|
 |
Flexor Tendon Injuries Flexor tendons in the hand and forearm The muscles that bend or flex the fingers are called flexor muscles. These flexor muscles move the fingers through cord-like extensions called tendons, which connect the muscles to bone. The flexor muscles start from the elbow and forearm regions, turn into tendons just past the middle of the forearm, and attach into the bones of the fingers (see Figure 1). In the finger, the tendons pass through fibrous rings called pulleys, which guide the tendons and keep them close to the bones, enabling the tendons to move the joints much more effectively. Deep cuts on the palm side of the wrist, hand, or fingers can injure
the flexor tendons and nearby nerves and blood vessels. The injury
may appear simple on the outside, but is actually much more complex
on the inside. When a tendon is cut, it acts like a rubber band, and
its cut ends pull away from each other. A tendon that has not been
cut completely through may still allow the fingers to bend, but can
cause pain or catching and may eventually tear all the way through.
When tendons are cut completely through, the finger joints cannot bend
on their own (see Figure 2). Your doctor will advise you on how soon surgery is needed after a flexor tendon is cut. There are many ways to repair a cut tendon, and certain types of cuts need a specific type of repair. In the finger, it is important to preserve certain pulleys, and there is very little space between the tendon and pulley in which to perform a repair. Nearby nerves and blood vessels may need to be repaired as well. After surgery, and depending on the type of cut, the injured area can either be protected from movement or started on a very specific limited-movement program for several weeks (see Figure 3). Your doctor may prescribe hand therapy for you after surgery. If unprotected finger motion begins too soon, the tendon repair is likely to pull apart. After four-to-six weeks, the fingers are allowed to move slowly and without resistance. Healing takes place during the first three months after the repair. In most cases, full and normal movement of the
injured area does not return after surgery. If it is hard to bend
the finger using its own muscle power, it could mean that the repaired
tendon has pulled apart or is bogged down in scar tissue. Scarring
of the tendon repair is a normal part of the healing process. But
in some cases, the scarring can make bending and straightening of
the finger very difficult. Depending on the injury, your doctor may
prescribe therapy to loosen up the scar tissue and prevent it from
interfering with the finger’s movement.
If therapy fails to improve motion, surgery to release scar tissue
around the tendon may be required. If a program of controlled, limited motion is selected as therapy for the first several weeks after surgery, it is important to work closely with a hand therapist and your surgeon to understand the therapy and follow set guidelines. The tendon repair might pull apart if your hand is used too soon or if therapy guidelines are not followed. In addition to regaining motion of the finger after a tendon injury, therapy will be helpful in softening scars and building grip strength. Tendons of the hand Cut flexor tendons Injured tendon protected from movement © 2007 American Society for Surgery of the Hand More Information flexor, tendon, injury, injuries, finger, fingers |
  
|
 |
© 2007
Colorado Hand & Arm P.C. | 8550 W, 38th Ave., Suite 106 | Wheat Ridge,
CO. 80033 Main Phone 303 421-1440 | Fax 303 421-2524 |
 |
