The hand is made up of dozens of bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels and other parts that all work together to help you perform your daily tasks. This vital organ also has a number of tendons that not only play an important role in the function of the hand, but can also be the source of many injuries and problems. Stay with us until the end of this article from the GCORP LLC health magazine to learn about the anatomy of the hand tendon as well as the signs of injury and its repair methods.

What is a hand tendon?

Tendons are strong and resistant fibers that connect muscles to bones and allow joints to move. There are thousands of tendons in the human body, and the hand tendons are among the most important.

The muscles that are responsible for the movement of the fingers are located in the area of the forearm and hand. Long tendons pass through the ends of these muscles and pass through narrow tunnels in the wrist to attach to the small bones of the fingers. These tunnels, which are called tendon sheaths, are responsible for keeping the tendons near the bones and joints, and by secreting a slippery liquid, they make the tendons move smoothly.

Tendons are essential to body movement and control. For example, they allow people to move their joints and pick up items

Tendons are essential for body movement and control. For example, they allow people to move their joints and pick up objects.

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Anatomy of hand tendons

Anatomy of the wrist shows that there are 2 groups of tendons in each hand:

1. Flexor tendons

Flexor tendons connect the muscles of the forearm to the bones of the fingers and help you bend or retract your fingers, hand, and wrist. These tendons may be damaged by cuts and injuries affecting the palm and finger folds. Sometimes, too much stretching of the finger can cause them to separate from the bone.

2. Extensor tendons

Extensor tendons also connect the muscles of the forearm and hand to the bones of the fingers; But unlike the flexor tendons, they allow you to open and straighten your hand and fingers. These tendons are located right under the skin, and for this reason, they are damaged by any cut on the back of the hand. They are especially vulnerable in the areas behind the finger joints.

Types of hand tendon rupture

Tendon rupture can be divided into three general categories:

• Partial tear: The tendon is still attached to the bone, but is thinned or partially torn.
• Full-thickness incomplete tear: The tendon is partially separated from the bone.
• Complete full-thickness tear: The tendon is completely separated from the bone.

Symptoms of hand tendon rupture

Tendon damage is one of the most common problems in the hand area. If this damage is not repaired, it can affect the function of the hand and reduce the quality of life. The symptoms you may experience as a result of right or left hand tendon rupture depend on the type of damaged tendon.

1. Symptoms of flexor tendon injury

When the flexor tendons of the hand are damaged, you may experience the following symptoms:

• Presence of sores in the palm or fingers area
• Inability to bend the finger (partially or completely)
• Abnormal smoothness of the affected finger compared to the adjacent fingers
• Pain in hand when trying to bend fingers

In some situations, the finger becomes numb. Because the nerves are in the vicinity of the tendons and may be damaged.

2. Symptoms of extensor tendon injury

If the extensor tendons of the hand are damaged, the following symptoms may appear:

• Presence of a cut on the back of the wrist, hand or finger
• Inability to fully straighten the finger
Abnormal downward bending of the finger
• Pain when trying to straighten the finger

Time to see a doctor

If you suspect that you have ruptured a tendon, contact an online orthopedic doctor as soon as possible. Prompt diagnosis and timely treatment dramatically increase the chance of a full recovery. Also, if the symptoms do not improve or get worse after resting and following medical recommendations, see the doctor again for the necessary examinations.

The cause of hand tendon rupture

Tears often occur due to sudden injury or excessive pressure on the tendon. Specifically, the following factors can increase the probability of such tears:

• Excessive pressure on the muscle during swimming or other physical activities
• Exercising without a regular program or without warming up the body before exercise
• Partial or complete cutting using a knife or sharp tools
• Incoming a direct blow to the tendon site

In addition, the following factors can also play a role in tendon rupture:

• Consumption of some drugs
• Genetic factors
• Suffering from some diseases including kidney problems
• Tendonitis (hand tendon inflammation)
• Injuries from repetitive activities such as painting or repeatedly bending the hand
• Decreased blood supply to the tendon

In case of tendonitis, the symptoms usually appear gradually and progress over time. To get more information about this disease and how to treat it, we suggest you read the article What is tendonitis.

How to diagnose hand tendon rupture

Orthopedic doctor uses different methods to diagnose hand tendon rupture and stretching:

• He will first check your symptoms carefully.
• He will ask you questions about the events that happened before the symptoms appeared to determine the possible cause of the injury.
• Does a physical examination and evaluates the range of motion of joints and muscle strength.
• He will order x-rays to make sure there are no other problems, such as arthritis or fractures.
• If soft tissue examination is needed, CT scan, MRI or ultrasound may be prescribed.

