Going home after your visit
Mallet finger — looking after your splint
How to use your splint so the tip of your finger heals straight.
You have a mallet finger. The tendon that straightens the tip of your finger is injured, so the tip droops. It usually heals well with a splint and does not need an operation. The splint must keep the tip straight for the next few weeks.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Get the finger checked the same day if any of these happen
These can mean a more serious injury, or that the skin or finger is being harmed.
- There is a cut, open wound or graze over the injured finger
- There is blood under the nail, or the nail is loose or torn off
- The skin under the splint becomes sore, broken or smelly
- The fingertip goes numb, or the finger looks pale, blue or cold
- The finger becomes very swollen
- The splint no longer fits properly or keeps slipping off
CALL 999 if the fingertip stays pale, blue or cold, loosen the tape and get help straight away — call 999 if you cannot.
Caring for it
- Wear the splint keeping the fingertip straight all the time — day and night — for 6–8 weeks, then wean off as advised.
- Never let the tip bend, even for a second. If it bends, the healing starts again.
- When washing, rest the finger flat on a surface to keep it straight while you clean, dry and change the splint.
- Keep the finger and the splint clean and dry.
- You can still bend the middle joint of the finger as normal.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen if you can take them and need pain relief.
How it should heal
Most mallet fingers heal well, though a slight droop or small bump may stay at the tip — this rarely causes problems. A hand clinic or hand-therapy review may be arranged to check progress and tell you when to wean off the splint. If the tip bends, the healing time starts again, so keep the splint on.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above