[Finger injuries in ball sports].

Ball sports are the most frequent cause of sport injuries and 60% of all hand injuries involve the fingers. The most common injury is closed rupture of the extensor tendon of the distal interphalangeal joint (mallet finger). Rupture of the deep flexor tendon (jersey finger) occurs particularly in contact ball sports, such as rugby. Injuries of the proximal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints are of high functional relevance. These injuries frequently represent complex lesions which are demanding both in diagnostics and therapy. Errors in diagnosis or insufficient treatment can lead to misalignment and functional impairment of the hand. This article provides an overview of the current treatment strategies and includes recommendations for the treatment of professional athletes.