Hand Doctors Explain Tendon Injury
In this series, top Oakland County hand doctor Uzma Rehman explains the most common hand injuries and how they are treated. Today she discusses tendon injury, a category of hand problems that can range from minor strains to serious cuts requiring surgical repair. Because tendons are essential to hand movement, prompt care matters.
Tendon injuries can affect the ability to bend or straighten the fingers, and even small injuries can have a significant impact on hand function. Understanding how these injuries occur and how they are treated helps patients seek timely care and protect their long-term mobility.
What is a Tendon Injury?
Tendons are strong, flexible cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones, allowing the fingers and wrist to move. In the hand, flexor tendons bend the fingers toward the palm, while extensor tendons straighten them. A tendon injury occurs when one of these cords is cut, torn, or strained.
Injuries can be partial or complete. A complete cut or rupture prevents the affected finger from moving properly, while a partial injury may still allow some movement but cause pain and weakness. Deep cuts to the hand often damage tendons along with the skin.
Symptoms of a tendon injury include an inability to bend or straighten a finger, pain with movement, and sometimes swelling or an open wound. Because tendons do not always heal well on their own, prompt evaluation is important for the best outcome.
What Causes Tendon Injury
Tendon injuries in the hand most often result from cuts or lacerations, such as those from knives, broken glass, or tools. Because the tendons lie close to the surface in many parts of the hand, even a seemingly minor cut can sever a tendon.
Sports injuries are another common cause, particularly when a finger is forcefully bent or jammed. Certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, can weaken tendons over time and make them more likely to rupture with minimal stress.
Top Oakland County hand doctor Uzma Rehman carefully examines each injury to determine which tendons are involved and how severely. This detailed assessment guides her treatment plan and helps ensure that the injury is repaired properly for the best recovery.
Who is Most Likely to Suffer from Tendon Injury?
Tendon injuries can happen to anyone, but some people face a higher risk based on their activities. Those who work with sharp tools, machinery, or glass are more prone to the lacerations that cause tendon damage.
Athletes, particularly those who play sports involving catching or gripping, are susceptible to the forceful finger injuries that can tear tendons. Rock climbers and football players, for instance, sometimes experience these injuries during play.
People with conditions that weaken tendons, such as rheumatoid arthritis, may suffer ruptures with little or no trauma. Recognizing these risk factors highlights the importance of prompt care whenever a tendon injury is suspected.
How Hand Doctors Treat Tendon Injury
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury. Minor tendon strains may heal with rest, splinting, and hand therapy. However, when a tendon is cut or completely torn, surgical repair is usually necessary to reconnect the ends and restore movement.
Because tendons are under tension, cut ends often pull apart and cannot rejoin on their own, which is why timely surgery is important. After repair, a carefully guided period of splinting and hand therapy helps the tendon heal while preventing stiffness.
At her practice in the Oakland County area, Dr. Uzma Rehman provides skilled surgical repair and comprehensive follow-up care for tendon injuries. She emphasizes both precise repair and a structured rehabilitation plan to give patients the best chance of full recovery.
Hand Doctors Tips for Preventing Tendon Injury
Many tendon injuries can be avoided with careful attention to safety. Using proper technique and protective equipment when handling knives, tools, or machinery reduces the risk of the cuts that commonly damage tendons.
In sports, warming up properly, using appropriate protective gear, and learning safe techniques for catching and gripping can help prevent the forceful finger injuries that lead to tendon tears. Avoiding overexertion also protects the tendons from strain.
For people with conditions that weaken tendons, managing the underlying disease is an important preventive step. Seeking prompt care for any hand injury, even one that seems minor, helps ensure that tendon damage is identified and treated before it worsens.
Hand Doctors Prognosis for Tendon Injury Recovery
The prognosis for tendon injuries has improved greatly with modern surgical techniques and rehabilitation. With prompt, skilled repair and dedicated hand therapy, many patients regain excellent function of the affected finger or hand.
Recovery does require patience, as tendons heal slowly and rehabilitation typically takes several weeks to months. Following the prescribed therapy program closely is essential to prevent stiffness and achieve the fullest possible return of movement.
Experienced Oakland County hand doctor Uzma Rehman guides each patient through repair and recovery with detailed instructions and attentive follow-up. Her commitment to both surgical precision and rehabilitation helps patients restore the strength and movement of their hands.
Top Hand Doctor | Oakland County
If you live in the Oakland County area and have suffered a tendon injury, caring and experienced board-certified hand doctor Uzma Rehman is here to help. She combines advanced training with a genuine commitment to each patient’s comfort and recovery. We accept most major insurance plans and offer compassionate, experienced treatment in a comforting environment. Do not delay care when your hand’s movement is at stake. Schedule an appointment today.
