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Treatment options for tendon injuries in hand and wrist
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Tendon injuries in the hand and wrist can significantly impact your grip, flexibility, and daily activities. These injuries may result from trauma, overuse, or inflammatory conditions. Timely and appropriate treatment is essential to restore function and avoid long-term complications.
This blog focuses solely on the treatment options for tendon injury in hand, categorized into non-surgical and surgical approaches.
Non-surgical treatments for tendon injury
Non-surgical options are often effective for mild to moderate cases of hand tendon injury or inflammation-related conditions. These include:
1. Rest & Immobilization
- A splint, brace, or cast may be used to restrict movement.
- Helps reduce strain and allows the tendon in hand to heal naturally.
2. Ice therapy
- Applying ice packs for 15–20 minutes several times a day reduces swelling and inflammation.
- Most effective in the first 48–72 hours post-injury.
3. Medications
- NSAIDs like ibuprofen help control pain and swelling.
- Topical anti-inflammatory gels can also be used.
4. Corticosteroid injections
- Useful in chronic inflammation or repetitive strain injuries.
- Provides quick relief but should be used with caution to avoid weakening the hand tendons.
5. Physical therapy & Hand rehabilitation
- Involves stretching, strengthening, and mobility exercises.
- Essential for restoring range of motion and preventing stiffness.
6. Ultrasound & Electrical stimulation therapy
- Increases blood flow and speeds up healing.
- Often combined with physical therapy for chronic tendon damage in hand.
7. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy (Advanced)
- PRP injections use your own platelets to promote healing.
- Helpful in chronic tendon injury in hand not responding to standard treatments.
8. Occupational therapy
- Focuses on regaining functionality for daily tasks like writing, gripping, and lifting.
- Custom splints may be used to support healing.
Surgical treatments for tendon injury
Surgical intervention is recommended when there is a complete tendon rupture, severe tendon damage in hand, or when non-surgical methods fail to restore normal function. Below are the common surgical treatments used for tendon injury in hand and wrist:
1. Primary tendon repair
- This is the most common type of surgery for acute tendon injuries.
- The surgeon stitches the torn ends of the tendon in hand back together using fine sutures.
- The goal is to restore the natural length and tension of the hand tendon.
- Ideally performed within the first 1–2 weeks after injury for optimal healing.
- After the repair, the hand is usually immobilized in a splint or cast to protect the site.
2. Delayed primary repair
- If the injury is older than 2–3 weeks, scar tissue may complicate direct repair.
- The surgeon may first clean the area, followed by a staged repair, depending on tissue quality and tension.
3. Tendon grafting
- Used when the hand tendon is too damaged to repair directly.
- A healthy tendon (often taken from the patient’s wrist, foot, or another finger) is grafted in place of the damaged one.
- This is common in chronic cases where scar tissue has compromised the original tendon.
4. Tendon transfer
- In cases where the original tendon cannot function, a functioning tendon from a nearby muscle is redirected to take over the job.
- Common for complex injuries or when nerves are also damaged.
- This requires precise surgical planning to ensure optimal finger or wrist movement post-recovery.
5. Tenolysis
- In some post-operative or chronic cases, tendons get stuck to surrounding tissue due to scarring.
- Tenolysis is a procedure where the surgeon frees the tendon from adhesions, allowing smoother motion.
6. Reconstruction of pulley system (if needed)
- In certain tendon injuries, especially flexor tendons, the pulleys that guide the tendon may be damaged.
- Surgical reconstruction of this system ensures that the tendon moves properly without bowstringing.
7. Use of microsurgical techniques
- All surgical procedures for hand tendon injury are often performed using microsurgery to ensure precision.
- This helps preserve delicate structures like nerves and blood vessels, critical for hand function.
Post-surgical immobilization
- Following surgery, the hand is usually placed in a splint for 4–6 weeks.
- This reduces strain on the repaired tendon and allows initial healing.
