Fingertip droop
The end joint rests bent and cannot be actively straightened.
Fingertip extensor injury · Sports and trauma
Mallet Finger Treatment in Manchester
A fingertip that suddenly droops after a ball strike, jam or cut may be a mallet finger. Early assessment confirms whether the tendon alone is injured or a bone fragment is involved and helps fit a splint that holds the tip in the correct position throughout healing.
Fingertip droopSports injuryCannot straighten tipSwelling or bruising
Manchester · UKUK-trained specialist · Manchester, UAE & UK consultations
Patient guideSymptoms → Diagnosis → Treatment → Recovery
Specialist hand & wrist assessment
What is it?
Injury to the tendon that straightens the fingertip, sometimes with a small fracture.
Key sign
The fingertip droops and cannot be actively held straight.
Main treatment
Continuous extension splinting, usually for 6–8 weeks, in most cases.
When surgery?
Selected open injuries, large displaced fractures, joint subluxation or failed splint treatment.
Understanding the condition
What is mallet finger?
Mallet finger occurs when the terminal extensor tendon at the fingertip is stretched, torn or pulled off with a fragment of bone. It often follows a ball striking the end of the finger.
The fingertip bends down and cannot be actively straightened, although it can usually be lifted into position with the other hand.
Clear diagnosis before treatmentSimilar symptoms can arise from the neck, elbow, wrist, tendons or joints. The examination is designed to locate the true source.
What patients may notice
Symptoms worth checking early.
Symptoms vary with the tendon or finger structure involved and how long function has been affected. Persistent locking, weakness, deformity or loss of movement deserves specialist assessment.
Pain and swelling
Tenderness, bruising and swelling occur around the fingertip joint.
Recent jam or ball strike
A direct blow commonly forces the tip downward.
Cut over the fingertip joint
An open injury may divide the tendon and needs urgent care.
Nail or skin pressure
An ill-fitting splint can cause skin breakdown and needs adjustment.
Developing swan-neck posture
Long-standing imbalance can affect the middle joint in some patients.
Why it happens
How mallet finger happens
A useful consultation connects the symptom pattern to the exact tendon, pulley or joint involved—not just the label.
Ball or sports impact
A fast object strikes the fingertip and forces it to bend.
Household or workplace jam
The tip can be caught or struck during everyday activity.
Open laceration
A cut across the back of the fingertip joint can divide the tendon.
Bony avulsion
The tendon may pull off a fragment of the distal phalanx.
Focused diagnosis
Find the structure, the injury and the severity.
The examination checks active extension, skin condition, joint alignment and whether the injury is closed, open or associated with fracture.
Bring to your appointmentPrevious reports, imaging, operation notes, splints and information about work or activities that trigger symptoms.
Injury history
Timing and mechanism help distinguish acute from chronic injury.
Extension examination
The degree of droop and passive correction are recorded.
X-ray
X-rays assess for an avulsion fracture and joint subluxation.
Splint fitting assessment
The skin and joint are checked to select a safe, effective splint position.
Treatment choices
Start with the option that fits the diagnosis.
Surgery is not automatic. Treatment is matched to the exact tendon or finger problem, symptom severity, function and the patient’s goals.
Non-surgical care
Reduce irritation, protect function and review progress.
- Full-time extension splintThe fingertip joint is held straight continuously, commonly for 6–8 weeks.
- Keep other joints movingThe middle joint remains free so stiffness is reduced.
- Careful splint changesThe fingertip must stay supported and straight during hygiene and skin checks.
- Skin monitoringRedness, pressure areas or moisture problems require splint review.
- Night protection after full-time phaseA further period of night splinting may be advised.
Surgical pathway
Stabilise the fingertip when splinting alone is not enough.
- Open tendon repairAn open laceration may require repair and wound treatment.
- Fracture fixationA large displaced fragment or unstable joint may require fixation.
- Pinning in selected casesThe joint may be temporarily stabilised when splinting is unsuitable or alignment is unstable.
- Reconstruction for chronic deformityLate cases are assessed individually and may need different procedures.
Surgery when appropriate
Mallet finger surgery
Most mallet fingers are treated without surgery. Surgery is reserved for selected open injuries, unstable or displaced fractures, joint subluxation, failed splinting or complex chronic deformity.
- Assess tendon, bone fragment and joint alignment
- Treat any open wound urgently
- Stabilise or repair the injured structure when indicated
- Protect the fingertip in a splint or pin
- Begin controlled rehabilitation after adequate healing
Realistic expectationsEven with correct treatment, a small residual droop or bump may remain. The main goals are useful extension, joint alignment, comfort and function.
Specialist pathwayDiagnosis → Procedure → Therapy → Recovery
Recovery pathway
Healing is staged—not rushed.
Timelines are guides only. The diagnosis, procedure, wound, therapy programme, job and associated injuries all influence recovery.
First 6–8 weeks
The fingertip is kept straight continuously in the prescribed splint.
After full-time splinting
Movement begins gradually only if the tendon can hold position.
Night splint phase
Night or activity splinting may continue for several additional weeks.
Longer term
Swelling, skin sensitivity and a small extension lag may continue to improve over months.
4.96/555 verified reviewsWhy consult Dr. Arshad
A clear diagnosis. Practical options. A plan built around you.
Dr. Shoaib Arshad is a fellowship-trained consultant orthopaedic hand and wrist surgeon with UK specialist training and more than 17 years in orthopaedic surgery.
Focused hand, wrist and upper-limb assessmentNon-surgical and surgical treatment pathwaysConsultations in Manchester and across the UK, and at Healthpoint Abu Dhabi
Meet Dr. Arshad ↗Questions patients ask
Mallet Finger FAQs.
General information only. Your diagnosis and treatment plan should be based on an individual medical assessment.
Why must the splint stay on all the time?+
If the fingertip bends during the healing period, the tendon ends can separate and the splinting period may need to restart.
Can I remove the splint to wash?+
Only while the fingertip is fully supported in extension. Your therapist should show you the safest method.
Does every mallet fracture need surgery?+
No. Many bony mallet injuries heal with splinting. Surgery depends on fragment size, displacement and joint alignment.
Will the finger look completely normal?+
A small bump or residual droop can remain even after successful treatment, but useful function is often restored.
Do you treat sports-related mallet finger in Manchester?+
Yes. Dr. Arshad assesses acute and chronic mallet injuries in Manchester, UK and during UK availability.
Medical referencesPatient information sources used for this guide
Manchester · UK & Abu Dhabi consultation availability
Ready for a clear tendon and finger assessment?
Book a specialist consultation and bring any previous imaging, reports, splints or treatment information.