Which joint is immobilized to treat a mallet finger?

Study for the NBCOT Hand Injuries and Intervention Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question offers hints and explanations. Get ready for success!

Multiple Choice

Which joint is immobilized to treat a mallet finger?

In mallet finger, the terminal extensor tendon at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint is torn or avulsed, so the DIP droops into flexion. Healing requires keeping the DIP in a straightened position to allow the tendon to reattach and repair without being pulled into flexion. Immobilizing the DIP joint in extension with a splint maintains proper alignment and length of the tendon during healing (usually several weeks), while the rest of the finger can move as tolerated. Immobilizing the PIP or wrist wouldn’t address the torn extensor mechanism at the DIP, and immobilizing the DIP in flexion would prevent proper tendon healing.

In mallet finger, the terminal extensor tendon at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint is torn or avulsed, so the DIP droops into flexion. Healing requires keeping the DIP in a straightened position to allow the tendon to reattach and repair without being pulled into flexion. Immobilizing the DIP joint in extension with a splint maintains proper alignment and length of the tendon during healing (usually several weeks), while the rest of the finger can move as tolerated. Immobilizing the PIP or wrist wouldn’t address the torn extensor mechanism at the DIP, and immobilizing the DIP in flexion would prevent proper tendon healing.

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