Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Providing first aid
• Part 2 of 2: Get professional medical attention
• Warnings

A hammer finger is a condition in which the tendon in the outer finger joint is torn, causing the fingertip to hang down. Also called mallet finger, this injury is a typical sports injury. However, any movement that bends the joint more than it should can cause a hammer finger. You can even get a hammer finger when making a bed.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Providing first aid

1. Identify the injury. First you should try to determine if you actually have a hammer finger. If you have a hammer finger, the last finger joint (the joint closest to your nail) will hurt. The joint will be bent downwards and will not move, making it impossible for you to fully extend your finger.
2. Apply ice immediately. Ice will help relieve swelling and pain in the joint. However, you shouldn't rub your skin with the ice. Wrap a towel around the ice or grab a bag of frozen vegetables and place it on the joint.
3. Take medicine to relieve the pain. If you are in severe pain, there are some over-the-counter medications that can help relieve your discomfort. These are painkillers such as Advil, Sarixell, Aleve and paracetamol. Take this during the healing process if the pain persists. These drugs (with the exception of paracetamol) also have an anti-inflammatory effect, so that they not only soothe pain but also swelling.
4. Make a temporary splint. You need to see a doctor to get a professionally made splint. Before seeing a doctor, however, you can try making your own splint to keep your finger straight. Grab a popsicle stick and place it along the bottom of your finger. Wrap tape around your finger and the object so that the tape holds your finger firmly against the stick and forms a kind of cushion for your finger. The goal is to keep your fingertip straight.
   • If you can bend your finger even slightly, it can slow down the healing process. Any straight, solid object can act as a splint, as long as it is strong enough to keep your finger in the correct position. It is also necessary for the tape to be wrapped tightly around your finger so that you cannot move your finger and thus cannot bend it. However, you should not wrap the tape so tightly around your finger that it cuts off your circulation or makes you lose sensation in your finger, or discolor it.

Part 2 of 2: Get professional medical attention

1. See a doctor immediately. The sooner you can see a doctor for a professionally made splint, the faster the injury will heal. You should try to see a doctor within a few days, but it is best to do this the same day. The doctor will take an X-ray and determine whether the tendon is ruptured and whether a piece of bone has also been ruptured. He or she will also prescribe treatment. Usually this is a splint.
   • In rare cases where wearing a splint prevents you from doing your job properly (for example, if you are a surgeon), it is possible to have a metal pin inserted into your finger to keep it straight.
2. Choose a splint. There are different types of splints. All these splints limit your ability to use your finger in a different way. Discuss your habits and profession with your doctor so he can better understand which splint is best for you. Possibilities include the Stack splint, the aluminum splint and the Oval-8 finger splint. The last of these three covers your finger the least and is usually the least invasive.
3. Wear your splint correctly. Make sure the splint is tight enough to keep your finger completely straight. If your finger is bent, you can develop painful pressure marks on your knuckle. Make sure the tape is not so tight that your fingertip feels uncomfortable or turns purple.
4. Continue to wear the splint until your doctor tells you otherwise. It may be uncomfortable, but it is important that you keep your finger straight all the time. If you bend your finger even slightly, the healing tendon may tear again. When that happens, you may have to start all over again with regard to the healing process.
   • It can be especially tempting to remove your splint when you shower. One of the advantages of the Oval-8 finger splint is that it can get wet. If you have another splint, put your finger in a plastic bag or use a glove.
5. See your doctor for a follow-up examination. After about six to eight weeks, your doctor will likely adjust your treatment. As you improve, you may need to wear the splint less often. For example, your doctor may tell you to only wear the splint at night.
6. Have surgery. It is rarely necessary to have a hammer finger surgically fixed. However, if the X-ray shows that your bone was also broken in the injury, you may need surgery. In other cases, surgery is not recommended. Surgery usually does not yield a better result than less invasive treatment with a splint. Sometimes an operation even produces a worse result.
   • You will need to see your doctor again about ten days after surgery to have the stitches removed. Your doctor will also check how well the injury is healing.

Warnings

• The healing process will take some time. You can expect to wear the splint for at least six weeks. This may be even longer, but it depends on your progress.