What causes extensor tendon injury?

What causes extensor tendon injury?

Anything from minor cuts to major hand trauma can result in injury to these tendons. Crushing injuries, such as jamming fingers in a door frame, animal bites, sports injuries, and rheumatoid arthritis are all common causes of Extensor Tendon injuries.

What is terminal extensor tendon?

The terminal extensor tendon is a thin, flat structure measuring approximately 1 mm thick and 4-5 mm wide. This tendon occupies the sparse space between the bone and dorsal skin and inserts onto the dorsal lip of the distal phalanx, well proximal to the germinal nail matrix.

What is a disrupted tendon?

Tendons can be disrupted either by a sharp injury (where the tendon is divided by, for instance, a kitchen knife), or an overstretching of a joint (where the tendon is torn off the bone – an avulsion injury).

What is the most common hand tendon injury describe the mechanism of injury?

Mallet Finger This is the most common closed tendon injury. Mechanism of Injury: Forced flexion of the extended DIP joint, most commonly associated with catching a ball. Clinical Presentation: Pain at dorsum of the DIP along with inability to actively extend the DIP joint.

What happens if you tear your extensor tendon?

They can be injured by a minor cut or jamming a finger, which may cause the thin tendons to rip from their attachment to bone. If not treated, an extensor tendon injury may make it hard to straighten one or more joints.

How do you repair an extensor tendon?

What are the treatment options? Surgery will be required in order to repair the damaged tendon. A small incision is made to locate the ends of the tendon and they are then stitched back together. Because extensor tendons are easy to reach they are relatively easy to repair.

How do you fix an extensor tendon?

How do you treat an extensor tendon injury?

How are extensor tendon injuries treated? Cuts that split the tendon may need stitches or surgical repair, but tears caused by jamming injuries are usually treated with splints. Splints stop the healing ends of the tendons from pulling apart and should be worn at all times until the tendon is fully healed.

What happens when you tear a tendon in your foot?

These tendons work together to stabilize the foot and ankle and are very important to our daily functioning. When tendons become injured or torn, it can cause pain, swelling, weakness in the foot and ankle, and discomfort when standing, walking or playing sports.

How do you treat a foot tendon injury?

Treatments

1. Rest. You may need to take a break from any activities that put pressure on the injured tendon.
2. Ice. Cold packs may help to reduce pain and swelling.
3. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAID).
4. Brace or cast.
5. Orthotics.
6. Steroid (cortisone) injections.
7. Exercise and physical therapy.
8. Surgery.

What is extensor lag finger?

This is characterised by an extensor lag (inability to extend) at the proximal interphalangeal joint (the middle joint of the finger) and hyperextension at the distal interphalangeal joint (the joint at the tip of the finger). Open extensor tendon injuries are usually caused by a laceration or crush injury.

Can extensor tendon heal without surgery?

Sometimes, damage to the extensor tendons can be treated without the need for surgery, using a rigid support called a splint that’s worn around the hand.