24/12/2025
🖐️ Mallet Finger: It’s Not “Just a Bent Finger”
You might notice that the tip of your finger suddenly droops and you can’t fully straighten it—
often after a small injury like catching a ball or bumping your hand.
Many people think:
👉 “It’ll straighten on its own.”
👉 “It doesn’t hurt much, so it’s fine.”
But mallet finger is a tendon injury, and how you manage it early matters.
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🧠 What is Mallet Finger?
Mallet finger happens when the extensor tendon at the tip of the finger is injured, sometimes with a small avulsion fracture.
As a result:
• The fingertip stays bent
• Active straightening becomes difficult or impossible
• The joint may swell or become stiff over time
📌 Pain may be mild, but the loss of function is real.
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🩺 Why proper management is important
Without correct treatment, mallet finger may lead to:
• Permanent finger droop
• Joint stiffness
• Reduced grip and hand function
• Secondary deformities (e.g. swan neck deformity)
Early care helps the tendon heal in the correct length and position.
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👐 How physiotherapy helps
Physiotherapy focuses on healing, protection, and function:
• Education on correct splint use (DIP joint in extension)
• Monitoring skin, swelling, and joint alignment
• Maintaining movement in unaffected joints
• Gradual, guided return to finger movement after immobilization
• Preventing stiffness and overuse of neighboring fingers
🎯 The goal:
Restore function without overstressing the healing tendon
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⏳ Splinting matters (a lot)
For most mallet fingers:
• Continuous splinting for 6–8 weeks
• The fingertip must stay straight at all times
• Even brief bending can delay healing
📌 Consistency is more important than force.
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⚠️ Common mistakes
❌ Removing the splint “just for a moment”
❌ Forcing the finger straight
❌ Starting exercises too early
❌ Ignoring swelling or skin irritation
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🌱 A gentle reminder
Mallet finger may look small,
but it requires patience, protection, and guidance.
With proper physiotherapy care,
most people regain good function and confidence in their hand again.
Visit us for more information 📲📲📲
1) Oh Physiotherapy (Bayan Lepas branch)
1-2-20 Kompleks I-Avenue, Bukit Jambul, Bayan Lepas, Penang.
☎️04-6410850
2) Lo Physiotherapy (Tanjong Tokong branch)
C-1-6 Vantage (Level 1), Jalan Desiran Tanjong, 10470 Tanjong Tokong.
☎️016-9341230/ 012-5297825
3) Lo Physiotherapy (Butterworth branch)
Block A-79, Jalan Raja Uda, Pusat Perniagaan Raja Uda,12300 Butterworth.
☎️016-8869934
4) Lo Physiotherapy(Georgetown Specialist Hospital branch)
12A, Jalan Masjid Negeri, 11900, Georgetown,Penang.
☎️017-9123081
5) Lo Physiotherapy (Kek Lok Si Charitable Hospital branch)
623, Jalan Balik Pulau, Penang Ayer Itam, 11500 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang.
☎️016-5293996
6) Oh Physiotherapy (B BRAUN Factory branch)
Bayan Lepas Industrial Park, 10810 Bayan Baru.
☎️0164337780