All conditions
Condition
Mallet finger
A fingertip that can't fully straighten on its own after a sudden bending force injures the extensor tendon at the end joint (the DIP joint).
Common triggers
- Jamming a finger
- Catching a ball with a fingertip
- Tucking in bedsheets and snagging a fingertip
When to seek care
- Inability to lift the fingertip on its own
- Bruising or pain at the back of the fingertip
- An open cut over the joint after injury
Related care
Splints often used
Sources
- Mallet Finger — AAOS OrthoInfo(accessed 2026-04-22)