Definition
A tendon tear is the tear of a tendon due to rapid overloading. The tendon cannot adapt to the load and is injured as a result. Tendons are the connecting elements between muscles and bones and therefore have an important function in the muscle power applied for movement, which is “transferred” to the bone for this purpose.
The fingers have so-called extensor tendons on the back of the hand and flexor tendons on the inside of the palm. Both sides can be affected by injuries. In terms of numbers, however, the extensor tendon tears of the fingers predominate. One reason for the numerical superiority is that the flexor tendons are more protected by surrounding muscle and fat tissue than the extensor tendons.
Cause
Tendons often tear near a joint, since the starting point there is a weak point. The fingers, with the exception of the thumb, have 3 joints: the base, middle and end finger joints. Tears of extensor tendons at the end of the finger joint, i.e. near the fingertips, can occur even in the smallest accidents.
Particularly in ball sports, such as soccer, handball or basketball, the tendons tear very quickly when the ball hits the fingertip, which then makes a jerky bending movement. Another risk factor that promotes tendon tears is natural wear and lime deposits in the tendons, which occur with increasing age and years of strain. Extensor tendons at the middle and end joints of the fingers are also frequently injured in ball sports, but also in falls on the hand or in martial arts, especially boxing. Flexor tendons are most frequently affected by cuts.
Symptoms
In healthy people, there is a balance between the tensile forces exerted by the flexor and extensor tendons on the fingers. The finger is therefore naturally straight. If an extensor tendon tears, it can no longer transfer force from bone to muscle, i.e. it cannot stretch the affected finger.
The force of the flexor tendons prevails and the affected finger is therefore bent, although it also remains in the bent position and cannot be stretched deliberately. Further symptoms, especially if the capsule apparatus is also affected, are swelling, overheating and pressure pain. As already mentioned, the affected finger is restricted in its movements.
Occasionally, a slight popping sound is heard when the tendons tear. Torn tendons are often associated with intense pain that sets in quickly after the accident. The pain is usually described as stabbing.
Just as quickly as the pain has come, it can also subside again. Pressure pain, however, usually persists longer due to accompanying swelling and occasional bleeding. Pain that occurs when the finger is compressed, i.e. when pressure is exerted on its longitudinal axis, is more likely to indicate a bony injury than a torn tendon. In the latter case, transverse pressure in particular causes problems. This article may also be of interest to you:
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