How do you know if you have tendon damage in your hand?

Symptoms of traumatic tendon injuries include: Inability to bend finger joints. Numbness or tingling in fingertips. Pain when extending the fingers.

Can a torn tendon in the hand heal itself?

While a cut or tear—whether it occurs in the forearm, wrist, palm, or finger—might seem minor, in reality, it can completely prevent fingers from bending. Because cuts or tears pull the ends of the flexor tendon apart, it’s impossible for a tendon to heal on its own.

What happens if you damage a tendon in your hand?

If your flexor tendons are damaged, you’ll be unable to bend 1 or more fingers. Tendon damage can also cause pain and swelling (inflammation) in your hand. Sometimes, damage to the extensor tendons can be treated without the need for surgery, using a rigid support called a splint that’s worn around the hand.

How do you treat tendon damage in the hand?

Following a tendon injury, rest your hand and wear a bandage to compress your painful fingers. Apply ice and elevate your hand above your heart as much as possible to reduce pain and swelling. Then, seek professional medical attention to make sure you get complete, proper care for your injury.

How long do hand tendons take to heal?

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.

Can you have a tendon injury in your hand?

Tendon injuries can occur from a laceration or injury to the forearm, palm side of the wrist, hand or fingers. It may appear minor from the outside but may have caused internal damage to the underlying nerves and blood vessels.

How long does it take for a hand tendon to contract?

This doesn’t necessarily happen upon injury unless the hand is configured in such a way as to cause this “snap back” effect, or unless the fingers are flexed when the injury occurs. If left untreated, the tendon usually begins to contract back into the forearm over the course of 3 to 5 days.

What happens to the fingers when a tendon is severed?

When resting the hand palm-side up on a table, the fingers naturally curl and point toward your torso. If a tendon is completely severed, the finger enervated by that tendon will lie flat in contrast to other fingers, as seen in the picture below.

What kind of injury causes a stiff finger?

A boutonniere deformity, a type of extensor tendon injury, with progressive bending of the middle joint may result in a stiff finger in this position if not treated. The end joint also bends backward across the finger.