What is it?

Flexor tendon injuries are among the most common and most difficult to treat injuries that occur on the hands. Flexor tendons running on the palmar side of the hand, we can compare the strings that move traffic from the flexor muscles of the forearm lying on the place or moving a finger or wrist. Each finger has the two flexor muscles lying one above the other.

Flexor which is in constant voltage result that at the time of break in the tendon, both ends move away from each other, even a few centimeters. Flexor tendons run in their tunnels-pochewkach and are secured additional drawstring as belt loops in the bar, which determines the correct finger flexion.
Damage to these structures or atresia further complicates the process of recovery from their injury. In the vicinity of the tendons are also nerves and arteries, veins finger tendon injury so often also accompanied by injuries of these structures, causing loss of sensation or blood supply to the finger. You should never underestimate the small wounds on the palms of the hand as it deeper can cause damage to all the described structures.

Cause

Most common cause of injuries: cuts, stab, jerky. There are also spontaneous rupture in the course of co-morbidities eg. RA

Symptoms

In the case of a complete cut of the flexor tendon we lose the ability to bend the finger in whole or in part. Please note that the tendon can also be partially intersection and then during the rapid test can overlook the damage after a few days can lead to tendon rupture. If we find paraesthesia (tingling, numbness) or abnormal blood flow to the fingers is also suspect damage to other structures lying in the vicinity of the flexor tendons (nerves, blood finger).

Testing and diagnosis

In the case of total damage to the tendon diagnosis is fairly easy in the case of partial damage already. The study should be carried out very carefully. Check the mobility of the finger, his hand innervation and blood supply by performing various tests. The study should be performed by an experienced surgeon.

Treatment

Flexor tendon injuries are treated surgically. A method of treatment should be discussed with the patient because it is impossible to immediately return to work.
The method of treatment depends on the type of injury, the patient's age and the type of work. The surgery is to find the ends of the tendons and their sutures together with maintaining or restoring retinacula. The cells have the ability to reproduce, tendons and it determines that they can grow together. If the procedure is performed late after trauma or have straps tendon may need to use prosthetic tendons and tendon transplants, sometimes used to translate the so-called tendons. Transpositions to restore mobility of the finger.
If you were damaged nerves or blood hand surgeon will reconstruct these structures using microsurgical techniques.

After the surgery

It starts lasting a few weeks (4-8 weeks) period of rehabilitation. The hand is immobilized a special dressing, often fixed to the fingers so-called eraser. Dynamic splinting sp. Crystal in a controlled manner to begin rehabilitation under the supervision of the surgeon or physical therapist. This period requires very close cooperation between the two sides and strict adherence by the patient. It happens that during the rehabilitation or after the lead up to a tendon rupture or formation of adhesions to the free movement of the finger. In such cases it is necessary to perform further surgery.