Have you experienced a recent injury affecting the use of your wrist or hands? Certified hand therapy may be right for you. Certified hand therapy helps patients of all ages restore the function of their hands and return to their favorite daily activities. If you live or work in Brick, New Jersey, look no further than Twin Boro Physical Therapy in Toms River to get started.
Twin Boro Physical Therapy helps residents across the state of New Jersey restore their movement abilities and live their best lives. For those experiencing ailments or conditions of the hand, we offer certified hand therapy at 10 of our 27 convenient locations. We treat each patient with compassion, commitment, and respect to help you achieve your goals. When you trust us with your care, you are joining a community of dedicated professionals and patients working toward the same goals of helping you live your best life.
Mallet Finger
Mallet finger is a deformity of the finger that is known for its characteristic appearance of a bent tip of the finger. For this deformity, the end of the finger will bend inwards towards the palm and you will be unable to straighten the finger completely. This often occurs due to a force striking the tip of the finger or thumb, such as a ball. Because of this, mallet finger is most often seen in baseball players and is sometimes referred to as “baseball finger.”
When the tip of the finger or thumb experiences a forceful blow, the tendon along the back of the finger can be torn and is often accompanied by a fracture in the tip of the finger. The result of this is the inability of the finger to straighten completely.
Diagnosis of Mallet Finger
Mallet finger is most easily diagnosed by the appearance of a bent tip of the finger. For best results, it is important that medical attention and treatment is found as soon as possible after the injury. If there is blood beneath the nail or if the nail of the finger detaches, a compound fracture may be present as well.
It is important to seek treatment for this injury quickly in order to prevent permanent deformity. This is especially true for children as the growth plate may be affected by the injury.
When treatment is sought, an orthopedic surgeon or other medical professionals will first examine the finger and make a diagnosis for the condition. Often, a simple test will be done to straighten the finger and see if it stays straight. To confirm the diagnosis, the physician will often order X-rays or another imaging test to look for fractures and the alignment of the joint. The physician will also look for blood beneath the nail and evidence of swelling or other symptoms.
Following treatment of mallet finger, a certified hand therapist can help you to regain strength in the hand and reduce any lingering symptoms following surgical or other nonsurgical treatments. For best results, certified hand therapy should be started as soon as possible after injury.
Ready to Get Started?
Certified hand therapy has many applications, ranging from the treatment of acute injuries to long-term conditions. If you live or work in Brick, New Jersey, and are interested in how certified hand therapy may help you, schedule your first appointment at Twin Boro Physical Therapy in Toms River. Schedule your first appointment by calling 732-554-0622 or visiting our website.
