MALLET FINGER - RESULTS OF EARLY VERSUS DELAYED CLOSED TREATMENT

The efficacy of continuous splinting was retrospectively compared in t wo populations of 40 patients with soft tissue and bony mallet finger whose treatment was initiated within 2 weeks after injury (early) or m ore than 4 weeks after trauma (delayed). Splint treatment was successf ul in restoring active extension (with no more than 10 degrees extenso r lag) in 17 of 21 patients in the early group and 15 of 19 patients i n the delayed group. Neither the presence or absence of dorsal lip fra cture less than one third of the articular surface of the distal phala nx nor the type of splint used affected the final outcome. Splinting w as as effective in the delayed treatment population as it was in the e arly treatment population.