tendon injuries(general principles)
Last reviewed 01/2018
Complete laceration or rupture of a tendon is associated with:
- loss of all normal movement distally
- occasional trick movements from other muscles (eg the small muscles of the thumb can mimic the movement of a divided extensor pollicis longus)
Partial laceration or rupture of a tendon is associated with:
- a movement with a slight lag or
- pain on a particular movement
Suspected or obvious tendon laceration immediate treatment:
- cover the wound with a sterile dressing
- elevate the arm and hand
- refer to A/E dept for specialist treatment