A simple flexor tendon repair takes
45 to 60 minutes
, but complex surgery for more severe injuries could take much longer. Read more about recovering from hand tendon repair and the complications of hand tendon repair.
How long does a torn tendon take to repair?
Healing can take
up to 12 weeks
. The injured tendon may need to be supported with a splint or cast to take tension off of the repaired tendon. Physical therapy or occupational therapy is usually necessary to return movement in a safe manner. Expect movement to return gradually, with some stiffness.
How long can you wait to repair a flexor tendon?
Delayed tendon repair can be performed within
3 weeks to one month
after injury, but the repair is preferably done in initial several days of delay. Direct sheath closure is not advocated in tendon repair in the delayed period.
What happens if your tendon is fully torn?
Conditions that make a rupture more likely include the injection of steroids into a tendon, certain diseases (such as gout or hyperparathyroidism), and having type O blood. Although fairly uncommon, a tendon rupture can be a serious problem and may result in
excruciating pain and permanent disability if untreated
.
How successful is flexor tendon surgery?
Since the first flexor tendon repair was described by Kirchmayr in 1917, several approaches to flexor tendon injury have enabled successful repairs rates of
70-90%
. Primary surgical repair results in better functional outcome compared to secondary repair or tendon graft surgery.
How painful is flexor tendon surgery?
After surgery, the hand may be brusied and swollen, and you will
most likely experience pain as the anaesthetic wears off
. The repaired tendons are going to be very weak until completely healed which can make recovery a lengthy process. Depending on the location recovery may take anywhere from 1 to 3 months.
What happens if you don’t repair torn tendons?
If left untreated, eventually it can result in other foot and leg problems, such as inflammation and pain in the ligaments in the soles of your foot (plantar faciitis), tendinitis in other parts of your foot, shin splints, pain in your ankles, knees and hips and, in severe cases, arthritis in your foot.
How do you know if your flexor tendon is torn?
- Painful and swollen finger joints.
- Difficulty bending your finger joints or inability to bend these joints.
- Numbness in your finger – if the nerves that are located very close to your flexor tendon are also injured.
- Tenderness and pain on the palm side of the affected finger.
Why do tendons heal slowly?
Tendons generally have a more limited blood supply than muscles
. This makes them somewhat slower healing structures in comparison to muscle. Blood supply to injured tendons can be stimulated by activities that cause tension on the tendon tissue.
How do you speed up tendon healing?
Strengthening exercises
to help you rebuild tendon strength and avoid future injuries. Ultrasound heat therapy to improve blood circulation, which may aid the healing process. Deep massage to boost flexibility and circulation and prevent further injuries. Endurance activities, such as riding a stationary bike.
Can a flexor tendon heal without surgery?
Tendon Healing
Because the cut ends of a tendon usually separate after an injury,
a cut tendon can not heal without surgery
. 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.
What does a tendon tear feel like?
Tendon and ligament tears or ruptures are injuries to the soft tissues that connect muscles and joints. Common symptoms of tendon and ligament tears are
pain and swelling
. You may also hear or feel a pop when you tear the tissue. Treatments can include a brace, medicine, or surgical repair.
Can you walk on a torn tendon?
The quick answer is
yes, typically you can walk with a torn ligament or tendon in the foot
. Walking may be painful but you can typically still walk. For example, the Posterior Tibialis Tendon runs down the back of the shin, behind the middle bump of the ankle (medial malleolus) and to the bottom of the foot.
How painful is a torn tendon?
Tendon Tear Symptoms
Severe and excruciating pain
. Immediate bruising. Pain and discomfort that worsens with tendon use. A “crunchy” sound or feeling (crepitus) with tendon use.
Which is worse tendon or ligament tear?
Because tendons have better blood supply than ligaments,
tendon injuries tend to heal faster than ligament injuries of comparable severity
. Both ligament tears and tendon tears are serious conditions that can cause intense pain and irreversible impairment if left untreated.
Is tendon repair a major surgery?
Tendon repair procedures
can be minor or major
, depending on the tendon involved and the extent of the injury.
Can repaired tendons tear again?
Tendon repair surgeries are usually straightforward but come with some minor risks. After the surgery, a person should slowly regain their range of motion.
In some cases, however, the tendon can tear again
.
When is flexor tendon repair weakest?
You will make progress in range of motion for 6 months to 1 year.
2-3 Weeks
: the tendon is at its’ weakest point. 4-5 Weeks: the tendon is firm, but weak. 5-6 Weeks: the tendon is becoming stronger.
How long does it take to recover from hand tendon surgery?
The repaired tendon will usually be back to full strength after
about 12 weeks
, but it can take up to 6 months to regain the full range of movement. Some people may never be able to move the affected finger or thumb as much as before it was damaged.
How long is recovery for ankle tendon surgery?
Recovery from surgical repair of your peroneal tendon typically takes about
four months
. Your ankle will feel weak when it comes out of the cast and it is important to perform gentle range of motion exercises three or four times a day for three or four weeks after your cast is removed.
How do you sleep after hand tendon surgery?
Your surgeon might teach you the “hand above elbow, elbow above heart” rule. When sleeping, it may help to
use a large mound of pillows, either beside you or on your chest, to keep your hand and wrist in this elevated position
.
What do doctors do for a torn tendon?
Prescribe a brace, splint, sling, or crutches for a brief period to allow tendons to rest and heal
. Recommend a cast to rest and heal a badly damaged tendon. Casting or surgery is typically used to treat a ruptured tendon.
What is flexor tendon?
Flexor tendons
run from the forearm to the ends of the fingers across the palm side of the hand
. They control the ability to bend fingers down to the palm (for example to make a fist, grip, or pinch objects). When these tendons are cut or injured, it can be impossible to bend the fingers or thumb.
How long does it take for a tendon to reattach to bone?
By
26 weeks
, continuity between the collagen fibres of the tendon and the surrounding bone was observed throughout the length of the bone tunnel, resembling a fibrous enthesis.
Did I tear a tendon in my finger?
Signs of a hand tendon injury:
Inability to bend or straighten one or more of the finger joints
. Pain when bending or straightening the finger or tenderness on the palm side of the hand along the finger.
How many flexor tendons are in the hand?
flexor tendons,
nine
long tendons which pass from the forearm through the carpal tunnel of the wrist. They diverge in the palm, where two go to each finger (one attaches at the DP and one at the MCP) and one goes to the thumb.
How do you treat a flexor tendon injury?
Flexor tendon injuries do not heal by themselves and frequently require
surgery to put the injured tendon back to its normal position
. When surgery is required, a splint and hand therapy may be used after the procedure to protect you and to aid in recovery.
