Hand Specialist

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Tendon Injuries (Extensor Tendon and Flexor Tendon)

Tendons are fibrous tissue strands that connect muscles to bones; tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons.

Extensor tendons run from our wrists to our fingers. They allow us to straighten our fingers as well as perform intricate manipulations. Tendon injuries of the hands and fingers can be serious and should be treated by a hand doctor such as the hand specialists at Hayes Hand Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee as soon as possible.

Symptoms of Tendon Injuries of the Hand/Fingers

Mallet finger results from a cut extensor tendon that can no longer hold the finger tip straight. As a result, it droops at the fingertip. Boutonniere deformity is a flexed position at the middle joint.

Even with proper treatment, scar tissue can form an adhesion between the tendon and the bone limiting movement. Other tendon injuries include deQuervain’s Tenosynovitis, tennis elbow, or trigger finger.

Causes of Tendon Injuries

Tendon injuries of the hands and fingers, like most tendonitis-related conditions, are usually caused by impact injuries, lacerations to the back of the hand, overuse, and repetitive motion. Tendons can easily be damaged by impact injuries such as crushing or jamming, or by cuts to the back of the hand or fingers. Rheumatoid arthritis is another cause of tendon-related problems.

Treatment for Tendon Injuries>

Treatment for less severe tendon injuries, such as strain from repetitive actions, may include frequent stretching, reducing the intensity of the actions that cause pain and inflammation, and using ice and mild pain relievers to reduce inflammation and pain and swelling.

More severe tendon injuries of the hands and fingers may require splinting or surgery, ultrasound, physical therapy, or steroid therapy. Tears may require stitches or splints, depending upon their nature and cause. Pins to splint joints from within the bone might be implanted to reinforce the support from an external splint.

Mallet finger is usually treatable with a splint to hold the tendon in place until it heals. Occasionally, a mild fingertip droop remains permanently.

Boutonniere deformity is usually treated by splinting the middle joint of the affected finger. Stitches may be needed if the tendon has been cut or torn.

Splints may need to be worn for four to eight weeks. Be sure to keep your splint on until your physician at the Hayes Hand Center determines that you have fully healed. Removing your splint too soon can result in incomplete healing, stiffening and permanent bending or drooping at the affected joint.

Lacerated tendons are usually stitched back together. They are then splinted to keep them immobilized. This splint can cover the wrist and part of the finger. The hand surgeon might choose to use a dynamic splint, which allows some movement during healing.

If scar tissue has formed during healing and severely impairs hand function, further surgery may be needed to release the scar tissue.

If you live in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area and have a tendon injury to your hand or fingers please contact Hayes Hand Center to schedule an appointment with one of our highly talented and experienced hand specialists.