title: A simple effective splinting technique for the mallet finger.
abstract: We describe an inexpensive, simple, and effective technique for the closed treatment of mallet fingers. This technique splints the mallet finger in 0 degrees of extension. It is simple, readily reproducible, and easy to use, requiring materials that are readily available to any physician. Thirty-seven patients, ages 21 to 65 years, presented with a closed mallet finger injury at day zero to 5 months after injury. Ten of these patients had a fracture. All were treated with this splinting technique. We report excellent results in 35 of 37 patients, who recovered either complete or near-complete active extension. Our results compare favorably with results from other techniques and splints.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.forename: G K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000628:therapy; D005385:Fingers / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013165:Splints