A palm cut that stops a finger from bending
A hand surgeon and a hand therapist walk through flexor tendon cuts
On the palm side of your hand, flexor tendons bend your fingers and thumb. Glass or sharp metal can slice through one. The wound may look small even when a tendon, nerve or blood vessel under it is hurt. If a finger stops bending the way it should, get a doctor to check it soon. Waiting for the skin to heal won’t fix a tendon that is cut all the way through. [1]
Tell the doctor what changed
Say what cut your hand, where the wound is and which finger joint won’t bend. Also mention numbness or any change in the color of the finger. The hand exam checks movement at each joint, feeling and blood flow. If glass or a broken bone is possible, imaging may be considered. A tendon that is only partly cut can still move. So movement alone may not answer the question. [1, 2]
What repair and therapy look like
A complete cut often needs surgery to repair it. During the repair, the surgeon also looks for damage to nearby nerves and blood vessels. Afterward, a splint protects the tendon. A hand therapist teaches you movements timed with care. They limit stiffness without pulling the repair apart. The exact schedule differs from person to person. [1, 2]
Do not test your grip or take off the splint because it’s easier. Wait for your team’s okay before you add any exercises. Healing may take months. Full motion is not guaranteed. [1, 2]
Reasons to call your hand team
Questions for your hand surgeon
- Which tendon is hurt, and is a nerve or blood vessel hurt too?
- What movements are safe for me this week?
- Who do I call if my movement suddenly changes?
List what each finger joint can do
Before your hand exam, write down which finger joints you can bend and which you can’t. [1]
Sources and further reading
Written for general education, from the view of hand surgery and hand therapy. If a finger moves differently after a cut, get it examined in person. Follow only the splint and exercise plan prescribed for your own injury.
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