Tendon Lacerations

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Tendons that move the fingers can sometimes rupture with a sudden force but more often are cut by sharp lacerations. Lacerations may be partial or complete. If complete, the function of that tendon will be lost forever unless the tendon is repaired. There is a limited period of time after injury during which repair is possible. Examination right away by an expert in hand trauma is needed to prevent serious long-term problems with hand function.

MEDICAL HISTORY

The patient can almost always recall the specific event when the injury happened and frequently will have noticed the function of the finger that no longer works right after the injury.

EXAMINATION

The specific function of the tendon will be tested to determine if the loss is partial or complete and any other related losses that may have happened such as nerve lacerations.

ADDITIONAL TESTS

None are needed.

TREATMENT OPTIONS
  NON-OPERATIVE SURGICAL REPAIR SURGICAL RECONSTRUCTION
CONSISTS OF 4 weeks of splinting Sewing together the original tendons Grafting or transfers with other tendons
FEATURES Only good for some extensor tendon ruptures Only possible if treatment done within so many weeks of injury Need to borrow other tendons to use for the reconstruction
ADVANTAGES No surgery Prevents loss of function Can solve problem at any time point after injury
DISADVANTAGES Only few injury patterns can be treated this way Requires patient commitment to 3 months of rehabilitation Requires patient commitment to up to 6 months of rehabilitation and possibly more than one surgery
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RECOVERY

After the tendons have been sewn together, transferred, or grafted they still have to bond or heal together. In the mean time they are only connected by the strength of small threads. The wrong type of movements will cause the sutures to break and the tendons to come apart again. If no movement is done the tendons will develop unwanted scar tissue and have no useful function. Starting immediately after surgery it is necessary to begin a pattern of specific rehabilitation movements performed every hour on the hour. A splint protects against moving too far during the first 6 weeks. During the second 6 weeks more vigorous exercises are allowed. By the end of 3 months the hand works about as well as it is going to and patients are allowed to resume all their normal activities in life. When reconstruction is necessary, there may be 2 surgeries spaced 3 months apart; each one has a 3-month course of rehabilitation afterwards.

Dr. Mark Henry is a true healer; the finest most competent doctor I've ever encountered. I am forever grateful to Dr. Henry and the entire staff for saving my finger and facilitating my complete recovery with grace and seriousness of intent. Thank you.
Dr. Henry brought me peace of mind about my ganglion cyst recovery, and made the entire process of getting the cyst removed easy and manageable.
Very happy I came here for the surgery, etc.
I was very impressed with how I was treated by the doctor as well as the Medical assistant. All my questioned were answered and I was treated with care and respect. Luis was Awesome! Doctor Henry was very informative. I will recommend him to friends and family
excellent! dr & staff!
very confortable,Dr. Henrry very professional and very friendly staff
I appreciate the expertise and experience of Dr. Henry!!! I know I had the BEST hand surgeon!!!
Dr. Henry and his staff are phenomenal. Dr. Henry has a gift for not only treating health issues extremely effectively, but he is extremely thorough and very efficient at communication and explaining everything he is doing and all of clearly outlining your options for future procedures.
dr henry does an excellent job of explaining the problem and solution, seems extremely competent
Great Doctor and staff. Luis is a wonderful asset to the staff
every body was excellent
Thank you for repairing my injury and being kind in the process.
The staff and the Dr. are very helpful and understanding .I have not yet seen a better staff like this office . I will recommend any one here .
Dr. Henry was very informative about the treatment and staff was pleasant.
I couldn't be more pleased with the level of service I received while in Dr. Henry's care. The level of detail in which my injury was explained and resolved, and the level of competency that was displayed throughout the healing was truly outstanding.
The doctor and staff are the best I have ever had. Very professionalism at its best.
best place for treatment of hand and wrist problems. Dr. Henry was recommended to me by a friend who is a medical care professional.
an experience beyond expectation
thank you
I am really happy with my experience. I always knew what was going on and over time got to know the staff based on how many times I've been here. Most importantly, I feel I got the right treatment for my injury.
every thing was really great
Very efficient practice
The staff is nice and everyone is up on the treatment. I feel confident that I am getting the best care and am glad I came here.
Outstanding service and results
no complaints hand is coming along very well
the whole group was very good, I had an excellent experience.
Dr. Henry was able to salvage my hand to make it usable again. I have already sent my Father here and he no longer has any pain in his wrist.
everyone was very helpful.
Thank you for sewing me back together and guiding me through my recovery!!!
you were very good, thank you very much

Houston Hand and Wrist