Mallet finger: why extension splinting matters and what “extension lag” means
Surgery & recovery··6 min read·By HandTherapy·Education only; not individualized medical advice.
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Journal articles summarize topics with cited sources for education. Citations are for context, not an endorsement by those organizations. This is not individualized medical or legal advice.
OrthoInfo explains mallet finger as an injury to the extensor tendon at the tip joint and notes that splinting regimens must be followed closely — removing the splint early risks a permanent droop.
Splint discipline beats “toughing it out”
Review the mallet finger condition page and the mallet splint overview with your clinician. NIAMS sports-injury materials remind readers that acute finger and hand injuries can include fractures and deserve professional assessment when deformity or severe pain is present.
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Sources & further reading
- Mallet Finger — AAOS OrthoInfo(accessed 2026-04-26)
- Mallet finger — ASSH HandCare(accessed 2026-04-26)
- Sports injuries — NIAMS (NIH)(accessed 2026-04-26)
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