Joe A Shaw PA-C - 4/15/2008

Question
Hello,
I recently had an accident at work in which I sliced three of my fingers on a meat slicer. I drove to a hospital where they glued my fingers with some superglue stuff (no stitches), put on some bandaids and sent me on my way. Two days later, I took the bandaid off my pinky (which received the worst cut)and saw that my pinky was bent at the top knuckle (I sliced the finger on the very top knuckle). I went back to the hospital, where the doctor simply bent my finger back and forth with his own for less than three seconds and said I was fine.
I cut my finger this past Friday and it's now Monday. The finger bends slightly downwards, and I can't get it to stand straight or bend backwards a little like I used to unless I physically bend it with my OTHER hand. I'm afraid my finger is permanently busted. What should I do?

Answer
S,
It is really difficult to give a accurate answer on something like this w/o exam. But it is probably too soon to determine any thing good or bad. You may have cut or knicked the extensor tendon..the tendon on top of your fingers that allows you to straighten out finger(s). If it is completely cut, then this tendon that controls the end of your little finger will sag a little and you wont be able to straighten it out, BUT YOU should be able to bend it..which is a more important function...but it could also be inflammed and swollen too much as well.

Hold your middle knuckle of your  cut little finger (like you are sliding on a ring) with your good hand..stabilize this knuckle..now you should be able to bend it down and straighten it back up, if it stays bent..then your extensor tendon may have been cut some...and this would need to be evaluated further...really they wont get too excited because the main function is the flexing tendon (palm side) or gripping..this is what is more important...but still you need to know what is going on...