Common hand & wrist concerns we treat
- Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
- Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
- Sports injuries: acute or overuse
- Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
- Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve
Mallet Finger
A drooping fingertip from a tendon injury
Mallet finger is the inability to straighten the fingertip after the extensor tendon at the back of the fingertip is torn or pulled off the bone. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
See a specialist this week
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
What sets LAOSS apart
- Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices
- On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
- Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
- Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
- Mallet finger is one of many hand & wrist conditions our specialists evaluate every day.
- Mallet finger is usually treated with a splint worn full-time for about six to eight weeks. Surgery is reserved for certain fractures or fingers that do not respond.
- When a procedure is the right call, we explain every option, recovery timeline, and return-to-activity milestone.
- On-site imaging at most offices and same-day appointments across eight Los Angeles-area locations.
What is mallet finger?
Mallet finger is the inability to straighten the fingertip after the extensor tendon at the back of the fingertip is torn or pulled off the bone. The droop usually shows up right after the injury, and treatment works best when splinting starts early.
Most mallet fingers are treated with a splint that holds the fingertip straight, worn full-time for about six to eight weeks, then at night for a few more. The fingertip must stay straight the whole time, even when changing the splint, or the clock starts over. Surgery is considered when a large piece of bone has broken off, the joint is out of place, or splinting has not worked.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose mallet finger, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
Watch: Mallet Finger
This injury is a stretch or tear of a tendon at the end of a finger or thumb. It causes the tip of your finger or thumb to droop.
Inside the hand & wrist.
The hand and wrist are an intricate stack of small bones, tendons, and nerves that let you grip, pinch, and feel. The median, ulnar, and radial nerves carry sensation and movement from the forearm into the fingers. Most hand and wrist problems are either a tendon issue (trigger finger, De Quervain's), a nerve compression (carpal or cubital tunnel), or arthritis at one of the small joints.
Symptoms and causes of mallet finger
Common symptoms
- Inability to fully straighten the fingertip
- A drooping fingertip
- Pain and swelling at the back of the fingertip
- Bruising at the joint
Common causes
- Jammed finger (caught ball, hitting a hard surface)
- Forced bending of an extended finger
- Tendon avulsion (sometimes with a small bone fragment)
- Sports injury
How we diagnose mallet finger
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for mallet finger typically looks like:
- Detailed history: when it started, what makes it better or worse, what you've already tried
- Focused exam of the hand & wrist: range of motion, stability, strength, specific provocation tests
- On-site imaging at most offices: X-ray for bone, ultrasound or MRI when soft-tissue detail is needed
- A written plan with options ranging from conservative care to surgical procedures, in plain English
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
How we treat mallet finger at LAOSS
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Fingertip splint worn full-time for about six to eight weeks
- Night splinting for a few more weeks afterward
- X-ray to check for a fracture where the tendon attaches
- Skin checks and splint adjustments at follow-up visits
- Hand therapy if the finger is stiff afterward
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
- Pin fixation for a large fracture fragment or a joint that is out of place
- Tendon repair or reconstruction for chronic cases
- Joint fusion for a painful, arthritic fingertip joint
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Hand & wrist care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our hand & wrist specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a hand & wrist specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a hand & wrist specialist.
- Pain or stiffness in the hand & wrist that lasts more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Your hand & wrist recovery roadmap.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Days 0 to 14
Right after care
In the first two weeks we focus on keeping the fingertip splinted straight and calming swelling.
- Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
- Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
- Fingertip kept straight at all times, even during splint changes
- Follow-up scheduled to track healing
- Weeks 2 to 8
Full-time splinting
The splint stays on full-time while the tendon heals, with regular checks of the skin and the fit.
- Splint worn day and night
- Skin checks and splint adjustments
- Free movement of the middle knuckle and the rest of the hand
- Switch to night splinting when your specialist clears it
- Months 2+
Long-term care
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
- Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
- Home program tailored to your sport or job
- Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
- Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
- Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
- Reaction to anesthesia or medications
- Need for additional procedures in some cases
Hand and wrist considerations
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the hand & wrist. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
- Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
- Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
- Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
- Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Meet our hand & wrist doctors in the Greater Los Angeles area
At LAOSS, our hand & wrist specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Care for mallet finger starts here
Don't let mallet finger be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need a splint, hand therapy, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a hand & wrist specialist in Los Angeles.
Common mallet finger questions
- We start with a focused orthopedic exam and detailed history. X-rays are usually done in-office; MRI or ultrasound is ordered when soft-tissue detail is needed. Most patients leave the first visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan.
Don't wait on pain.
Book a visit with a hand & wrist specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
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