Rehabilitation after surgery
- Post-surgical therapy is crucial for regaining full function.
- This includes:
- Gradual stretching and strengthening exercises
- Monitoring for complications such as stiffness, infection, or tendon re-tear
- Gradual stretching and strengthening exercises
- Full recovery may take 3–6 months or more depending on injury severity and response to therapy.
Conclusion
Whether your tendon injury in hand requires conservative care or surgical repair, early intervention is key. At Krisha Hand Hospital, Dr. Karn Maheshwari and his team specialize in treating all types of hand tendon injury with personalized care plans.
Book your consultation today and get back to pain-free, functional living.
Author bio
Dr. Karn Maheshwari is the founder of Krisha Hand Hospital, Ahmedabad, established in 2016. He is the only fnb-qualified hand surgeon across Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.
With MS and DNB in orthopedics, Dr. Maheshwari specializes in treating a wide range of hand and wrist conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, sports hand injuries, orthopedic hand surgery, ganglion cysts, mangled hand injuries, congenital hand differences, brachial plexus palsy, cerebral palsy & spastic hand, hand tendinopathy, hand microsurgery, hand swelling, hand transplants, hand reimplantation, rheumatoid hand deformities, and peripheral nerve injuries & compressive neuropathies.
Dr. Maheshwari’s unmatched expertise and patient-centric approach ensure world-class treatment, advanced surgical solutions, and optimal recovery for patients with complex hand and wrist conditions.
FAQs
The best treatment depends on the severity. Mild cases often respond to rest, medication, and therapy, while severe injuries may require surgical repair.
Surgery is needed when there is a complete tear, tendon rupture, or when non-surgical treatments fail to restore function.
Physical therapy is effective for partial tears and inflammation but may not be sufficient for complete ruptures, which need surgical intervention.
Risks include infection, stiffness, nerve damage, scar formation, or limited movement. However, these are minimized with proper care and rehab.
Healing typically takes 3 to 6 months, including a period of immobilization followed by structured physical therapy.
Yes, treatments like PRP therapy, corticosteroid injections, and physiotherapy may work for some patients with partial tendon injuries.
Expect immobilization for several weeks, followed by gradual therapy. You may experience temporary stiffness, but function improves with regular rehab.
Yes, especially if the hand is overused during recovery or if proper therapy isn’t followed. Preventive care and strengthening exercises are essential.
Most patients regain good strength and function, but it may take several months. The outcome also depends on the injury’s severity and adherence to rehab.
Delaying surgery can complicate the repair process. It’s best to follow your specialist’s recommendation for optimal results.
Mild strains may improve with rest, but most tendon injuries in the hand require some form of treatment—especially moderate to severe cases—to heal properly and avoid long-term dysfunction.
Yes, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is often effective for chronic or partial tendon injuries. It promotes healing by using the body’s natural growth factors but may not replace surgery in severe tears.
Yes. While both may involve immobilization and therapy, tendon injuries often impair movement due to muscle attachment, whereas ligament injuries mostly affect joint stability. Surgical techniques also vary.
A custom splint or dynamic splint may be used depending on the tendon involved. The goal is to immobilize the hand in a position that promotes healing while preventing stiffness.
Not always. Many hand tendon surgeries are performed under local or regional anesthesia, often with sedation, depending on the complexity and patient condition.
Yes. Occupational therapy is essential for helping patients regain fine motor skills and strength needed for daily activities like writing, gripping, or using utensils.
Yes. Some tendon surgeries can now be done using microsurgical or minimally invasive techniques, which reduce scarring and recovery time.
Untreated tendon damage in the hand can lead to permanent loss of movement, joint stiffness, chronic pain, and even deformity over time.
Yes. Scar tissue can restrict tendon glide. Procedures like tenolysis may be needed to remove adhesions and improve function if conservative methods fail.
Yes, re-injury is possible, especially if the hand is not adequately protected during recovery. Following your surgeon’s post-op instructions and rehab plan is crucial.