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Tendon Conditions
Tendons in the hand attach muscle to bone, allowing your fingers and joints to move. Tears, overuse, and swelling can cause tendons to prohibit movement or function correctly, such as picking or lifting things up, typing, or doing daily tasks.
The primary goal of the MetroHealth Hand and Upper Extremity Center is returning patients to function as quickly and efficiently as possible. Our surgeons are experts in the diagnosis, repair and treatment of tendon injuries, and work closely with our hand therapists to provide hand injury management and therapy.
To make an appointment, call 216-778-HAND (4263) or request an appointment online.
Learn more about common tendon injuries and conditions treated at MetroHealth.
A laceration, or cut, to a tendon can result in a complete or partial tear of the tissue. When a tendon is injured or broken in the hand, due to a deep cut, sports injury, or arthritis, surgery is required to attach the tendon back together.
Symptoms
- Inability to flex or bend injured finger
- Bleeding
- Numbness
- Swelling
Treatment Options
- Surgery to reattach tendon
- Splinting
- Therapeutic exercises post-surgery to strengthen grip
A rotator cuff tear is a tear in the tendons that connect the arm to the shoulder. Lifting heavy items, an athletic injury, trauma, and muscle degeneration can contribute to a rotator cuff tear.
Symptoms
- Pain or weakness when lifting the arm
- Difficulty raising arm
- Inability to lift things
Treatment Options
- Physical therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Surgery to reattach the tendon to the bone
Tendinitis, or tennis elbow, is caused by overuse or degeneration of elbow tendons.
Symptoms
- Radiating elbow or forearm pain when lifting or carrying
- Working with hands
- Swelling around the tendon
Treatment Options
- Splinting
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Steroid injections
- Physical therapy
Each finger has a tendon sheath that acts as a tunnel for the tendons to glide through. Trigger finger occurs when the tendon cannot glide through the tendon sheath.
When the tendon and/or tendon sheath is inflamed, the tendon has less room to move. This results in the tendon catching on the inflamed area. You will notice difficulty opening or closing your fingers most often with a painful click or snap once they do move.
Symptoms
- Finger stiffness
- Popping or catching
- Bent finger with inability to straighten
- Bump near base of affected finger
Treatment Options
- Steroid injections
- Splinting at night
- Surgery for more advanced cases
Adult and Pediatric Surgery Options
Hand Surgery Guide
