Hand & Upper Limb Surgery
Tendon Repair Surgery
Restoring movement after a cut, ruptured, or damaged tendon
Overview
Tendons connect muscle to bone and are what actually let a finger bend, straighten, or grip — when one is cut or ruptured, the muscle above it can still contract normally, but the movement it's meant to produce is lost. Tendon repair surgery reconnects the divided ends so that motion can be restored.
Repairs range from a single tendon divided by a clean cut to more complex injuries involving multiple tendons, nerves, and blood vessels at once — common after glass lacerations, machinery accidents, or gunshot wounds — and from a straightforward single-stage repair to a two-stage reconstruction when the tendon and its gliding surface are too damaged to repair directly.
Candidacy
Is Tendon Repair Surgery Right for You?
- A cut, laceration, or crush injury with an inability to bend or straighten a finger or thumb
- A closed tendon rupture (such as a "jersey finger" or mallet finger) confirmed on examination
- Scarring from a previous repair that has limited how well the tendon glides
- Injuries affecting the flexor or extensor tendons of the hand, wrist, or forearm
What to Expect
Your Journey
- 01
Assessment
Examination of which tendon(s) are involved and whether nerves or blood vessels were also injured, since these are frequently damaged together in the same injury.
- 02
Repair
Performed under regional or general anaesthesia, suturing the tendon ends back together — or, for more damaged tendons, staging reconstruction with a temporary spacer before a second procedure inserts a tendon graft.
- 03
Rehabilitation
A carefully structured hand therapy program begins soon after surgery, using specific splinting and controlled movement protocols to protect the repair while it heals.
Recovery
Recovery & Aftercare
Structured hand therapy is central to the outcome, not an optional extra — protocols balance protecting the healing repair against the stiffness that comes from keeping a tendon completely still. Most patients follow a graded return to movement over 6-12 weeks, with full strength continuing to improve for several months afterward.
Case Gallery
Documented Cases
Graphic Medical Content
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get full movement back?
This depends heavily on the injury itself — how clean the cut was, whether nerves were also involved, and how closely the rehabilitation program is followed. Your surgeon can give a more specific outlook once the injury is assessed.
Why does hand therapy matter so much after tendon repair?
A repaired tendon that's never moved will scar down and stick to surrounding tissue, while one moved too soon or too aggressively can re-rupture — structured therapy is what balances these two risks.
What is a two-stage tendon reconstruction?
When the tendon's gliding bed is too scarred or damaged for a direct repair, a first operation places a smooth temporary spacer to rebuild a gliding tunnel, and a second operation months later threads a tendon graft through it.
More on Tendon Repair Surgery
Have Questions About Tendon Repair Surgery?
Every case is different. Get in touch to discuss your situation, or keep reading for more on candidacy, recovery, and what to expect.
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