title: Functional outcome and satisfaction with a "self-care" protocol for the management of mallet finger injuries: a case-series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mallet finger injuries are usually successfully treated non-operatively with a splint. Most patients are reviewed at least twice in a clinic after the initial presentation in A&E. A new protocol promoting "self-care" was introduced at our institution. Patients were provided with structured verbal and written information, and given access to a telephone helpline.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective electronic patient record was used to identify all patients who presented to the emergency department with a mallet finger with a minimum six month follow-up. A satisfaction and patient reported outcome measure was administered via a postal questionnaire. The response rate was 36/47 (77%).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median QuickDASH score was 2.3 (IQR 0 to 4.6). All patients were satisfied with the treatment plan provided. Nine used the helpline and all were satisfied with information given. Although 13 patients reported some extensor lag, or bump, they had no functional limitation. Seven patients were reviewed by the general practitioner or other clinicians during their treatment period for issues such a skin care, splint size changes or sickness certification. Five were subsequently reviewed at the end of their treatment period in a clinic at their request, or their general practitioner, but did not require further surgical intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-care for mallet finger injuries, with adequate patient information and telephone back-up, leads to acceptable functional results and satisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  III.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0SF UK.
authors.forename: Katriona
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brooksbank
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0SF UK.
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0SF UK.
authors.forename: Iain C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Anthony
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0SF UK.
authors.forename: Alisdair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gilmour
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0SF UK.
authors.forename: Margaret P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Nugent
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, 84 Castle Street, Glasgow, G4 0SF UK.
authors.forename: Lech A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Rymaszewski
keywords: Extensor tendon; Fracture clinic redesign; Mallet finger; Self-care; Service redesign