What is a Flexor Tendon Injury?

Flexor tendon injuries can seriously impact the way your hand works. These tendons are vital cords that let you bend your fingers and grip objects. Because they lie just beneath the skin on the palm side of your hand, even a small cut or sudden injury can cause damage. If you find yourself unable to bend a finger or experience pain when trying, it might be due to a flexor tendon injury. Understanding what this injury involves, how to spot it, and what treatment options are available can make all the difference in recovering full hand function. This article breaks down everything you need to know about flexor tendon injuries in simple terms.

What is a Flexor Tendon Injury?

Our hands are incredibly complex, allowing us to perform many daily tasks with ease. Flexor tendons play a key role in this by enabling the fingers to bend. These tendons connect muscles in the forearm to the bones in the fingers and thumb. Because they run just beneath the skin on the palm side, they are prone to injury. A flexor tendon injury can seriously affect finger movement and hand function. Recognising the injury early is important for proper treatment and the best chance of recovery.

Causes of Flexor Tendon Injuries

Flexor tendon injuries are most commonly caused by cuts on the palm side of the hand, fingers, or wrist. Because tendons lie so close to the skin surface, even small cuts can sever them. Sports injuries are also a frequent cause. For example, “jersey finger” occurs when a finger is forcefully pulled, detaching the tendon from the bone. Tendons can also rupture without external trauma if weakened by conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or overuse. Knowing the cause helps guide treatment decisions.

Common causes include:

• Cuts or lacerations on palm, fingers, wrist, or forearm
  
• Sports injuries involving forceful pulling or grabbing
  
• Tendon rupture from wear or inflammatory diseases
  
• Tendon detachment due to sudden trauma
  
  

Signs and Symptoms of Flexor Tendon Injury

A key sign is difficulty or inability to bend one or more fingers. You may feel pain when trying to move the finger. Sometimes the injured finger lies straighter than the others due to loss of tendon function. A visible cut or wound on the palm or fingers often points to tendon damage. Tenderness along the finger’s palm side, numbness, or tingling may occur if nearby nerves are injured. Swelling and bleeding are common with cuts.

Symptoms to watch for:

• Inability to bend affected finger fully or partially
  
• Pain when bending the finger
  
• Visible wound or cut on palm or fingers
  
• Finger positioned straighter than neighbouring digits
  
• Tenderness along the palm side of the finger
  
• Numbness or tingling in fingertip
  
• Swelling and bleeding if cut
  
  

How is a Flexor Tendon Injury Diagnosed?

A hand specialist will examine your hand to test the function of each tendon. They will ask you to try bending individual fingers to find which tendons are damaged. Imaging tests like X-rays may be done if the injury involved glass or foreign objects. Ultrasound or MRI scans provide a detailed view of the tendon’s condition. Prompt medical evaluation is essential since tendons do not heal well on their own.

Treatment Options for Flexor Tendon Injuries

• Surgical Repair: Complete tendon cuts require surgery. Tendon ends pull apart naturally, so they must be stitched back together. The operation can be done under general or regional anaesthesia. After surgery, your hand and wrist will be immobilised in a splint with fingers slightly bent to protect the repair.
  
• Hand Therapy and Rehabilitation: Once healing starts, the plaster splint is replaced with a lighter plastic one. A hand therapist guides you through gentle exercises to keep the tendon moving and prevent it sticking to surrounding tissues. The splint is usually worn for five to six weeks. Recovery of movement takes months.
  
• Non-Surgical Treatment: Partial tears may be managed without surgery using splints and carefully guided exercises.
  
  

Potential Complications and Problems After Injury

Flexor tendon injuries are serious even if the wound seems small. The repair may break early because the tendon is fragile during healing. If this happens, you might hear a snap or lose finger movement. Immediate medical attention is necessary to attempt re-repair. Tendons can also stick to scar tissue, restricting movement despite therapy. Surgery may be needed to release the tendon. Some stiffness or permanent loss of motion is possible.

Also read : What is Arthrosis of the First CMC Joint

Recovery Timeline and Expectations

Recovery is often slow and requires patience. Full tendon strength usually returns around three months after surgery. Finger movement can improve gradually over six months or longer. Hand therapy throughout recovery helps prevent stiffness and improve function. Many people regain good hand use, but some may have permanent limitations. Following your therapist’s advice and protecting the repair are essential.

When to See a Doctor

Seek medical advice quickly if you cannot bend a finger after trauma or a cut. Early diagnosis and treatment improve outcomes. Contact your surgeon or therapist immediately if you hear a snap or lose finger movement after surgery. Delaying treatment reduces repair options and may worsen results.

Supporting Your Recovery

Taking good care of your healing tendon is really important. Wearing supportive braces like the TFCC Support Wrist Brace, UltraFlex Wrist Brace, or Performance Wrist Brace can help protect the repair while still letting you move safely. The ErgoThumb Spica Splint is great for keeping your thumb and wrist steady when needed. Along with these, doing hand therapy exercises helps keep the tendon moving smoothly and stops it from sticking to surrounding tissue. Make sure to avoid heavy lifting or sudden movements until your doctor or therapist says it’s okay. Staying in close touch with your healthcare team and using the right braces gives you the best chance to fully recover your hand’s strength and movement.

Conclusion

Flexor tendon injuries affect the cords that bend your fingers and are often caused by cuts or trauma. These injuries need prompt attention and usually surgery to restore movement. Recovery is slow but improved by careful hand therapy and protection. If you suspect a tendon injury, seeing a specialist quickly gives you the best chance to regain hand function. Taking early action and following your healthcare team’s advice are key to a successful outcome.