Hand & Microvascular Surgery

Tendon Repair in Karimnagar

Tendons are the cables that bend and straighten your fingers. When one is cut, the finger simply stops obeying, and precise surgical repair, followed by disciplined hand therapy, offers the route back to movement.

Overview

Tendons connect forearm muscles to the finger bones, gliding through snug tunnels to produce every bend and straighten. The flexor tendons on the palm side curl the fingers; the extensor tendons on the back open them. A cut tendon announces itself plainly: you cannot bend or straighten the affected finger, though the wound itself may look modest. Because tendons lie just beneath the skin, even a shallow-looking laceration can divide one completely.

Time shapes the options considerably. A freshly cut tendon end can usually be sewn directly, while a tendon left divided for weeks retracts, scars and shortens, turning a straightforward repair into a complex reconstruction. This is why hand surgeons strongly urge prompt assessment of any wound where finger movement is lost. Early repair is not about rushing; it is about operating while the biology is still firmly on your side.

The repair itself is exacting work. Using fine sutures under magnification, Dr Reddy rejoins the tendon with a strong core stitch that holds during early movement, plus a smooth outer suture that lets it glide through its tunnel without catching. The pulley system that keeps tendons close to bone is preserved wherever possible. Where a gap cannot be closed directly, a tendon graft, often from the forearm or foot, bridges the defect, sometimes in planned stages.

Here is the truth hand surgeons repeat like a mantra: rehabilitation is half the result. A beautifully repaired tendon that is left immobilised will glue itself to surrounding tissue and barely move; one that is mobilised too aggressively can rupture. Between those extremes lies a precise, therapist-guided programme of protected early movement, splinting and graded strengthening. Dr Reddy plans the repair and the rehabilitation as one treatment, not two, and works closely with hand therapy through every phase.

Tendon surgery richly rewards magnification, patience and experience, which is why it sits at the heart of Dr Reddy's hand practice. Dedicated hand expertise of this kind remains notably limited across the Karimnagar region, and patients from surrounding towns often discover too late that their injury truly needed a specialist. Local access to timely tendon repair, paired with proper hand therapy, gives injuries here the standard of care they deserve.

Our approach

Every tendon injury is mapped before it is touched. Dr Reddy tests each finger's active and passive movement to identify exactly which tendons are divided and where along their course the cut lies, since the tunnel zones of the finger each carry different implications. Imaging is used selectively; the clinical examination remains the most revealing tool.

The conversation that follows is candid about commitment. Dr Reddy explains the repair, the splinting, and the weeks of therapy the result will depend on, so you understand that surgery is the beginning of the process, not the end. Patients who grasp this partnership between surgeon, therapist and their own discipline consistently do better.

What to expect

Consultation

Dr Reddy examines the wound and tests every finger's movement against resistance, mapping which flexor or extensor tendons are divided and whether nerves or vessels are involved too. X-rays check for associated fractures. You will discuss timing, the repair technique suited to your injury's zone and age, and the rehabilitation programme that follows. For fresh injuries, repair is scheduled promptly.

The procedure

Surgery is usually performed under regional anaesthesia, so the arm is numb while you remain comfortable, with general anaesthesia available when needed. Through a carefully planned incision, the tendon ends are retrieved and rejoined with fine sutures under magnification, the wound closed, and a protective splint applied. The aim is a strong, smooth repair that can begin guided movement within days.

Recovery & rehabilitation

The hand rests in a dorsal splint while the repair gains strength, and a hand therapist then guides protected movement, often starting within the first week. Splinting continues for several weeks, with exercises progressing from gentle gliding to strengthening as healing allows. Dr Reddy reviews the repair at set milestones. Recovery asks for patience and discipline, and most patients see movement build steadily over the months of therapy.

Risks and limitations — stated honestly

Every procedure carries trade-offs. Before you decide, Dr Ashok Reddy will discuss these with you directly:

  • A repaired tendon can rupture, usually from overexertion before healing is complete, which is why the therapy protocol must be followed faithfully.
  • Adhesions, where the healing tendon sticks to surrounding tissue, can limit glide and may later require a surgical release procedure.
  • Full pre-injury strength and suppleness are not always regained; results vary from person to person with the zone and severity of injury.
  • As with any surgery, infection, wound healing problems and anaesthetic risks exist, and all are discussed with you before you consent.

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FAQ

Common questions

How soon after the injury should the tendon be repaired?

As soon as sensibly possible. Fresh tendon ends are easiest to rejoin directly, while delay lets the muscle retract and scar, complicating the repair. If you cannot bend or straighten a finger after a cut, seek hand-surgical assessment promptly rather than waiting to see if it improves.

Why can't the repair wait a few weeks?

Because tendons do not wait. The divided ends pull apart, scar tissue forms, and the muscle shortens, so a repair that would have been straightforward becomes a graft or a staged reconstruction. Early assessment keeps the simpler, stronger option on the table.

Will my finger move normally again?

That is the goal, and many repairs achieve excellent movement. The honest answer depends on the tendon's zone, whether other structures were injured, and how faithfully rehabilitation is followed. Dr Reddy discusses your particular injury's outlook openly rather than offering blanket reassurance.

What does hand therapy involve?

Protected early movement under a therapist's guidance, splinting between exercises, scar management, and graded strengthening over weeks to months. It is demanding but it is also what makes the difference between a finger that moves and one that merely healed. Your programme is tailored to your repair and your progress.

When is a tendon graft needed instead of direct repair?

When the tendon ends cannot be brought together without excessive tension, often because of delay, tissue loss or previous failed repair. A graft bridges the gap, sometimes in two planned stages. Dr Reddy explains at consultation whether your injury suits direct repair or grafting.

My injury is months old. Is it too late?

Not necessarily, though the surgery becomes more involved. Old tendon injuries can often be reconstructed with grafts or tendon transfers, where a neighbouring tendon is rerouted to restore the lost movement. Assessment will show what remains possible, and honest counselling follows.

Not sure which treatment is right for you?

Every plan at AR Plastic Surgery starts with an honest consultation — what surgery can and cannot do, explained before anything is decided.