A jersey finger is an injury to one of the fingertendons.
While a jersey finger can occur in non-athletic activities, it is most commonly seen in full-contact sports.
Symptoms
A jersey finger is an injury to the flexor tendon.
Tempura / Getty Images
Under normal circumstances, the posture of the hand will be slightly flexed as if holding a glass.
This is because the tendons flexing (bending) and extending (straightening) your finger are balanced.
At the same time, the person will be unable to bend the injured finger toward the palm.
These, along with pain and tenderness, are the hallmark features of a jersey finger.
In some cases, the flexor tendon may only be partially torn.
When this happens, it may still be possible to bend the finger but only slightly.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is recommended to repair the complete tear of a flexor tendon.
The procedure has multiple steps that can vary by how far the tendon has retracted.
Typically, the tendon is reattached by drilling small holes into the bone.
Surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis.
After the surgery is completed, the doctor will apply a dressing and splint to protect the finger.
The fingers and wrist will be placed in a bent position to keep tension off the repair.
Even with appropriate therapy, stiffness remains a common complication following a jersey finger surgery.
2012;3(6):62-9. doi:10.5312/wjo.v3.i6.62
