HWN Suggests

Minor Care Series: Finger Tendon Injuries

In the emergency department, patients affected by jersey finger usually present with edema and pain overlying the volar aspect of the DIP and distal phalanx. On physical exam, with isolation of the distal phalanx by holding proximal phalanx in extension, the patient will not be able to actively flex the distal phalanx. Another way to test function of distal phalanx flexion is to instruct the patient to make a fist; if the patient’s distal phalanx of the affected finger protrudes in the palm of their hand, the concern for jersey finger should increase.

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Articles of Interest

A review of mallet finger and jersey finger injuries in the athlete

Most mallet finger injuries will heal with non-operative treatment over a period of 8–12 weeks, even when treatment is delayed up to 3–4 months. An acute diagnosis of jersey finger requires surgical treatment and generally means 8–12 weeks of inability to compete in most contact sports.

Jersey Finger

Sudden forcible extension of an actively flexed finger. Classically occurs in sports such as soccer or rugby, where a player grabs another player’s jersey as they pull away. Most commonly occurs in the ring finger (?why). The tendon avulses from its attachment to the distal phalanx and may retract proximally towards the PIP joint or even further into the palm.

Pediatric Jersey Finger, It’s More Than Just an Adult Injury; A Case Review

Flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon avulsions (Jersey Finger Injury), are a recognized injury in hand surgery. They are most commonly associated with adult injuries with forced hyperextension of the distal phalanx against forced flexion of the finger. There are notable differences between the pediatric and the adult skeleton, and one of the major differences is the presence of physis (growth plates) and the strength to failure of a growth plate compared to healthy adult bone.

This is a Jersey Finger

Video presentation.

Resources

Physiopedia

Jersey finger (rugby finger) is an avulsion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon (FDP) from its distal insertion on the distal phalanx (zone I). The ring finger is most commonly affected. Since the ring finger protrudes the farthest in the grasping position, it is more susceptible to FDP avulsion causing an inability to flex at the DIPJ.

StatPearls

Jersey finger (also known as rugby finger) is an avulsion of the flexor digitorium profundus tendon (FDP) from its distal insertion on the distal phalanx (zone. The mechanism of injury is typically a forced extension of a flexed digit, such as trying to grab the jersey of an opponent during a high-speed sporting event.