Long-term results of splintage for mallet finger

Splinting of acute mallet finger injury is widely practiced. Few long term studies of the results have been published. We reviewed 156 mallet finger injuries after such treatment at 6 months and 61 months after injury. At six months the mean extension lag was 7 degrees and the mean range of active flexion was 61 degrees. After 61 months the extension lag was 5 degrees and active flexion was unchanged. In light of the above we do not consider routine long term follow of mallet finger injury to be necessary after treatment with splintage.