Flexor Tendon Injury
Flexor tendons are cords that connect muscles to bone. The flexor tendons run from the elbow and attach onto the palm of your fingers and thumb. They help to bend the finger and thumb in daily activities such as holding onto a bag, buttoning shirts and writing.
What causes Flexor Tendon Injury?
Flexor Tendons are most commonly injured via a traumatic accident, such as cutting with a knife, blender or power tools. Injuries can also occur from sport when the finger is caught on someone’s clothes, namely a “Jersey Finger.”
What are the symptoms?
- Unable to bend the tips of your fingers or thumb
- Bleeding, pain and swelling (if the hand was cut with a sharp object)
How is central slip injury treated?
Education, splinting, skin care and exercises are required for a period of 6-8 weeks. If the tendon was cut with a sharp object, surgery may be required. After surgery, hand therapy includes wound care, splinting, scar massage, oedema management and active range of movement exercises according to tendon repair protocol.
Your Hand Therapist can show you how to safely don and doff the splint for hygiene whilst maintaining the integrity of the healing central slip tendon. DIP joint flexion exercises are important to maintain the natural balance of the mechanism and prevent a boutonniere deformity.
If you have any questions about a central slip injury, or about another injury to the fingers, hands, wrist, and arms and would like to book an appointment, get in touch today.
