Introduction

Fingertip injuries are the most common hand injuries in adults and account for approximately two-thirds of hand injuries in children. Damage to the nail bed is reported to occur in 15-24% of fingertip injuries [2].

What damage occurs with a fingertip injury?

Fractures proximal to the waist of the terminal phalanx or intra-articular fractures require specialist surgical assessment to determine the need for internal stabilisation.

How can a fingertip injury be defined?

A fingertip injury is defined as any soft tissue, nail or bony injury distal to the dorsal and volar skin creases of the distal interphalangeal joint and insertions of the long flexor tendons of the fingers or thumb.

Learning Bite

Approximately half of fingertip injuries have an associated fracture of the digit, usually the distal tuft of the terminal phalanx [3], which requires external splintage only.

Fractures proximal to the waist of the terminal phalanx or intra-articular fractures require specialist surgical assessment to determine the need for internal stabilisation.