A cut or other open injury to the palm of your hand may have felt like just another cut, until you could no longer move or feel your fingers fully. You may have a flexor tendon laceration that didn’t heal properly. I’m sure you are thinking there is no way I lacerated a tendon in my hand by that simple cut, I thought the same thing; but it is true.
Most flexor tendon injuries arise from a cut to the finger, hand or arm. These cuts may seem like something minor that shouldn’t require a doctor’s attention. However, the little amount of damage needed to badly harm the tissue around or the actual tendon can be caused easily in a day’s work by a knife or even broken glass.
As you can see by the above picture, the tendons are vital for finger movement. Any injury will hinder your ability to have a fully functioning hand, and in some cases, the tendon is only partially severed. In those cases, your fingers will still work correctly unless the cut tendon fails to heal and later rips. In other cases, you will know that you cut the flexor tendon because immediately your fingers will no longer be able to bend or straighten.
This type of injury can be problematic, especially if injured on the job requiring a workers compensation claim. Sometimes treatment is rushed causing further damage, and other times it is simply difficult because the most common treatment is reparative surgery. While the surgery is minimally invasive, you may not be able to return to work for 4-6 weeks while the tendon heals. Post-surgery, you may also be required to attend physical therapy to make sure the integrity of the tendon repair. In some cases the treatment and physical therapy could require you to be unable to work for up to three months.
These cases also have settlement value under the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act. The total value of the case depends on your wages, treatment, age and ultimate recovery. We have a lot of experience with this type of injury and would be happy to help you with a claim. Please call us at (312) 346-5578 if you’d like a no cost, no commitment, confidential consultation.
