Tendon injuries are injuries to tendons or cables the muscles that link muscles and bones and control their movement. A tendon injury is painful and destabilizes normal functioning of the patient accompanied with pain and discomfort. Hence, a tendon repair is a must to relieve pain and restore the functionality of the joint.
Tendons are strong strands of fibrous tissues. There are multiple tendons in the body, viz. small tendons in the finger, the Achilles tendon in the foot, biceps bending the elbow, etc.
It is necessary to proceed with a tendon repair surgery if essential without any delay as a misaligned joint can cause pain, stiffness, and loss of motion and puts stress on a different area of the body other than the injured tendon and joint. Further loss of movement of the affected joint causes joint stiffness and compensatory deformity of other joints of the affected finger or limb.
Tendon repair through surgery is best treatment for injured tendon. Ideally a patient should choose a hand reconstructive surgeon or an orthopedic hand surgeon. Dr Leena Jain, leading plastic surgeon and reconstruction specialist, states, ‘Tendon repair surgery involves sewing the ends of the torn tendons together, or in case of severe or diseased tendons, a tendon graft is used to repair the torn tendons. Tendon repair surgeries depend upon the tear’s extent and location and status of available tendons.
Generally, tendon repair surgeries are done in the forearm and hand and in the legs, ankles and feet. The focus of these surgeries is to make the tendons function normally. Depending upon the location and the extent of tendon injury, the surgeon, either stitches the tendon, repairs with a tendon graft or transfers a less important tendon to replace the injured tendon to make it functional. She advises that proper physical or occupational therapy is a must after tendon repair for its successful outcome. In addition, it is advisable to proceed with a tendon repair surgery as early as possible after the injury for ease in surgery and recovery. Delay in tendon repair can lead to complications and immobility in the affected tendon and joint.
Dr Leena Jain is an expert Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgeon and Plastic Surgeon with 7+ years of experience. She is a super-specialist with two international fellowships in hand surgery, including one fellowship in hand and wrist reconstruction and another fellowship in microvascular reconstruction.
She is a prolific writer with numerous articles and has delivered speeches on hand and wrist reconstruction, microvascular reconstructive surgery, complex hand/wrist trauma, and diabetic neuropathy. In addition, she has successfully treated many complicated tendon repair and hand reconstruction cases.
Patients can consult her at Lilavati Hospital, Bandra and Plastikos Clinic, Borivali, in Mumbai. Dr Leena Jain can be reached at +91 98209 91853 and email patient details at link.jain@gmail.com.
