Introduction
Extensor
tendons, located on the back of the hand and fingers, allow
you to straighten your fingers and thumb. These tendons are
attached to muscles in the forearm. As the tendons continue
into the fingers, they become flat and thin. In the fingers,
these tendons are joined by smaller tendons from the muscles
in the hand. It is these small-muscle tendons that allow delicate
finger motions and coordination.
Reason Why Extensor Tendon Injuries Happens
Extensor
tendons are just under the skin, directly on the bone, on the
back of the hands and fingers. Because of their location, they
can be easily injured even by a minor cut. Jamming a finger
may cause these thin tendons to rip apart from their attachment
to bone. After this type of injury, you may have a hard time
straightening one or more joints. Treatment is necessary to
return use to the tendon.
Treatment To Extensor Tendon Injuries
Cuts
that split the tendon may need stitches, but tears caused by
jamming injuries are usually treated with splints. Splints stop
the healing ends of the tendons from pulling apart and should
be worn at all times until the tendon is fully healed. Your
doctor will apply the splint in the correct place and give you
directions on how long to wear it. Sometimes a pin is placed
through the bone across the joint as an internal splint.
Common Extensor Tendon Injuries
-
Mallet
finger refers to the droop of the end joint where an extensor
tendon has been cut or separated from the bone. Sometimes
a piece of bone is pulled off with the tendon, but the result
is the same: a fingertip that cannot be straightened. Whether
the tendon injury is caused by a cut or jammed finger, splinting
is necessary. Often the cut tendon requires stitches. Splinting
is done to keep the fingertip straight until the tendon
is healed. The size of the splint and length of time you
will have to wear it is determined by the type and location
of your injury. The splint should remain in place constantly
during this time. The tendon may take four to eight weeks,
or longer in some patients, to heal completely. Removing
the splint early may result in drooping of the fingertip,
which may then require additional splinting.
-
Boutonnière deformity describes the bent-down position
of the middle joint of the finger from a cut or tear of
the extensor tendon. Treatment involves splinting the middle
joint in a straight position until the injured tendon is
fully healed. Sometimes, stitches are necessary when the
tendon has been cut. If this injury is not treated, or if
the splint is not worn properly, the finger can quickly
become even more bent-down and finally stiffen in this position.
Be sure to follow your physician’s instructions and
wear your splint for a minimum of one to two months.
-
Lacerations or cuts on the back of the hand that go through
the extensor tendons cause difficulty in straightening the
finger at the large joint where the fingers join the hand.
These injuries are usually treated by stitching the tendon
ends together. Splinting for a tendon injury in this area
may include the wrist and part of the finger. Dynamic splinting,
which is a splint with slings that allows some finger motion,
may be used for injuries of this kind. The dynamic splint
allows early movement and protects the healing tendon.
Result
Expectations To Extensor Tendon Injuries
Extensor
tendon injuries may cause the tendon to attach itself to nearby
bone and scar tissue. Many factors can affect the seriousness
of the injury, including fracture, infection, and individual
differences. The scar tissue that forms may prevent full-finger
bending and straightening even with the best treatment. To improve
motion, therapy may be necessary. Surgery to free scar tissue
may sometimes be helpful in serious cases of motion loss. Your
physician will explain the risks and side effects of the various
treatments for extensor tendon injuries.
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