Tendon Transfer For Finger Deformity
What is Tendon Transfer For Finger Deformity
If your finger has adopted one of the characteristic deformities of rheumatoid arthritis and this is compromising your function it may be amenable to correction with a tendon transfer procedure.
This can be performed as a day case under general, regional or local anaesthesia depending on the precise surgery and your preference.
Part of the tendon is repaired with strong stitches while another part of the tendon is rerouted to rebalance the deforming forces. The skin is closed with absorbable sutures and a dressing and resting splint applied.
You see the hand therapists a week after surgery and provided the wound is healing appropriately they will begin rehabilitation. An example is outlined below.
Rheumatoid surgery and rehabilitation is completely individualised and so please regard this as an example only.
Tendon Transfer For Finger Deformity Recovery
Splint 1
This should be worn all the time and only be taken off for exercises in splints 2 and 3.
Splint 2
This splint is designed to allow increasing flexion of the finger joint without letting it bend too much as this would pull apart the repaired tendon. As shown in the picture; the nearest end of the splint must be held onto the finger with the other hand. The injured finger is then gently flexed until it is stopped by the splint. Your hand therapist will gradually increase the amount of bend in the splint. The finger is then straightened and this is repeated 6 times before and after every meal, a total of 6 times per day.
Splint 3
This splint allows the end joint of the finger to bend but not the injured joint. These exercises stop the end joint getting stiff and should be repeated 6 times after splint 2 exercises.
The One Team Specialists
Anthony Hearnden
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon FRCS (Tr&Orth), Shoulder, Elbow, Hand and Wrist
