Anyone had pinky surgery or finger surgery?

**simply1** · 10-25-2012, 07:41 PM

I am, does that make me tough?? :)

It's in the pinky and I have a splint over the top of the joint, but can still feel the right side keys through the wrap. I'm a software developer, so have to be able to type.

**wcamnclone** · 10-25-2012, 08:14 PM

I had surgery on my pinky finger for what the doctor called mallet finger. I had a pin in my finger for 6 weeks. 3 months after surgery, the bone deteriorated and am left with a crooked finger for the rest of my life.

Anyone had pinky surgery or finger surgery?-image.jpg

The doctor said I will most likely end up with arthritis in my hand in the future and I can go back in and get the finger fused together, or just have the tip of my finger cut off. I can always tell when a change in weather is coming because the joint gets really sore but not enough to go in and do anything about. It also sucked for the next 5 months after surgery because you can't get a good grip on anything without using your pinkey.

**simply1** · 10-25-2012, 08:30 PM

Originally Posted by wcamnclone

I had surgery on my pinky finger for what the doctor called mallet finger. I had a pin in my finger for 6 weeks. 3 months after surgery, the bone deteriorated and am left with a crooked finger for the rest of my life.

Click image for larger version.

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The doctor said I will most likely end up with arthritis in my hand in the future and I can go back in and get the finger fused together, or just have the tip of my finger cut off. I can always tell when a change in weather is coming because the joint gets really sore but not enough to go in and do anything about. It also sucked for the next 5 months after surgery because you can't get a good grip on anything without using your pinkey.

That sucks, I assume it was the bone that was pinned back? That's what I have, mallet with ruptured tendon.

**jdoggivjc** · 10-25-2012, 08:57 PM

Cut it off.

**CyStalker** · 10-25-2012, 09:16 PM

I worked in hand therapy for a number of years and I would probably suggest that you attempt the surgery. But know that the success will likely not be 100%. The anatomy is so small in the small finger and is not the easiest to fix. Essentially they will pin it straight and hope the tendon scars back into place. If you decide not to fix it, know that your finger will likely look like the photos posted above. With that said, it's possible that the finger will look like that even with the surgery (usually not as severe). If it were me, I would give it a shot and follow the post op and rehab instructions EXACTLY. That is key to the highest level of success. It is more important to be able to bend the small finger than straighten it, but it can get in the way when it mallets.

**VTXCyRyD** · 10-25-2012, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by wcamnclone

I had surgery on my pinky finger for what the doctor called mallet finger. I had a pin in my finger for 6 weeks. 3 months after surgery, the bone deteriorated and am left with a crooked finger for the rest of my life.

The doctor said I will most likely end up with arthritis in my hand in the future and I can go back in and get the finger fused together, or just have the tip of my finger cut off. I can always tell when a change in weather is coming because the joint gets really sore but not enough to go in and do anything about. It also sucked for the next 5 months after surgery because you can't get a good grip on anything without using your pinkey.

That's what my dad's finger looks like, but its bent straight up.

**kilgore_trout** · 10-25-2012, 09:47 PM

two opinions, how many boat payments?

Doctor, will I be able to play the piano?

**TykeClone** · 10-25-2012, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by jdoggivjc

Cut it off.

**BKLYNCyclone** · 10-25-2012, 11:18 PM

My dad had his thumb literally ripped off starting up an old belt sander as a kid. They sewed it back on 60 years or so ago in rural Iowa and somehow he got full function back... Considering the fact that his surgery to reattach a thumb worked out that long ago I'd do the surgery. You'd think techniques would be much better by now.

Find a hand specialist, not a general orthopedic. Be willing to travel to someone who is known for hand work. You should be looking at Rochester or Iowa City, maybe MSP. It's worth the inconvenience now.

**sunset** · 10-25-2012, 11:33 PM

Bent my little finger 90 degrees in a way it shouldn't go. Fracture spiraled around the bone and stopped just shor of going through the joint. Got to listen to two doctors debate surgery or not, in all it's lovely detail, before they decided to cast it and see how it healed. That was about a year and a half ago and it seems to have healed well outside of a little nerve damage.

**3TrueFans** · 10-25-2012, 11:49 PM

I feel lame now since I've never broken any fingers.

**longtimeclone** · 10-26-2012, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by 3TrueFans

I feel lame now since I've never broken any fingers.

I haven't either, but I could grab a hammer and help you out if you like.

**CLONECONES** · 10-26-2012, 07:13 AM

was in a fight and bent the pinky on my right hand all the way back, looked at it and stopped fighting and pulled it back into place.

was pretty swollen for about 10 days and very hard to move it... but now the joint is just a little puffy looking - have most of the movement