by matt danielson and falon fiorillo. description of injury avulsion of the flexor digitorum...

By Matt Danielson and Falon Fiorillo

Jersey Finger

Description of Injury

• Avulsion of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus • An avulsion is the forcible tearing away or separation of a

bodily structure or part• Can occur in 1st-5th phalange

• Damage to the DIP joint ( Distil Interplalangeal Joint) and the FDP (Flexor Digitorum Profundus).

Anatomy

• This injury often occurs in mainly football

• A player grabs another player's jersey with the tips of one or more fingers while that player is pulling or running away

• This action hyperextends the tip of the finger at the DIP joint while the proximal portion of the finger is flexed.

• Can partially or completely rupture the FDP tendon

Mechanism of Injury

• Type I- (partial rupture of the tendon) can be treated through rest ice compression elevation (R.I.C.E.). Sometimes a splint is required

• Type II & III- (full tendon rupture & chipped bone) may require surgery to require soft tissue.

Treatment

• If surgery is done, the injured finger is kept in a splint for at least 6 weeks

• The patient is suggested to not participate in sports for at least 3 months

Recovery