Jersey finger mechanism: which description accurately defines the injury?

Jersey finger mechanism: which description accurately defines the injury?

• A. Rupture of extensor digitorum tendon during forced extension
• B. Avulsion of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon from the proximal phalanx
• C. Tear of the lumbrical tendon due to crush injury
• D. Rupture of flexor digitorum profundus tendon from the distal phalanx when the finger is in flexion

Answer: (D)

Jersey finger is an injury where the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon is torn away from its insertion at the distal phalanx, typically after a finger that is actively flexed is suddenly extended (as when grabbing something like a jersey). Because the FDP is responsible for flexing the DIP joint, tearing it off the distal phalanx leaves the patient unable to actively flex the fingertip. The description that fits this scenario is a rupture of the FDP tendon from the distal phalanx when the finger is in flexion, i.e., an avulsion at the distal phalanx. The other descriptions describe different injuries: an extensor tendon rupture during forced extension would cause a mallet finger (inability to extend the DIP), avulsing the flexor digitorum superficialis from the proximal phalanx would affect PIP flexion, and a lumbrical tendon tear from crush injury is a different, less common hand injury.

Jersey finger is an injury where the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon is torn away from its insertion at the distal phalanx, typically after a finger that is actively flexed is suddenly extended (as when grabbing something like a jersey). Because the FDP is responsible for flexing the DIP joint, tearing it off the distal phalanx leaves the patient unable to actively flex the fingertip. The description that fits this scenario is a rupture of the FDP tendon from the distal phalanx when the finger is in flexion, i.e., an avulsion at the distal phalanx.

The other descriptions describe different injuries: an extensor tendon rupture during forced extension would cause a mallet finger (inability to extend the DIP), avulsing the flexor digitorum superficialis from the proximal phalanx would affect PIP flexion, and a lumbrical tendon tear from crush injury is a different, less common hand injury.