What is an Extensor Tendon?
The extensor tendons located on the back of the hand and fingers are structures that ensure that the fingers and thumb are straight. These tendons are attached to muscles in the forearm. As the tendons move towards the fingers, they become straight and thin. In the fingers, smaller tendons from the smaller muscles in the hand join these tendons.
How are Extensor Tendons Injured?
Extensor Tendons are located directly under the skin, on top of the bone, on the back of the hand and fingers. Due to their location, a small cut can easily wound them.
A less common type of injury is when the tendons tear from where they attach to the bone as a result of a finger being squeezed. After this type of injury, it is difficult to move one or more joints into a straight position. A suitable treatment is necessary in order to use your tendon and finger again after the injury.
What are the Symptoms of Extensor Tendon Injuries?
Pain is at the top of the symptoms at the site of injury. Also, when the extensor tendon is injured for some reason, there is a straightening movement disorder in the affected finger.
How are Extensor Tendon Injuries Treated?
In cases where the tendon is cut, the tendon ends are brought together and stitched with surgery.
However, in some cases, tears in the extensor tendon at the end of the finger that occur without a cut are typically treated with a splint. Splints hold the position and angle of the fingers and prevent the separated ends of the tendons from separating. Splints should be used until the tendon is completely healed without being removed.
Sometimes, in a short procedure under operating room conditions, the affected joint is temporarily fixed with a K-wire.
What are the Most Common Extensor Tendon Injuries?
Hammer finger is a condition characterized by the cutting or detachment of an extensor tendon at the end joint (distal interphalangeal joint) of a finger. The patient cannot bring the finger tip from a bent position to a straight position without assistance or by himself with the other hand. Hammer finger injury is divided into two.
Bony Hammer Finger: The tendon does not tear at the point where it is attached to the bone, but a piece of bone is torn off. (Bony Mallet Finger)
Tendinous Hammer Finger: Mostly at the joint line at the end of the finger, the tendon tears without a cutting injury, as a result of squeezing the finger or lifting heavy objects.
How is the Treatment of Hammer Finger (Mallet Finger)?
Whether the injury is bone or tendon, the finger must be fixed in a proper position. The fixation is done with a cast. The size of the cast and the duration you need to wear it are determined based on the type and location of your injury. The cast must remain in place during this period. Complete healing of the tendon may take approximately 8 weeks or longer in some patients. Early removal of the cast may cause the tip of the finger to droop and may require the use of a cast for a longer period. Even if the cast is applied at the right time, there may be a slight permanent droop in the affected joint, even if the joint is affected.
Do You Need Surgery for the Treatment of Mallet Finger?
If the tendon is cut by a cutting object, sutures are required. A bony mallet finger requires surgery if there is a joint internal fracture.
What is Boutonniere Deformity?
It describes the bent position of the finger at the middle joint due to the cutting or tearing of the Extensor Tendon over the middle joint. The treatment is to stabilize the injured tendon in a straight position until it is completely healed. Suture may be required even if the tendon is cut or torn. If the injury is not treated or the cast is not applied properly, the finger may bend rapidly and eventually harden in this position.
Treatment of Injuries Due to Cuts
Cuts resulting from injuries to the Extensor Tendons on the back of the hand make it difficult to straighten the finger at the joint where the fingers meet. Aligning the ends of the tendon is a requirement for treating these injuries. After the surgery and skin closure, a cast is used to fix the repair in a specific position. The cast for tendon injury in this area may include the wrist and part of the finger.
