Mechanism
1. Usually dorsal dislocation
2. Often occurs when ball strikes tip of finger
Differential Diagnosis
1. Mallet finger (Extensor tendon rupture)
Management: Reduction
1. Digital Nerve Block
2. Apply traction while hyperextending dip joint
3. Apply pressure to base of distal phalanx
4. Return phalanx to position by flexing dip joint
Management: Post-Reduction
1. Post-reduction joint assessment
  1. Assess joint range of motion
  2. Assess collateral ligaments with DIP flexed
2. Immobilization
  1. Dorsal splint for 2 weeks in 20-30 degrees of flexion
Complications
1. Often associated with open Fractures

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This page was written by Scott Moses, MD. This page was last revised before 5/10/08, prior to consistent tracking of revision date. This page was last published on 6/1/2008. Please send comments and questions to the editor. Contact information may be found on the page About the Family Practice Notebook. These pages are best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0.