This is surgery to repair a damaged or torn tendon.
A tendon attaches muscle to bone. If a tendon tears, the muscle will no longer be able to work properly. This will cause weakness. Reattaching the tendon can fix the weakness.
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a tendon repair, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the surgery.
Your doctor will likely do the following:
Leading up to the procedure:
Depending on where the tendon is located, you may be given:
The doctor will make a cut in the skin over the injured tendon. The torn ends of the tendon will be sewn together or reattached to the bone. If you have a severe injury, a tendon graft may be needed. In this case, a piece of healthy tendon will be taken from another part of the body. This healthy tendon will be used to reconnect the broken tendon. The doctor will examine the area for injuries to nerves and blood vessels. Lastly, the incision will be closed with stitches.
The doctor may put you in a splint or cast. This is to keep the injured area in position for proper healing. The splint or cast will usually stay on for a period of weeks.
This depends on where the tendon is located and the severity of the injury. For example, if you injured the flexor tendon in your finger, it can take 45-60 minutes to repair.
You will have pain during recovery. Ask your doctor about pain medicine.
When you return home, do the following to help ensure a smooth recovery:
Follow these guidelines to care for your splint or cast:
After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
In case of an emergency, CALL 911.
RESOURCES:
American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://www.aaos.org/
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
http://www.aossm.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org/
Canadian Rheumatology Association
http://www.rheum.ca/
References:
Achilles tendon surgery advances speed recovery. American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons website. Available at: http://www.acfas.org. Accessed September 17, 2009.
The PDR Family Guide Encyclopedia of Medical Care. New York, NY: Three Rivers Press; 1197.
Repair to tendon (hand). website. NHS England website. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/tendonhand/Pages/Surgery.aspx. Updated March 2009. Accessed September 17, 2009.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Robert E. Leach, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.