jersey finger injury

Introduction

• the flexor digitorum profundus muscle bends the fingertip down
  • the jersey finger is a tear in the tendon of the flexor digitorum profundus

Classification

• type 1 (most severe) total retraction of tendon into the palm
• type 3 (most favorable) no retraction of tendon

Etiology

• gripping the jersey of an opponent who is trying to escape
• rock climbing

Epidemiology

• ring finger is most often involved, but any finger may be affected

Pathology

• tear in the flexor tendon of a finger that occurs when the finger is forcibly extended while it is bent
• the tendon may separate from its bone insertion at the tip of the finger
• sometimes, a piece of the bone is torn away
• example: flexor digitorum profundus tendon tear with tendon retraction Clinical mmanifestations:
• pain & swelling
  • pain in the palm may be a sign of a type 1 rupture
• the injured finger is unable to bend at the fingertip

Complications

• when the tendon is retracted further away from the tip of the finger toward the base, the blood supply is disrupted

Management

• refer to a hand surgeon
  • surgery to reattach the disrupted tendon, fix the bony fracture (as needed), & restore the ability to bend the finger tip

More general terms

• finger injury