A 26-year-old football goalkeeper injures his left ring finger while catching a ball. He can flex the proximal and middle phalanges normally but cannot flex the distal interphalangeal joint of that finger. The most likely diagnosis is:

• A Avulsion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon (jersey finger) ✓
• B Mallet finger of the ring finger
• C Trigger finger due to A1 pulley stenosis
• D Central slip injury at the proximal interphalangeal joint

Explanation

Jersey finger is avulsion of the flexor digitorum profundus from the base of the distal phalanx, classically the ring finger during forceful gripping. Loss of active DIP flexion with intact PIP flexion (supplied by flexor digitorum superficialis) localises the injury precisely. Mallet finger is an extensor problem causing loss of extension. Trigger finger produces triggering rather than loss of flexion. Central slip injury causes a boutonniere pattern with loss of PIP extension. Prompt surgical reattachment is required.

Reference: Green's Operative Hand Surgery, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.