Jersey Finger

What it is

A jersey finger is a rupture of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon, which bends the fingertip. The tendon pulls away from the bone at the tip of the finger, sometimes taking a piece of bone with it. The ring finger is most often affected.

What causes it

The classic cause is gripping a football player's jersey as they pull away: the finger is forced straight while it is trying to bend. Rock climbing and other gripping activities can cause the same injury.

Symptoms

• Inability to bend the fingertip, even though the other finger joints still bend
• A pop felt at the time of injury
• Swelling and pain in the finger, or in the palm if the tendon has pulled back further

Diagnosis

Jersey fingers are frequently missed because the finger still bends at its other joints. The diagnosis is usually made on examination by holding the middle joint straight and checking whether the tip can bend. X-rays show whether bone was pulled off.

Treatment

Most jersey fingers benefit from surgery to reattach the tendon and fix any bone fragment, especially in active patients and athletes. How far the tendon has pulled back affects its blood supply, so early evaluation is important. Without surgery, the inability to bend the fingertip is usually permanent.

Recovery

A splint and a careful home exercise or hand therapy program follow surgery. Too much activity too soon can damage the repair, while too little motion causes stiffness. It can take several months before the tendon is strong enough for normal activities.