Tendon Lacerations

If you’ve experienced a tendon laceration in your hand, it’s crucial to seek out expert medical care to make a full recovery. Tendon lacerations can inhibit your full range of motion in the injured hand, making it difficult to carry out regular daily activities. 

What Is a Tendon Laceration?

Tendons are the connecting tissue between muscles and bones. Deep cuts that penetrate all layers of the skin may hit a tendon, causing a tendon laceration.

There are many tendons that run down the forearm to the hands and fingers, which are critical for finger movement. Depending on the severity of a hand laceration and the tendon that was affected, you may or may not be able to move your fingers. You may also experience the following symptoms:

  • Immobility in the hand
  • Pain while moving the hand
  • Numbness in the hand or finger

Flexor Tendon and Extensor Tendon Lacerations

Your flexor tendons are found on the inside of your palm. These tendons connect flexor muscles to finger bones. Their function is to help you grasp and grip objects. Whether you’re holding a pen to write, picking up a glass of water to drink, or holding the TV remote, you’re actively using the flexor tendons in your hand. 

Your extensor tendons are found on the outer side of your hand on top of your fingers. These tendons allow your fingers to straighten, grasp, and release. The extensor tendons and flexor tendons work together to help you complete all types of everyday tasks. 

In the case of a flexor or extensor tendon laceration, you may lose full or partial mobility in the finger that was cut, depending on the depth of the laceration. After the injury, you may not be able to complete tasks that require the use of that finger until you receive treatment. 

Treatments for Tendon Lacerations in the Finger

At Julian Plastic Surgery, we can help you regain the use of your hand or finger after a laceration with various treatment options. While minor lacerations may be treated without surgery in some circumstances, we also offer surgical options to get your hand back to its regular look and feel. 

We can perform a surgical procedure to reconnect the tendon using sutures. This surgery shows the best results when it’s performed as quickly as possible after the laceration occurs. After the surgery, you’ll likely be advised to wear a splint for support and protection as the tendon heals, as well as be referred for physical therapy to help regain your range of motion. The tendons in your hand may require about three months to fully heal.

Contact us today to speak to a member of our staff to learn more about our laceration treatment options.Â