What Happens if You Cut a Tendon in Your Index Finger?

Cutting a tendon in your index finger can lead to an inability to bend the finger and may cause pain and swelling.

Tendons are strong, fibrous cords that connect muscles to bones, allowing us to move our joints. In your index finger, you have both flexor tendons (on the palm side, allowing you to bend the finger) and extensor tendons (on the back of the finger, allowing you to straighten it). Damage to either type significantly impacts the finger's function.

Potential Outcomes of a Cut Tendon

Based on the provided information, damaging a tendon in your index finger can result in specific issues depending on which type of tendon is affected.

Flexor Tendon Damage

If a flexor tendon in your index finger is cut, the primary consequence is the inability to bend that finger. This happens because the connection between the muscle in your forearm or palm and the finger bone is severed.

Symptoms associated with flexor tendon damage can include:

• Inability to bend the affected finger.
• Pain in the finger and hand.
• Swelling (inflammation) in the hand.

Extensor Tendon Damage

Cutting an extensor tendon in your index finger affects your ability to straighten the finger.

According to the reference, sometimes damage to the extensor tendons can be managed without the need for surgery.

Treatment for extensor tendon damage might involve:

• Using a rigid support called a splint that's worn around the hand. This splint helps keep the injured tendon in a stable position to allow it to heal.

Symptoms and Treatment Overview

Here is a summary of potential issues if a tendon in your index finger is cut, based on the reference:

Understanding which tendon is damaged is crucial for determining the appropriate course of action. While the reference outlines some potential outcomes and one treatment method for extensor tendons, seeking professional medical evaluation is essential for any suspected tendon injury.