How to Recognize Flexor Tendon Injuries

Our tendons connect muscles to our bones. The flexor muscles can be found above the wrist and they are attached to all of the small bones in our fingers.If our muscles contract, these tendons pull the bones. This is how you manage to pick up a rock or turn the pages of a book. Our physical movements depend on tendons to function properly so we can do our tasks with ease and without any pain. Similar to rubberbands, these tendons are stretched firmly. It is easy to sustain a tear. Here are some ways to recognize if you have a flexor tendon injury.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Flexor tendons are often partially torn or completely torn by athletic activities. Football and wrestling are common sports where flexor tendon injuries can occur.

2. Flexor tendons can also be strained or may rupture suddenly. If you discover that you are unable to bend your finger, you may have torn a flexor tendon.

3. Tendons can be torn in a laceration on your palm because they are close to the skin surface.

4. You may have pain when you try to bend your finger.

5. Inflammation will occur at the sight of the injury.

6. The area will be very tender when you attempt to touch it or to do tasks.

7. You will experience stiffness in the affected finger. You may not be able to fully bend or to extend your finger. This stiffness may be irreversible. Some patients will need surgery to lessen the amount of stiffness in their finger.

8. Seek medical care because tendon injuries are often misdiagnosed and this leads to a delay in proper treatment. It is important that your injury is taken care of properly, because doing otherwise can lead to a lifelong deformity or to chronic pain.

Tips & Warnings

• Tendon injuries do not heal easily.
• If you leave a partial tendon injury untreated, it may completely rupture days later.
• If surgery is delayed, the healing process takes longer.