Because recovery from surgery to repair flexor tendons (the tendons that control the movement of your fingers) can be challenging and slow, many people become frustrated after about two months. Why does it take so long to regain the ability to fully bend or straighten your finger?
For one thing, effective rehabilitation requires patience and diligence. Regaining a considerable amount of function and movement in your fingers will not happen overnight.
In addition, although flexor tendon injuries do not sound very serious, they can be difficult to repair. One part of the challenge is that the injury can become a psychological problem . Recovering motion in your fingers depends more on how well your brain adjusts to the situation than how well your fingers bend.
To aid in your recovery, you should take these simple precautions:
- Do not use the injured tendon until your physician gives you permission.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects.
- Do not let the tendon get stretched.
- Do not drive a car until your doctor says it is all right to do so.
- Keep bandages clean and dry at all times.
- If you have a cast, place a plastic bag over your hand when showering or bathing to keep the cast dry. A newspaper bag, a bread bag or a small trash bag can be sealed at the top with tape or a knot to prevent water from reaching the cast.
- Avoid the urge to push or lean on the cast for at least three months so you do not break it.
While complete recovery from flexor tendon repair may take as long as one year, you can regain a large percentage of your former range of motion if you are patient. We would be happy to work with your surgeon to design and implement an exercise program that targets your flexor tendon after surgery and restores flexibility to your finger.
