Design of a measuring device for Mallet Finger treatment

A mallet finger is an injury that affects the extensor tendon at the Distal interphalangeal joint (DIP). It results from a hyperflexion of the said tendon which can result in a stretching or tearing of the tendon or an avulsion of the tendon’s insertion on the dorsal lip of the distal phalanx base. This kind of injury leads to the apparition of an imbalance in the force distribution in the extensor between the proximal and distal interphalangeal joint. Mallet Finger injuries are mostly seen in young and middle aged men, and if left untreated, can result in stiffness and deformity of the injured fingertip. The objective of this project is thus to create a device that would allow the quantification of the results of three different treatments in order to determine which one gives better results on the long term. The comparison will be based on the range of force that the healed extensor tendon will be able to get back, as well as the range of motion recovered, both for the extension and flexion of the finger. Those values will be compared to those of healthy individuals.