Tendon injuries
Tendon Injuries & Transfers
Common Patient Questions:
- What happens if I cut a tendon in my hand?
- What is tendon transfer surgery and when is it needed?
- How long does it take to regain strength after tendon repair?
- What’s the difference between flexor and extensor tendon surgery?
What Happens If I Cut a Tendon in My Hand?
Understanding Tendon Injuries & Transfers
By David Bodansky, Consultant Hand & Wrist Surgeon
Tendons are the strong, cord-like structures that connect your muscles to your bones. In the hand, they allow you to bend, straighten, grip, and manipulate objects with incredible precision. But when a tendon is cut or ruptured—even partially—these essential movements can be lost or seriously weakened.
In both emergency trauma and planned reconstructions, understanding your options is key. Let’s look at the most common questions I hear in clinic and theatre.
What happens if I cut a tendon in my hand?
If a tendon is completely cut, the muscle can no longer move the joint it controls. The result is typically:
- Inability to bend or straighten a finger or thumb
- Loss of grip strength or hand function
- Pain, swelling, and possible open wounds
Even a small cut can cause permanent stiffness or loss of motion if not treated promptly. Tendons do not “heal themselves” when severed — they must be surgically repaired to restore function.
What is tendon transfer surgery and when is it needed?
Tendon transfer surgery involves re-routing a working tendon to take over the function of a tendon that is damaged beyond repair, or where a nerve injury has left a tendon inactive.
It’s commonly used when:
- The original tendon is no longer functional (e.g., in late tendon ruptures or nerve palsies)
- A specific muscle-tendon unit is missing or paralysed (e.g., after spinal cord injury, brachial plexus injury, or radial nerve palsy)
- Surgery is needed to rebalance the hand after trauma or congenital differences
Tendon transfers are carefully planned and customised to the individual, and can restore critical functions like thumb opposition, finger extension, or grip strength.
How long does it take to regain strength after tendon repair?
Tendon repair recovery requires time, protection, and structured rehabilitation. Typical recovery involves:
- First 4–6 weeks: Protected movement in a splint under supervision of a hand therapist
- 6–12 weeks: Gradual increase in range of motion
- 3–6 months: Restoration of strength and dexterity
- 6–12 months: Full recovery in complex or high-demand cases
Regaining strength depends on early therapy, avoiding tendon rupture or adhesions, and patient commitment to the rehab process. You’ll be supported by a specialist team throughout.
What’s the difference between flexor and extensor tendon surgery?
The hand contains two main tendon systems:
- Flexor tendons: On the palm side, responsible for bending the fingers and thumb
- Extensor tendons: On the back of the hand, responsible for straightening
Flexor tendon surgery is more delicate and requires stricter post-op protocols, as these tendons lie in tight tunnels and are more prone to stiffness and adhesions.
Extensor tendon surgery is generally more straightforward to rehabilitate, but still requires careful splinting and therapy.
Each type of repair has its own recovery protocol, and the approach is tailored to the location and severity of the injury.
When to Act
A missed or poorly treated tendon injury can result in lifelong hand dysfunction. If you’ve suffered a laceration, noticed sudden loss of finger motion, or have been told you may need a tendon transfer, seeking early specialist input is essential.
Suffered a hand injury or facing tendon reconstruction?
At davidbodansky.com, I offer expert surgical care for tendon injuries and reconstructive solutions like tendon transfers—using modern techniques and tailored rehabilitation plans to restore motion, strength, and confidence in your hand.