About your visit
We have examined you and have ascertained that you have a mallet finger. A splint has been placed on your finger to keep the joint from moving. You will have to keep the splint on for six weeks. Your general practitioner will remove the splint.
When you get home
Keep the splint on 24 hours a day
It is important that you do not bend the joint while it heals. Therefore you must keep the splint on at all times. If the splint comes off - even briefly - try to put it back on yourself or contact your general practitioner to help you.
If the splint comes off, the six weeks of treatment will start again.
Contact your general practitioner if the splint breaks or loosens
If the splint fits correctly, the healthy joints should be able to bend unhindered while the injured joint remains stationary. It is important that the splint fits tightly around your finger.
Contact your general practitioner if the splint moves, bends or causes irritation, or if it loosens.
Take pain-relieving medicine if you are in pain
You should take pain-relieving medicine if you are in pain. Pain-relieving medicine can be bought over the counter. Take only the amount of pain reliever recommended on the package. Contact your general practitioner if you need help managing the pain.
After six weeks, continue to use the splint when sleeping
After six weeks, once the splint has been removed by your general practitioner, continue to use the splint when you sleep and exercise. If the joint has not straightened after eight weeks, you may have to continue using the splint for 6 additional weeks. Speak to your general practitioner about this.
Avoid straining your finger
Even though the splint has been removed, do not over-exert your finger in daily activities and exercise. Speak to your general practitioner about when you can begin using your finger normally again. We recommend that you tape your finger or use a splint if you play any sports.
Your finger may be red and tender for a long time
You can expect your finger to remain red and tender at the tip for up to a year after treatment.
Exercises
Rehabilitation
Once the splint has been removed, you can begin exercising your finger to regain strength and mobility.
Speak to your general practitioner about when you can begin stretching and bending your finger. Complete the exercises at least four times a day and repeat each exercise at least twenty times. It is okay if the exercises cause a bit of pain, but your finger should not swell. Plan your exercises around times when your pain relievers are in full effect. If your finger begins to hurt while doing the exercises, take a 30 minute break and then continue doing the exercises.
Exercise 1
- Clench and stretch all your fingers, except your thumb.
You can see a video of the exercises on https://regionh.dk/ar9 or hold your smartphone camera over this QR code:
Worth knowing
Your personal data
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