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Hand tendon treatment

There are various options for treating a tendon rupture, including home care, medical treatment, or a combination of both. Choosing the right treatment method depends on many factors such as severity of injury and health status.

Medical treatments

Treatments that are performed under the supervision of a doctor include:

• Surgery to repair or reconstruct the tendon
• Using growth factors to help repair tendons
• Rehabilitation and physiotherapy
• Emerging treatments including stem cell therapy

1. Treatment of tendon strain with physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can be recommended both before and after surgery. This treatment method plays an important role in reducing pain and inflammation, it helps to stimulate hand muscles, strengthen tendons and improve joint range of motion.

2. Medication to control the symptoms of tendon strain

The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen can have a great effect on reducing pain and inflammation. These drugs are often available without a prescription, but it is better to consult a doctor about the appropriate dosage and method of taking them.

3. Ointment for hand tendon stretching

Ointments cannot cure tendon rupture, but they can help control its symptoms such as pain and inflammation. Talk to your doctor about the necessity of using the following products:

• Methyl salicylate ointment
• Pain Roast herbal massage cream
• Pain Rest body cooling gel
Rosemary cream

4. Hand tendon surgery

If the tendon is completely torn, you need surgery to repair it. After surgery, occupational therapy or physical therapy is necessary, and usually you must use a splint for 6 weeks.

Like any other surgery, hand tendon surgery may be associated with complications, including:

• Disturbance in the tendon repair process due to not following the doctor's orders
• infection
• Limited movement due to adhesion of scar tissue

home treatment for hand tendon strain

Home remedies may include using a brace to support the injured area and the RICE technique. Rice's technique consists of four steps:

• Rest
• Placing an ice compress on the affected area (Ice)
• compressing the damaged area using compression bandages
• Keeping the affected area elevated (Elevation)

What should we eat to repair the hand tendon?

The following foods speed up the tendon repair process and increase its strength:

• High-protein foods: Chicken, turkey, fish, eggs and legumes are essential for collagen production.
• Foods rich in vitamin C: Vitamin C plays a role in the production of collagen and improving the function of the immune system. This nutrient is abundantly found in citrus fruits, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli and bell peppers.
• Sources of Omega 3: Omega 3 fatty acid has anti-inflammatory properties and helps relieve pain. Its good sources include fatty fish (salmon and sardines), walnuts, chia seeds, and flax seeds.
• Foods containing antioxidants: Antioxidants prevent oxidative stress that slows down the healing process. You can find them in many plant foods including berries, spinach and green tea.

Duration of hand tendon rupture treatment

Tendon ruptures can lead to severe pain and reduce your ability to use the affected joint. Some people may experience persistent pain or discomfort even after treatment.

In general, the process of tendon repair is done in three stages which can be seen in summary in the table below:

Tendon repair is usually a time-consuming process; Whether surgery is done or not. The factors that affect this period of time are:

• Extent of damage
• Treatment type
• The speed of receiving treatment
• Individual factors such as age and general health status

How to prevent hand tendon damage?

Many people who suffer from tendon injuries consider this to be completely accidental. Although some injuries are truly unpreventable, in many cases they occur due to carelessness or not following safety tips. For this reason, it is recommended to take the following points seriously and follow them:

• Be more careful when using a saw or cutting machine and make sure hands are away from the blade.
• Don't put your hand in the snow blower or lawn mower; Even if the device is turned off.
• Do not carry glass bottles at the same time. Falling down can have serious consequences.
• Don't use a knife to cut frozen meat or pit large fruits like avocados.
• Never punch the glass or window to vent your anger.

Final word

Hand tendon rupture may be caused by exercise, injury, or some chronic diseases such as tendonitis, and may be partial or complete. In a partial tear, the doctor recommends non-invasive treatments; While a complete tear usually requires surgery.

Many people recover completely after treatment. But the speed and extent of recovery depends on various factors such as age, extent of damage and type of treatment. If you suffer from severe hand pain or are unable to open and close your hand, be sure to consult the professionals at GCORP LLC. The sooner the cause of your problem is identified, the less likely long-term complications will occur.

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Sources: bssh | medicalnewstoday | southshorehealth