Health

Flexor Tendon Injury Rehabilitation At Home: Exercises And Self-Care

Written by Dr. David G Kiely
On

A flexor tendon injury occurs when the tendons that connect the muscles in your forearms to your fingers are torn or damaged. This is how tendons that are responsible for the bending of your finger impact the hand’s function.

What Are The Causes Of A Flexor Tendon Injury?

Flexor tendon injury could be caused due to many reasons-

Flexor Tendon Injury
  • Trauma- Sharp objects like knives or glasses, blunt objects like accidents, falls or sports injuries, and deep-cut lacerations that sever the tendon could be the reason why there is a flexor tendon injury.
  • Overuse and repetitive motion- Hand gestures including playing instruments, typing, and assembly lines in a repeated motion can lead to tendinitis.
  • Inflammatory condition- Conditions like arthritis and lupus can cause inflammation in the tendons which leads to the condition.
  • Infections- In rare cases, infections in the fingers could spread to the tendons which is the result of cuts or slices.
  • Age and degeneration- With age, your tendons get weaker and that could lead to it flaring up.
  • Diabetes-Diabetic hand syndrome that leads to stiffness and contractures in fingers, destroying the tendons.

Find More: What Is Brown Adipose Tissue? Functions And Significance

Symptoms Of Flexor Tendon Injury

The symptoms of flexor tendon injury include-

  • Pain- It can range from mild to severe and could spread to the fingers as well.
  • Swelling- Some also notice swelling around the tendons and near the hands.
  • Inability to bend a joint- In more severe cases, the finger or joint cannot be bent.
  • Deformity- Some people also experience deformity due to the repeated pain in the tendons.
  • Limited range of motion- Along with the pain, you could feel that your grip isn’t as tight as it used to be. Balancing things could also be a challenge.
  • Numbness or tingling People have reported feeling a numbing or tingling sensation near the fingers leading up to the tendons and even the palm.
  • Tendon gap– In some cases, there is a visible gap in the skin or divot where the tendon has retracted or pulled away.

Find More: Fibromyalgia Rash On Face: Identification And Soothing Treatments

Flexon Tendon Injury Rehabilitation At Home

Rehabilitating a flexon tendon injury at home requires a structured approach that combines self-care measures, exercises, and a gradual progression of movement. It could include-

  • Immobilization and rest- Initially, your healthcare provider may recommend immobilizing it with a cast. Ask the doctor about how long you need to keep it immobilized. It could be with or without a cast.
  • Wound care- If the tendon injury is a result of a cut, keep the site clean and dry. Change the dressings regularly.
  • Pain management- You could use over-the-counter medications to make sure you are not in any pain. If that isn’t working for you, you should talk to your healthcare worker.
  • Finger exercises- Once the wound has healed and you are ready for physical therapy, start doing finger exercises. Perform them at least 2-3 times a day.  Start with flexion which includes gently folding the finger into a fist, resting it for a while, and then straightening it right back. You could then try extension which includes opening your hands to straighten the affected finger. Individual finger exercises comprise the activity of moving each finger. All this should be done while exercising caution. You shouldn’t rush it and wait until the pain resides.g
  • Tendon gliding exercises- These include forming different kinds of fists like hook fists or full fists to improve the sliding and gliding of the flexor tendon under the tendon sheath.
  • Gradual progression- As you progress with your exercises and notice improvement, consult with a doctor or physical therapist. To increase the intensity and duration of the exercises, you should keep an eye on your improvement.
  • Cold compression there is swelling you could use cold compress to reduce it significantly. Try this for the first 48 hours without fail.
  • Hand elevation- Always keep your hand at an elevated position to reduce the swelling and the pain.

Conclusion

Remember that rehabilitation is a gradual process and it’s important to avoid pushing your hand too hard too soon. That could hinder the recovery and can even undo all your work. If the pain worsens you should consider going to the hospital and then try on the home rehabilitation methods.

Our recommendations are rooted in genuine belief in the benefits of the products bring to users. When you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, supporting our testing and development without adding any cost for you. Learn more.

Dr. David G Kiely

Dr. David G Kiely is a distinguished Medical Reviewer and former General Medicine Consultant with a wealth of experience in the field. Dr. Kiely's notable career as a General Medicine Consultant highlights his significant contributions to the medical field.

Learn More

Leave a Comment