Mallet fracture.

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Abstract

[Indexed for MEDLINE] 6. Mallet Finger Injuries. Beutel BG(1), Waseem M(2). In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 Jan–. 2025 Jul 6. Author information: (1)Kansas City University (2)Weill Cornell Medicine New York and New York Medical College, Valhalla NY A mallet finger typically refers to an extensor tendon avulsion injury at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. This can be the result of a direct, isolated rupture of the terminal extensor tendon or due to a distal phalangeal base fracture. In both cases, the result is an inability to actively extend the DIP joint, leading to a characteristic flexion deformity of the fingertip that is often described as resembling a mallet or hammer. This injury most commonly occurs due to sudden, forceful flexion of an extended DIP joint, eg, when a ball strikes the tip of an outstretched finger.  Copyright © 2026, StatPearls Publishing LLC.