Cycling Forums - View Single Post - Cycling with a splint for "mallet finger"?

01-19-2007, 12:04 AM

On Thu, 18 Jan 2007 13:32:51 -0600, Preston Crawford wrote:

> The problem is that with mallet finger you have to leave the splint on
> constantly for 6 weeks or else the finger becomes deformed. So I want to
> get back on the bike, but I don't know how risky that is.

All you have to do it keep the finger straight. If it is allowed to bend
your 4/6 (mine was 8) weeks start again. The splint gets rather messy,
and you need to find a way to change it and clean the skin underneath
while keeping the finger straight. It's easier if you have someone to
help, but it is possible to do it on your own if necessary -- prepare
the new splint, pre-cut pieces of surgical tape, have everything within
easy reach because you'll be working one-handed.

Apart from the awkwardness of having the fingers sticking out, I see no
reason you couldn't ride a bike.

For your amusement, I snapped my tendon waving my arms in an argument in
the office, but it's also common to do it while making up a bed, or even
taking a sock off! http://www.emedicine.com/Orthoped/topic413.htm

Mike

01-19-2007, 12:04 AM	#7 (permalink)
Mike Causer Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cycling with a splint for "mallet finger"? On Thu, 18 Jan 2007 13:32:51 -0600, Preston Crawford wrote: > The problem is that with mallet finger you have to leave the splint on > constantly for 6 weeks or else the finger becomes deformed. So I want to > get back on the bike, but I don't know how risky that is. All you have to do it keep the finger straight. If it is allowed to bend your 4/6 (mine was 8) weeks start again. The splint gets rather messy, and you need to find a way to change it and clean the skin underneath while keeping the finger straight. It's easier if you have someone to help, but it is possible to do it on your own if necessary -- prepare the new splint, pre-cut pieces of surgical tape, have everything within easy reach because you'll be working one-handed. Apart from the awkwardness of having the fingers sticking out, I see no reason you couldn't ride a bike. For your amusement, I snapped my tendon waving my arms in an argument in the office, but it's also common to do it while making up a bed, or even taking a sock off! http://www.emedicine.com/Orthoped/topic413.htm Mike