Injury	Examination	Treatment	Referral criteria
Central slip extensor tendon injury (may cause a boutonniére deformity over time)	Tender at dorsal aspect of the PIP joint (middle phalanx)	Splint the PIP joint in full extension for six weeks.	Avulsion fracture involving more than 30 percent of the joint or inability to achieve full passive extension
	Inability to actively extend the PIP joint
Collateral ligament injury (usually at the PIP joint)	Maximal tenderness at involved collateral ligament	Stable joint: buddy tape for two to four weeks. Do not leave fifth digit exposed if ring finger is taped.	Unstable joint or injury in a child
	Test stability of joint while the finger is in 30 degrees of flexion and the MCP joint is flexed.
Extensor tendon injury at the DIP joint (mallet finger)	Tender at dorsal aspect of the DIP joint	Splint the DIP joint continuously for six weeks.	Avulsion fracture involving more than 30 percent of the joint or inability to achieve full passive extension
	No active extension of the DIP joint
FDP tendon injury (jersey finger)	Tender at volar aspect of the DIP joint	Splint finger and refer to orthopedic or hand surgeon.	All
	Inability to flex the DIP joint
	DIP joint should be isolated during the examination.
Volar plate injury (usually at the PIP joint)	Maximal tenderness at the volar aspect of involved joint	Splint at 30 degrees of flexion and progressively increase extension for two to four weeks.Buddy tape at the joint if injury is less severe.	Unstable joints or large avulsion fragments
	Test for full flexion and extension as well as collateral ligament stability.