Finger Rehabilitation Exercise Guide
(Mallet Finger · Boutonnière Deformity · Swan-Neck Deformity)

Stop immediately and contact your doctor if you experience pain, swelling, numbness, warmth, or any joint instability during exercises.

Typical starting regimen (only as prescribed by your physician): 2–3 sessions per day, 10–15 repetitions per exercise, 2–3 sets.

Always remain strictly within a pain-free range of motion.

In the early phase, use the opposite hand for generous assistance and progress very slowly.

The information below is a general summary adapted from major medical guidelines and is NOT a substitute for personalized medical advice or supervised therapy.

1. Mallet Finger Rehabilitation

(Terminal phalanx / DIP joint – terminal extensor tendon injury)

Goal: Restore active DIP extension strength and prevent finger stiffness

Start only when: Your physician confirms healing and gives explicit permission (typically after 6–8 weeks full-time splinting)

Early Phase (First 2–4 weeks after physician approval)

• Assisted DIP extension stretch
  1. Rest the affected hand comfortably on a table.
  2. Use the opposite hand to hold the fingertip in full extension.
  3. Gently add 5–10° passive hyperextension (pain-free only) and hold 10–20 seconds.
  4. Slowly release.
  → Perform only the number of repetitions your doctor prescribes. Never force beyond comfort.
• Hook fist (flexion–extension)
  1. Place palm up on table.
  2. Flex MCP/PIP so fingertips point toward palm (not full fist).
  3. Slowly extend back to straight.
  → As directed by your therapist.

Middle Phase (4–8 weeks post-approval, per physician)

• Active DIP extension
  1. Place palm flat on table (dorsum up).
  2. Lift only the injured fingertip while keeping others still.
  3. Hold maximum comfortable extension 2–3 seconds, then lower slowly.
  → Number of reps and progression determined by your doctor/therapist.
• Resisted DIP extension (light band)
  1. Loop light rubber band around fingertip; apply gentle resistance with opposite hand.
  2. Extend DIP against resistance, hold 2–3 seconds.
  → Start with minimal resistance only as instructed.

Late Phase (8+ weeks, per physician guidance)

Focus on functional activities: typing, smartphone use, utensil handling. Continue preventive stretching as prescribed.

2. Boutonnière Deformity Rehabilitation

(PIP flexion deformity + DIP hyperextension – central slip injury)

Goal: Restore PIP extension strength and control DIP hyperextension

Start only when: Physician confirms healing and provides clearance + rehab education (typically after 6 weeks PIP extension splinting)

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