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Finger injuries

Last updated: April 28, 2021

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Finger injuries are very common and because there are many different possible injuries, only some of the more common flexor and extensor tendon as well as ligament injuries will be covered here. Injury is typically caused by lacerations (work place injury, road traffic accidents) or blunt force (e.g., ball sports, falling). For instance, forced extension of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) can damage the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon and lead to a loss of DIP flexion (Jersey finger). Forced flexion of the DIP causes extensor digitorum (ED) tendon injury, which results in a loss of DIP extension (mallet finger). Rupture/slippage of the central band of the ED tendon is primarily due to laceration or blunt injury and results in a hyperextension of the DIP with flexion of the proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP; Boutonniere deformity). Sudden forced hyperextension and abduction of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) of the thumb can tear the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and cause laxity (Gamekeeper's thumb). While all flexor tendon injuries need to be surgically repaired, most extensor tendon and some ligament injuries can be managed conservatively with splints. Complete laceration or no response to conservative therapy are indications for surgical repair. Postoperative complications of tendon or ligament injuries include adhesions, joint contractures, and chronic joint deformities (e.g., swan-neck deformity, chronic mallet finger). Early recognition and treatment of injuries and their complications is necessary to prevent permanent disability.

Differential diagnoses of finger injuries [1][2][3]
Jersey finger Mallet finger Boutonniere deformity Gamekeeper's thumb (Skier's thumb)
Affected tendon(s) or ligament(s)
  • Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the thumb
Mechanism of injury
  • Sudden hyperextension of a flexed DIP (forced extension)
  • Avulsion injury/rupture of the FDP tendon from its point of insertion
  • Hyperextension and sudden forced abduction of the MCP of the thumb (e.g., falling on the thumb; skiing injury) → UCL tears
Clinical features
  • Pain, swelling of the DIP (palmar aspect)
  • Loss of DIP flexion → the affected finger does not flex when making a fist
  • Loss of extension of the DIP
Treatment
  • Always surgical
    • Primary repair .
    • Tendon graft
  • Conservative: splint in extension position
  • Surgical repair for:
    • Displaced fracture
    • ≥ 45-degree extension deficit
  • Conservative: Thumb spica (splinting)
  • Surgical repair: for persistent deformities (e.g.: repair of the torn UCL; MCP joint fusion)
Possible complications

The differential diagnoses listed here are not exhaustive.

  1. Clavero JA, Alomar X, Monill JM et al. MR Imaging of Ligament and Tendon Injuries of the Fingers. Radiographics. 2002; 22 (2): p.237–256.
  2. Schöffl V, Heid A, Küpper T. Tendon injuries of the hand. World J Orthop. 2012; 3 (6): p.62-69. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v3.i6.62 . | Open in Read by QxMD
  3. Malone JC, Preston KS, Garner HW, Bestic JM, Wessell DE, Peterson JJ. MRI of the hand and fingers. APPLIED RADIOLOGY. 2016 : p.9-21.

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