Jersey Finger (Flexor Digitorum Profundus Rupture)

Description

Jersey finger is characterized by an inability to bend a fingertip under its own power. This is due to an injury to the tendon that bends the last joint in the finger. A flexor tendon is the attachment of the muscle to a bone that bends a joint. This injury is usually to the tendon that bends the last joint of the finger, which results in an inability to bend the finger under its own power, although it can be bent passively, using the other hand. The injury may be a rupture of the tendon, the tendon may be pulled off the bone, or the bone may be pulled off with the tendon (avulsion fracture). This injury most often occurs in the ring finger and usually results from grasping or grabbing another player’s jersey or pants.

Common signs and symptoms

• A pop or rip felt in the finger at the time of injury

• Pain with moving the injured finger

• A finger that is straight at the last joint and unable to bend under its own power

• Full passive motion of the finger (it can be bent, but it cannot bend itself)

• Tenderness, swelling, and warmth of the injured finger

• Bruising after 48 hours

• A lump felt in the palm of the hand (occasionally)

Causes

Jersey finger is usually the result of forced straightening of a bent finger, leading to a rupture of the flexor tendon to the last joint of the finger. This causes the tendon to be pulled off the bone, although occasionally some bone is pulled off with the tendon. This usually happens as a player tries to grasp an opposing player’s jersey. It may also occur from the tendon being cut, but this is uncommon.

Factors that increase risk

• Sports that involve grasping, such as rugby, football (during tackling), and ice hockey, when gloves are removed and a player grabs another’s jersey

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