Finger injury

[deputydog]

I have injured a tendon in my finger. I believe it is the extendor tendon, DIP?
I have had the finger splinted and purchased a splint for this purpose from your site. I would like to know how best to deal with the injury over the coming weeks as I gather it will be a long recovery.
Thanks

[Ruth]

Hello,

Have you considered speaking to a physio who works with hands (sometimes called a hand therapist)? They would be able to advise you on an appropriate rehabilitation procedure depending on what you actually did to the tendon.

As I don't know what you actually did or who told you to wear a splint, I can't really advise you as to what rehab you should be doing!

Regards,

Ruth

[deputydog]

Hi Ruth
A physio who happened to be watching the rugby match I was playing in advised me to immediately splint the finger and taped it for me there and then. The tip was hanging and I could not move it - no pain. He told me to splint the finger, ensuring that the tip was always supported and extended and then visit my Gp. He said I had damaged the extendor tendon.
I splinted the finger, keeping the tip extended as advised. The GP said yes he agreed with the physio and told me to return in 2 weeks, keeping the finger splinted at all times. He did not offer any other advice.

Thanks for prompt reply.

[Ruth]

Owchies, sounds painful! Did it look like the picture in this one: http://www.eatonhand.com/hw/hw015.htm

I would suggest you definitely need to ask your GP to put you in contact with a hand therapist as from the sounds of your description you will most likely need their specialist advice regarding your rehabilitation. This is particularly important if the finger develops stiffness or you can't fully bend/straighten it once the splint comes off.

I hope this is of some help!

[Dave C]

I had the same injury a few years ago, it was basket ball not rugby however!

As with you I was told to keep the splint on and to never allow the tip of my finger to bend, even when removing the split for washing etc.

Basically the splint was on for 12 weeks and after that some simple 'stretches' for the finger meant it was back to normal a couple of weeks after the splint was off.

It wasa lengthy injury but thankfully have never had any problems with it since.

Dave