Reviewed by Dr Jessica Gunawan and Physician Brandon Yew

5 Steps to Straighten a Mallet Finger

Published December 28, 2022| 5 min read

A mallet finger is when the tip of the finger involuntarily bends inward towards the palm. Find out how to treat this injury.

Extensor tendons are fibrous cords that allow you to straighten your fingers and wrists. Injury in the top joint of your finger can cause a tear in this tendon, which connects the muscle to the finger bone. The result is a mallet finger where the finger’s tip bends inward towards the palm, unable to straighten.

Baseball players often end up with a mallet finger (also called baseball finger) because of the frequency and impact of catching fastballs half as fast as a helicopter. But anyone can get a mallet finger from all types of force or trauma.

Mallet Finger in TCM

Close-up of a mallet finger extended out while other fingers are folded into a fist, against grey background. — A tear on the extensor tendon of the topmost finger joint can result in a mallet finger, also known as a baseball finger.

In the absence of physical injury, internal imbalance due to pathogenic factors may cause a mallet finger, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Real Health Medical Senior TCM physician Brandon Yew explains, “Pathogenic factors can include Wind, Cold, Fire, Dampness and blood clots. These impede qi (vital energy, 气) and Blood (xue, 血) circulation within the Liver and Kidney meridian channels.”

Physician Yew adds, “In TCM, the Liver and Kidneys govern the sinews and joints, respectively. The functional disorders of the two organs can affect the proper functioning of the finger tendon and joints, potentially leading to a mallet finger.”

Treatments for Mallet Finger

The goal of mallet finger treatment is to correct the malfunctioning of the extensor tendon. Here are steps to take if you have a mallet finger.

1. Reduce swelling and inflammation

Apply an ice pack to the injury to reduce the inflammation. Keep the affected finger above the level of your heart to further ease the swelling. If the pain is unbearable, you can take over-the-counter pain medication like paracetamol or ibuprofen.

2. Put the finger in a splint

It’s best to ask a healthcare professional how to apply a splint on a mallet finger. A splint can keep the finger straightened until the tendon heals, which can take about six to eight weeks.

It’s also important to keep the finger dry and clean. Remove the splint to wash and dry the finger at least once daily. Avoid bending the joint by placing your finger flat on the table while cleaning. If your job requires using your hands, you should take time off or temporarily modify your work.

3. Seek physical therapy

Even with your finger in a splint, you should be able to bend and straighten the unaffected finger joints. Follow hand exercise instructions from your therapist to prevent stiffness.

4. Undergo acupuncture

Close-up of acupuncturist hand applying acupuncture needle on he gu acupoint on patient’s hand, against a white towel. — *He gu* (LI4, 合谷) is one of the acupoints used in acupuncture to treat a mallet finger.

A study published in Integrative Medicine Research showed that mini-scalpel acupuncture (a non-invasive acupuncture technique invented in China that uses a thicker and blunt instrument, not commonly practised outside China) improved hand osteoarthritis symptoms and helped reduce painful swelling.

Below is a list of localised acupoints on the hand that can help recovery from a mallet finger:

An illustration of a left hand, showing he gu (LI4) acupressure point — He gu is located on the back of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones. It helps dispel pathogens and restores and enhances qi and blood circulation within the meridians.

An illustration of zhong zhu (SJ3) acupoint for soothing mallet finger. — Located n the dorsum of the hand, in the depression between the 4th and 5th metacarpal bones, proximal to the 4th metacarpophalangeal joint.

When a fist is made, the point is located where the tip of the little finger rests on the palm.

On the lateral side of the upper arm, just over and in front of the insertion of the deltoid muscle.

Nei guan is located on the front of the forearm, 3-fingers breadth above the transverse crease of the wrist. It restores and enhances the heart’s function for improved qi and blood circulation within the meridians.

On the dorsal aspect of the forearm, on the line connecting yang chi (SJ4) and the tip of the elbow, two finger-breadths above the transverse crease of the wrist between the ulna and radius bones.

He gu (LI4, 合谷)
Zhong zhu (SJ3, 中渚)
Shao fu (HT8, 少府)
Lao gong (PC8, 劳宫)
Nei guan (PC6, 内关)

Wai guan (SJ5, 外关)

Here are some of the distal acupoints that address internal imbalances:

An illustration of san yin jiao acupoint to help support the kidney in an osteoporosis alternative treatment — Sanyinjiao (SP6, 三陰交) is located on the inner lower leg, about 4-fingers-breadth above the tip of the ankle bone.

An illustration of taixi to improve kidney health — Located on the foot’s inner side, in the depression between the tip of the inner ankle bone and Achilles tendon. It revitalises the Kidneys.

An illustration of tai chong acupressure point for teeth health in pregnant women. — Located about two finger widths below the spot where the skin of your big toe and second toe join together.

San yin jiao (SP6, 三阴交): Dispels pathogens and boosts Liver and Kidneys to promote better functioning of the ligaments and joints.

Tai xi (KI3, 太谿): Boosts Kidneys to promote better functioning of the joints.
Tai chong (LR3, 太沖): Boosts Liver to promote better functioning of the sinews.

5. Try herbal medicine

Close-up of large-leaf gentian flower on a live gentian plant with leaf in the background. — The root of the large-leaf gentian plant is one of the herbal ingredients in TCM formulas used to help loosen cramping in joints.

TCM also uses herbs to strengthen the body, boosting the healing of the injury. For example, scientists have isolated 166 compounds from the large-leaf Gentian root (qin jiao, 秦艽) which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They can help protect the Liver, Heart, and neurological health.

Formulas like Da Qin Jiao Tang (大秦艽汤) help regenerate yin and blood, nourish the Liver, and soothe the sinews, Physician Yew explains. It can complement the treatment of your mallet finger.

Physician Yew advises against self-medicating when treating a mallet finger. Instead, consult a doctor or a licensed and experienced TCM practitioner. When looking at a month of healing before you can use your finger again, it’s best to trust the experts for the best holistic approach for your injury.