Tendon rupture in your hand, wrist, or elbows occurs due to trauma, injuries, age, and excessive strain. Tendons are strong tissue cords linking muscles to bones. When muscles tighten, tendons pull on bones, allowing you to make movements.
A rupture in the tendon can affect your ability to move and use the hand, wrist, or elbow. Tendon repair may be needed when the tendons get ruptured, torn, or damaged. It can fix damaged or torn tendons and help restore movement in the affected part.
During some physical activities like jumping, the pressure on a tendon may be more than five times your body weight. In some instances, tendons can snap or rupture partially or completely for reasons such as trauma, injuries, age, and excessive strain.
If the tendon detaches from the bone, it’s called a complete tear. However, if it remains intact, the rupture is only partial.
Tendon rupture can be acute or chronic. Acute tendon rupture causes immediate pain and reduced function. When a rupture remains untreated for over four weeks, it is classified as a chronic ruptured tendon.
There are two groups of tendons in the hand:
Tendon rupture repair depends on the severity of the tear. If symptoms are severe, tendon repair surgery may be required. Reducing movement and resting the tendon are the most common treatment options for a ruptured tendon.
The bicep is the muscle in your upper arm that helps you bend your elbow and twist your forearm. Three tendons attach your bicep to the bone. Biceps tendon injuries occur when the tendon tears. The tear can also occur in the shoulder or elbow due to injury or repetitive motion.
Based on the location and severity of the rupture, there are three types of bicep tendon injuries:
Elbow bicep tendon tears usually happen because of an injury.
The symptoms of a ruptured tendon may vary depending on where the rupture, tear, or snap has occurred or whether it is complete or partial. Common symptoms include:
Hand tendon repair is needed when one or more tendons in your hand rupture, causing the loss of normal hand movements. If your extensor tendons are damaged, you may be unable to straighten one or more fingers. If your flexor tendons are damaged, you may be unable to bend one or more fingers.
Tendon ruptures usually occur in the middle-aged or older population. In a young person, the muscle usually tears before the tendon. Tendon ruptures are more common in older people and those with certain illnesses like gout or hyperparathyroidism.
Common causes of tendon rupture include:
Diagnosing a ruptured tendon in the hand, wrist, or elbow usually involves the following procedures:
Tendon repair surgery is performed to treat a torn or damaged tendon. During this procedure, the surgeon makes a cut in the wrist, hand, or finger to locate the ends of the torn tendon and stitch them together.
A tendon graft may be needed if the tendon rupture is severe and cannot be reconnected. It involves using a piece of tendon from another part of the body or an artificial tendon.
Anesthesia is used during tendon repair to minimize discomfort during the surgery. Extensor and flexor tendon repair is usually done under a regional or general anesthetic.
Tendon repairs are typically done as outpatient surgery, meaning you can leave the hospital the same day. If a hospital stay is needed, it is usually short.
Healing takes about 12 weeks. A splint or cast may support the injured tendon to reduce strain during this time. Physical or occupational therapy helps regain movement safely, though it may be gradual and accompanied by stiffness.
Recovery from tendon surgery is long because repaired tendons are weak until fully healed, which can take up to 3 months, depending on the injury location. Light activities may resume after 6 to 8 weeks, while heavy activities and sports may take 10 to 12 weeks.
Tendon repair is performed to restore the normal function and movement of your hand, wrist, or elbow following a tendon injury or tear. At Kimball Health Services, our orthopedic team or our board-certified hand and orthopedic surgeons provide compassionate and expert treatment for ruptured tendon repairs.
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