Finger Tendon Injury
If someone presents with a ruptured finger tendon which medical professionals fail to recognise, then there may well be a case of medical negligence. This is because when such an injury is missed, the opportunity to perform primary surgery will be lost. Instead a patient will have to undergo more complex secondary surgery, a procedure which has a very high failure rate.
What Happens When A Finger Tendon Ruptures?
A tendon is a band of tissue which connects a muscle to a bone. In each finger there are two tendons which are known more specifically as flexor tendons. These join the finger bone to the muscles in the forearm, making movement of the finger possible.
A finger tendon injury will therefore create significant difficulties. Often caused by a cut or a tear, a rupture of the finger tendon will lead to the following problems:-
- The inability to bend the finger;
- Pain when trying to move the finger;
- A straight lying finger;
- Numbness in the finger – particularly if there is nerve damage.
Treating a Finger Tendon Rupture
If you sustain a finger tendon rupture, it is important to seek urgent medical attention, because ruptured tendons are not able to heal by themselves. Thus it is up to medical professionals to ensure the injury is recognised. The sooner the injury is identified the better, as this will increase the chance of a satisfactory outcome.
Once diagnosed, a patient should be referred to a Hand Surgeon who will carry out a surgical procedure to repair the tendon. This can either be performed under general or local anaesthetic, and will involve sewing the broken flexor tendon back together. After the operation the hand will be placed in a protective splint, while additional treatment from a hand therapist will probably be needed for another six months.
What If There Is A Delay in Treatment?
However, if there is a delay in treatment, a patient's hopes of recovery will be severely reduced. In fact, it is accepted that if surgery is needed, it must be performed within 10 to 14 days of the injury. If the operation is setback for more than two weeks the repair will become much more complicated, as a two-stage tendon repair will be required. This involves two very complex operations which are fraught with potential difficulties. The procedure does, therefore, have a very high technical failure rate. This means it becomes much less likely that a patient will regain normal function of their finger.
Taking Legal Action
If you have presented with a ruptured finger tendon which was missed by medical professionals, you should speak to a solicitor about taking legal action, as you may well have been the victim of medical negligence. If so, you will be able to claim compensation for the injuries you have suffered as a direct result of the delay in diagnosis.
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Can We Help You With A Medical Negligence Enquiry?
Early legal assistance can be vital so please contact us if you would like to discuss your situation. Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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