Conservative treatment of mallet thumb

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Hand Surgery
• Traumatology

Background:

• Mallet thumb injuries, involving the extensor tendon of the thumb, can result from trauma.
• Conservative management is a key consideration for these injuries.
• The Stack splint is a recognized orthotic device for thumb immobilization.

Observation:

• This study reports on four cases of mallet thumb treated conservatively.
• Two cases involved a direct cut to the extensor tendon, while two involved tendon avulsion.
• All patients were treated using the Stack splint to immobilize the interphalangeal joint in extension.

Findings:

• A treatment protocol involving 8 weeks of continuous splinting followed by 2 weeks of night splinting was implemented.
• All four patients achieved an excellent range of motion in their thumbs after 6 months of follow-up.
• The conservative approach demonstrated successful outcomes in mallet thumb cases.

Implications:

• Conservative management with the Stack splint is a viable and effective treatment for mallet thumb injuries.
• This splinting protocol can restore full thumb function and range of motion.
• Further research could explore long-term outcomes and compare this method with surgical interventions.