FLEXOR TENDON REPAIR

0 – 3 weeks

· You have had a tendon/s repaired in your hand.  The repair is very weak at the moment therefore a splint has been made to protect it and to prevent you from using your hand.

· You must wear the splint ALL THE TIME.
· You will be taught special exercises.  These are to help keep the tendon moving without damaging it, and to help stop it from becoming ‘stuck’ down.
                                                                                        
· Keep your hand up as much as possible, to help reduce swelling.

Exercises

Do these EVERY HOUR IN YOUR SPLINT.

1. Using your uninjured hand, bend the fingers into the palm of your hand.  Repeat this 10 times for each finger.
 
2. Using your uninjured hand, bend all your fingers down into the palm.  Take your other hand away and count to 5 keeping your fingers bent.
 
Straighten your fingers back to the splint.  Do this 5 times.

DO NOT……. 

· Do not remove your splint or get your splint wet or place it on anything hot.
· Do not use your hand for ANYTHING other than the exercises shown to you.

 

3 – 6 weeks

· Continue to wear your splint all the time.

· Keep doing all your previous exercises.

· You can now start to move your fingers by themselves.

· Once your stitches have been taken out (at around 10-14 days after your operation) you can begin massaging your scar.

 

Exercises

Do these only after you have done your other exercises.

Repeat these every hour.

1. Slowly bend your fingers into your palm.
 

Slowly straighten your fingers back to the splint.  Repeat these 5 times.

 

2. You will be taught how to massage your scar.  This will help prevent it becoming stuck down, and will also make it look a lot better.

 

6 – 8 weeks

Your splint will be gradually straightened.  You do not have to wear the splint all the time now.  Wear it less during the day BUT continue to wear your splint:

· In bed
· In crowds
· Anytime you feel your hand maybe ‘at risk’

EXERCISES

· Continue all  your previous exercises
· Curl you fingers into your palm, hold them there and gently bend your wrist forwards and backwards. DO NOT force your wrist backwards.

 Do

· Continue all your exercises
· Continue to massage your scar
· Use your hand within the limits explained to you by your therapist

 Do Not

· Push hard against any objects
e.g.  Pushing doors open
  Getting out of a bath
  Pushing yourself out of a chair

· Do not lift anything heavier than a bag of sugar

· Do not drive

          

 

8 - 12 weeks

 

Your tendon is getting a little stronger. 

Your therapist will teach you exercises to help build the strength of your tendon and increase the amount of movement in your fingers.

 Do

· Continue to massage your scar
· Continue all your exercises

· You may consider driving at 10 weeks (not HGV)
                
 

· You can start doing light work for short periods only
e.g.  writing    
  light housework
  using a keyboard

· Wear your splint at night if your therapist feels you need to

 Do Not

· Do not play contact sports
· Do not lift anything heavier than 6 lbs
· Avoid repetitive work e.g. writing for long periods
 

12 + weeks

Your tendon is getting stronger

Your hand and arm will be weak due to lack of use

Your therapist will teach you exercises to help get the strength back

Check with your therapist before returning to:

· Heavy work
· Contact sports
· Sports or work that require prolonged periods of holding e.g. rock climbing