Differential Diagnosis for Inability to Bend Tip of Finger

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Mallet finger: This condition, also known as baseball finger, occurs when the tendon that straightens the tip of the finger (extensor tendon) is stretched or torn, usually due to a sudden, forceful blow to the tip of the finger. It is the most common cause of inability to bend the tip of the finger.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Trigger finger: A condition where the finger gets stuck in a bent position due to inflammation of the tendon sheath, which can also affect the ability to bend the tip of the finger.
  • Flexor tendon injury: An injury to the flexor tendons, which are responsible for bending the fingers, can lead to an inability to bend the tip of the finger.
  • Osteoarthritis: Wear and tear of the joints in the finger can cause stiffness and limited mobility, including an inability to bend the tip of the finger.
• Do Not Miss diagnoses
  • Infection (e.g., felon, paronychia): Infections of the finger can cause severe pain, swelling, and limited mobility. If left untreated, they can lead to serious complications, such as abscess formation or spread of infection.
  • Compartment syndrome: A condition where increased pressure within the muscle compartments of the finger can lead to nerve and muscle damage, causing numbness, tingling, and limited mobility.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Tumor (e.g., giant cell tumor, osteochondroma): Rarely, a tumor can cause limited mobility and inability to bend the tip of the finger.
  • Neurological disorders (e.g., peripheral neuropathy, stroke): Certain neurological conditions can affect the nerves that control finger movement, leading to weakness or paralysis of the finger muscles.