can result in permanent deformity of the thumb or finger, with the tip remaining in a drooped position. In some cases, a secondary 'swan neck' deformity can develop in the finger. Early treatment gives the best outcomes.
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The vast majority of mallet finger and thumb injuries are successfully treated without surgery using splinting and Hand Therapy. Surgery is generally only considered if conservative treatment fails or if there is a large fracture fragment affecting joint stability.
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Clinically reviewed by Ms Michelle Razo CHT · May 2026