01/07/2025
🏈 Jersey Finger ⬇️
The Athlete's Tendon Injury
(Also known as Flexor Digitorum Profundus Avulsion)
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🌟 What’s in a Name?
The term Jersey Finger comes from sports like football or rugby 🏉, where grabbing an opponent’s jersey and pulling hard can tear the flexor tendon.
🔹 First noted in athletes during the 20th century.
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📖 What is Jersey Finger?
It is an avulsion injury where the FDP tendon tears away from the distal phalanx, usually in the ring finger 💍.
🛑 This causes inability to flex the DIP joint (the fingertip joint).
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🧠 Anatomy 101
FDP tendon inserts into the base of the distal phalanx.
It bends the DIP joint in fingers.
The ring finger is most vulnerable due to its weak grip biomechanics.
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⚡ How Does It Happen?
Occurs when a flexed DIP joint is forcefully extended, like grabbing a jersey and the opponent pulls away.
🔹 Tendon may rupture or pull off with bone.
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🩺 Signs & Symptoms
✅ Can’t actively flex fingertip (DIP)
✅ Pain & tenderness (volar side)
✅ Swelling and bruising
✅ Finger stays extended
✅ May feel a gap where tendon retracted
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🩻 Diagnosis
🧪 Clinical Exam: Try flexing the DIP joint while stabilizing PIP.
🖼 X-ray: To rule out bone avulsion.
🧲 Ultrasound/MRI: Confirms rupture and tendon retraction.
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📊 Classification (Leddy & Packer)
There are 5 types, based on:
🔹 Degree of tendon retraction
🔹 Bone involvement
This classification guides surgical planning.
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🔍 Differential Diagnosis
Mallet Finger
Flexor Tendon Laceration
Distal Phalanx Fracture
Boutonnière Deformity
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🩼 Physiotherapy Management (Post-Surgery)
🛠 Surgery is usually necessary
🕐 Physiotherapy starts after 4–6 weeks of immobilization
🎯 Rehab Goals:
🛡 Protect tendon repair
🏃 Restore range of motion (ROM)
🚫 Prevent stiffness/adhesions
✋ Regain full hand function
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📅 Rehabilitation Phases
1️⃣ Immobilization: Splint in slight flexion (0–4 weeks)
2️⃣ Early Passive ROM: Controlled flexion-extension (4–6 weeks)
3️⃣ Active ROM: Begin gentle movements (6–8 weeks)
4️⃣ Strengthening: Light resistance training (10–12 weeks)
5️⃣ Return to Sport: 3–4 months post-op 🏃♂️
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🦾 Orthosis Support
A dorsal blocking splint is used to keep wrist & fingers flexed to protect the repair.
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🏡 Home Advice for Recovery
✅ Stick to your hand therapy plan
🚫 Avoid gripping/lifting
🤲 Do guided tendon-gliding exercises
🧼 Maintain hygiene & monitor for infection/rupture