Presentation
The patient tripped and fell at work 4 days ago, he accidentally hit his right hand forcefully against the ground. On examination: tenderness and swelling of the distal two-thirds of the right ring finger.
Patient Data
Displaced avulsed fracture at the base of the distal phalanx with intra-articular extension (mallet finger).
Case Discussion
Mallet finger: refers to damage in the extensor movement of the distal phalanx of the finger, either as a result of injury to the extensor tendon or due to an avulsion fracture at the base of the distal phalanx with dorsal displacement, resulting in the shape of a hammer-like finger due to unopposed flexion at the distal interphalangeal joint.