Insanity Workout Day 65: I Can Beat You With My Pinky! How Mallet Finger Blindsided Me

3-10-2010: Injury obstacle A as described by www.webmd.com: “Commonly an athletic injury, mallet finger occurs when the outermost joint of the finger is injured. Basketball and baseball players routinely experience jammed fingers, but the injury can occur because of a crushing accident on the job or even because of a cut finger while working in the kitchen.
With mallet finger, the tendon on the back of the finger (not the palm side) is separated from the muscles it connects.
Three types of injuries commonly occur:
• The tendon is damaged, but no fractures (bone cracks or breaks) are present.
• The tendon ruptures with a small fracture caused by the force of the injury.
• The tendon ruptures with a large fracture.
If the finger is not broken or cut, or if only a small fracture is present, the doctor applies a splint to the end of the finger so it remains extended. With a splint, the outermost joint on the injured finger is not bendable, but the rest of your finger is bendable. This splint needs to be worn for at least 6 weeks, perhaps longer, to ensure that the tendon is given the best chance of healing.”

So, basketball was going great. I have become more comfortable playing center or manning up on the opposing team’s big man. Actually, in many ways it is much easier than playing guard. They don’t seem to move around as much. Annoy them by continually getting in front of them all the way down the court, then remember to box out and everything is happy wappy.

I noticed my finger was crooked on the bench at some point, but did not think anything of it. After the game, I was considering going to play more basketball at the Troy Center, but instead decided to do the whole emergency room thing like a good boy. This is where I learned of this silly “mallet finger” thingy. So, my pinky is in a splint and I can’t get it wet. Ah well.

I did not do the Insanity workout in the morning. I feel the mallet finger was a curse put forth by Shaun T. That was one too many Wednesday morning workouts missed.

I also did not do a slam dunk test. However, I am grabbing a ridiculous amount of rebounds...good positioning? Yes. But, I’m also feeling good in the magical realm of jumping as well. Unfortunately, my dunk tests will probably be delayed by…well…possibly 6 weeks. Thankfully, I will continue doing insanity to be in excellent position to immediately start slamming as soon as the finger heals. Stupid pinky.