Tendon Repair Surgery Treatment

What is tendon Repair Surgery?

Tendon repair is surgery performed for treating a torn or otherwise damaged tendon. Tendons are the soft, band-like tissues that join muscles to the bone. When the muscles contract, the tendons pull the bones and thus results in the movement of the joints. When the tendon is being damaged, the movement may be seriously restricted. The damaged area may be felt weak or even painful. Tendon repair surgery may be helpful for the patients who are suffering from tendon injuries and thus making it difficult for them to move a joint.

Reasons for the requirement for the Tendon Repair Surgery:

Hand tendon repair is carried out when one or more tendons in the patient’s hand are being ruptured or are cut, and thus leading to loss of normal hand movements. If the patient’s extensor tendons are damaged, they will be unable to straighten one or more fingers. If the patient’s flexor tendons are damaged, they will be unable to bend one or more fingers. Tendon damage can result in pain and inflammation in the hand. In some of the cases, damage to the extensor tendons can be treated without any requirement of the surgery, with the help of rigid support called a splint that is being worn around the hand.

Some of the common causes of tendon injuries include the following:

• Cuts: Cuts across the back or palm of the hand can cause an injury to the tendons. 
• Sports Injuries: Extensor tendons can be ruptured when stubbing a finger, such as trying to catch a ball; flexor tendons can sometimes be pulled off the bone when grabbing an opponent's jersey, such as in the rugby; and the pulleys holding flexor tendons can rupture during activities that involve lots of strenuous gripping, such as rock climbing.
• Bites: Animal and human bites can also result in the tendon damage, and a person may damage their hand tendon after punching another person in the teeth.
• Crushing Injuries: Jamming a finger in a door or crushing the hand in a car accident can also result in the divide or the rupture of a tendon. 
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis can result in the tendons to become inflamed, which in severe cases can result in the rupturing of the tendons.

Free Consultation on WhatsApp

Procedure

Before the cut tendons in the patient’s hand are being repaired, X-rays of the hand and forearm may be taken. This is done to check for any fragments of glass that can result in any cut to the tendon and any other further damage, such as a fracture, that may also require to be repaired. Tendon repair isn't generally regarded as emergency surgery but is usually carried out as quickly as possible after the injury, generally within a few days. This is because if the tendons remain ruptured for a longer time, the more scarring will be developed at the end of the tendons. This could result in the reduction of the range of the hand movement after the surgery. Depending on the nature of the patient’s injury, they may be given antibiotics and a tetanus jab before the surgery for preventing their hand from becoming infected.

Extensor tendon repair

Extensor tendon repair is generally carried out either under a regional or a general anesthetic. For a regional anesthetic, an injection is used to make part of the patient’s body totally numb. For hand surgery, regional anesthetic is injected into the base of the neck or the top of the shoulder for numbing the whole arm. If the patient’s tendon was damaged as the result of a wound, the wound will be fully cleaned. An incision may be made in the patient’s hand for making the wound larger and the two ends of the ruptured tendon will be stitched together. The wound will be closed with the help of stitches and a rigid splint made of plaster will be generally fitted for stopping the movement of the patient’s hand and thus damaging the repaired tendons. If nothing else has been damaged, extensor tendon repair surgery can take up to 30 minutes to the completion.

Flexor tendon repair

Flexor tendon repair is generally carried out under either a regional or general anesthetic. A tourniquet will be wrapped around the patient’s upper arm for stopping the blood circulating so that bleeding at the wound doesn't make it difficult to view the relevant structures. A tourniquet is a cord or tight bandage that's used for squeezing the arm and temporarily cutting off the blood supply. The surgeons will bring the two ends of the damaged tendon together before the damaged tendons have been stitched to each other. The wound in the hand will be closed with the help of the stitches and a rigid plaster splint will be applied for protecting the repaired tendons. A simple flexor tendon repair usually takes up to 60 minutes, but complex surgery for more severe injuries could take much longer time than expected.

Tendon transfer

In some of the cases, it isn't possible to reattach the two ends of the ruptured tendon. This may be due to the ends of the tendon, which are torn apart. In these situations, surgery may be done for detaching a tendon from one of the healthy fingers and reattaching it to the damaged finger or thumb. This is called a tendon transfer.

How soon will I recover?

All types of tendon surgery need a lengthy period of recovery because repaired tendons will be weak until the ends have been healed together. Depending on the location of the injury, it can usually take up to 3 months for repairing the tendon to regain its past strength. Recovery involves protecting the patient’s tendons from overuse by the use of a hand splint. The patients will be generally required to wear a hand splint for several weeks after surgery has been performed. The patients are also required to perform hand exercises regularly during their recovery; it stops the repaired tendons sticking to nearby tissue, which can prevent the patient from being able to fully move their hand. When the patients can return to their work will depend on their job. Light activities can be usually resumed after 6-8 weeks and heavy activities and sport must only be performed after 10-12 weeks.

Free Consultation on WhatsApp