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Tendon repair surgery is a critical procedure often used to address injuries or conditions affecting the tendons, which connect muscle to bone. The risks involved in tendon repair surgery, with the exception of allergic reactions, are usually post-operative. Like any other surgery there are the risks of infection, scarring, pain, nerve damage, and blood clotting. It may be nice to know some of the other potential risks associated with this surgery.
1) Adhesion Formation: This is seen when the tissue from the tendon starts to immerse with the surrounding tissue. When the tissue heals this way it will limit the function, not allowing the area to regain the full range of motion (Wong, 2009). To prevent this, a surgeon or therapist will get the patient moving as quickly as possible.
2) Rupture: Despite the surgery’s success, there is a risk of re-injury or re-tearing of the repaired tendon if not properly cared for during the recovery period.
3) Reduced Strength: While the goal of tendon repair surgery is to improve strength, there is a risk that the repaired tendon may not regain its full preinjury strength, affecting your overall physical performance.
4) Gapping: It will be impossible for the tendon to heal if there is a gap between the two ends of the damaged tendon (Pidgeon, 2022). That is why a strong repair is important. The most common way of repairing injured tendons is through a suture technique. Even though the technique is effective, it does not fully guarantee the threads will not loosen and create a gap between the ends. This could lead to the tendon not healing back together, never regaining motion, or another surgery.
It’s important to remember that while these risks exist, when properly cared for, tendon repair surgery can still offer substantial benefits. A patient can experience improved function and a better quality of life. Your healthcare provider will discuss the risks with you, guide you through the decision-making process, and help you take steps to minimize them. Understanding the potential risks and benefits of tendon repair surgery is a critical aspect of making an informed decision about your healthcare.
Resources:
NHS – Maine Health – National Library of Medicine
Wong, J. K., Lui, Y. H., Kapacee, Z., Kadler, K. E., Ferguson, M. W., & McGrouther, D. A. (2009). The cellular biology of flexor tendon adhesion formation: an old problem in a new paradigm. The American journal of pathology, 175(5), 1938-1951.- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002944010607043?ref=pdf_download&fr=RR-2&rr=86a18b7f6cd4d021
Pidgeon, T.S. (2022) Flexor Tendon Injuries – OrthoInfo – AAOS. (n.d.). OrthoInfo. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases-conditions/flexor-tendon-injuries/– https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/flexor-tendon-injuries/