A laceration is a tear or ragged opening in the skin usually caused by an injury or trauma. A laceration may be either a partial laceration or a complete laceration. Since the nerves of the hands are located very close to the tendons, a laceration may damage them as well, causing weakness in your fingers.

Causes

Tendon lacerations may be caused by blunt trauma such as a sudden blow or a fall or by sharp objects such as a knife or broken glass.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a tendon laceration include inability to actively move the joints the tendon normally moves with a passive correctable deformity. Passive movement however maybe possible. They are usually minimally painful with little swelling. Numbness or sensory loss is usually not associated unless there is a concurrent nerve laceration. Distally the colour of the digits or capillary refill time is preserved.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a tendon laceration is made on the basis of your history and physical examination. An X-ray may be taken to rule out any fractures or foreign bodies. An ultrasound may help to confirm the diagnosis of a lacerated tendon and localize the proximal end of the retracted tendon.

Treatment

Tendon laceration may require nerve repair using microvascular techniques if there is no tendon substance loss. If there is tendon substance loss a tendon graft maybe required which may be harvested from the patients’ own body.

Dr Bala uses special magnification loupes during surgery to visualize and protect these important structures to minimize complications. He has been trained in tendon repair with techniques his mentors have acquired from the Kleinert Institute, Kentucky USA. Aggressive hand physiotherapy is usually prescribed to regain range of motion, strength and function after tendon healing.