Which splint is used for mallet finger?

Which splint is used for mallet finger?

• A. PIP extension splint
• B. DIP extension splint
• C. Dorsal blocking splint
• D. Thumb spica

Answer: (B)

Mallet finger is an injury to the terminal extensor tendon at the distal interphalangeal joint, which causes the fingertip to droop in flexion. Healing requires keeping the DIP joint in full extension so the tendon (or tendon-bone avulsion) can reattach and repair without being pulled into flexion. A DIP extension splint does exactly that: it immobilizes the DIP in extension continuously, allowing the injured structure to heal over several weeks. Other splints target different joints or injuries. Immobilizing the PIP with a PIP extension splint would not address the DIP injury. A dorsal blocking splint is used for other extensor mechanism injuries to protect specific motions or joints (not the standard treatment for mallet finger). A thumb spica is for the thumb, not the finger.

Mallet finger is an injury to the terminal extensor tendon at the distal interphalangeal joint, which causes the fingertip to droop in flexion. Healing requires keeping the DIP joint in full extension so the tendon (or tendon-bone avulsion) can reattach and repair without being pulled into flexion. A DIP extension splint does exactly that: it immobilizes the DIP in extension continuously, allowing the injured structure to heal over several weeks.

Other splints target different joints or injuries. Immobilizing the PIP with a PIP extension splint would not address the DIP injury. A dorsal blocking splint is used for other extensor mechanism injuries to protect specific motions or joints (not the standard treatment for mallet finger). A thumb spica is for the thumb, not the finger.