What is an extensor tendon?
Extensor tendons allow your fingers, thumb and hand to straighten. These tendons are attached to muscles located in the forearm that extend down to the fingers and are joined by smaller tendons from the muscles in the hand. The small tendons in the hand allow for finger motion and coordination, which allows you to pick up and move items.

How is an extensor tendon injured?
The extensor tendon is on the back of the hand and lies close to the bone just under the surface of the skin. Because of its location, the extensor tendon is very susceptible to injury, even by a seemingly minor cut. Injury can also occur when a finger is jammed, causing a tendon to rip apart from the bone.

What are common injuries of the extensor tendon?
Mallet finger occurs when the fingertip cannot be straightened, which causes a droop at the end joint where the extensor tendon has been injured (cut or separated). Injuries usually result from a laceration or jammed finger. Your physician will recommend a special splint to help keep your finger straight. The type and length of splint is based upon the location of the injury. You'll need to wear the splint until the tendon has had time to heal. Early removal of the splint may result in a drooping finger. Make sure you follow your physician's recommendations on the appropriate time to remove your splint.

Boutonniere deformity occurs when the middle joint of the finger remains in a bent position, resulting from a cut or tear in the tendon. If a cut has occurred, you will need stitches to repair the tendon. Your middle joint will be splinted to keep it straight until the tendon has healed completely. If for some reason the injury is not treated or your splint is worn incorrectly, your finger could continue to bend and finally stiffen in this position. Follow your physician's recommendations to prevent any complications and allow the quickest possible healing time.

Lacerations that occur on the back of the hand and go through the extensor tendon will cause difficulty in straightening the hand. To remedy this problem, the tendon is stitched together and then the hand is splinted, allowing the tendon to heal.

How is the injury treated?
Most extensor tendon injuries are treated with splints, which should be worn until the tendon has fully healed.

However, when there is a laceration to the tendon, hand surgery is often required. At The Centre, P.C., we are now using the Teno FixT Tendon Repair System when applicable, which enables early active range of motion and an earlier return to work. With Teno Fix, your hand surgeon installs an innovative soft-tissue anchor into each end of the tendon. A braided stainless steel suture is then inserted through the anchor, allowing the severed tendon ends to be reattached.

When hand surgery is required, The Centre, P.C. recommends the use of the VitaMedica Surgery Program, a comprehensive pre- and post-surgery nutritional supplement system designed specifically for patients undergoing extensive surgical procedures.

What can I expect as a result of my injury?
Tendon injuries can result in the tendon attaching itself to a bone or scar tissue. Fractures and infections can affect the seriousness of the injury. Scar tissue may prevent a finger from fully bending or straightening. To improve your range of motion, therapy may be required. The Centre, P.C. offers a comprehensive range of therapy services in our Rehabilitation department. In some cases, the TenoGlide or DigiGlide therapy devices may be recommended by your rehabilitation therapist.

Contact our hand surgeons to schedule a hand injury consultation. The Centre, P.C. helps patients with extensor tendon injuries, serving Elkhart and South Bend, Indiana, Michiana and the Southern Michigan area, and Chicago.

 

Elkhart Office

RiverPointe Medical Building
500 Arcade Ave., Suite 300
Elkhart, IN 46514
FAX: 574-293-1511

Chesterton Office

Duneland Health & Wellness Institute
810 Michael Drive, Suite K
Chesterton, IN 46304
Fax: 219.926.3534

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