Tendons are vital for movement, but when injured, they often require surgical repair. When this happens, the surgeon aims to fully restore the function of the affected area through tendon surgery. Surgeons employ various techniques to ensure the best possible outcome. The repair should ultimately be strong, minimally bulky, and enable early motion during recovery.
Strong Repair
To create a strong repair, surgeons carefully align and suture the torn ends of the tendon. High-quality sutures and precise stitching patterns are used to ensure the repair can withstand the forces exerted during movement. In some cases, anchors are used to secure the tendon to the bone, providing additional strength and stability.
Tendons often take on a lot of pressure. Whether it is strenuous movement or lifting a heavy object, the tendons can usually handle the load. When the tendon is damaged the affected area will lose the ability to handle even the most daily tasks. When repairing the tendon, having a stronger repair is ideal so the patient can start to implement those tasks again.
Minimizing Bulkiness
Bulky repairs can impede movement and prolong recovery. Surgeons employ techniques to minimize bulkiness, such as using smaller sutures and placing them in a way that reduces the thickness of the repair. This can become difficult with trying to retain the strength of the repair. The more suture used ensures a strong repair, but too much suture can create a bulky repair. Bulky repairs restrict the gliding motion of the tendon and can result in trigger. This can impede movement and prolong the recovery.
Achieving Early Motion
Early motion is crucial for tendon healing and rehabilitation. Surgeons aim to create repairs that allow for early motion while still maintaining strength and stability. When movement is started early during rehab, it will help to prevent adhesion formation, a common post operative complication that can lead to a second surgery. By having a non-bulky, strong repair, early motion is more possible.
Considerations in Tendon Repair
The repair of tendons is a delicate process that requires a balance between strength, size, and early mobilization. Surgeons use their expertise and specialized techniques to achieve repairs that are strong yet not bulky, allowing for early motion during rehabilitation. By carefully considering these factors, patients can experience faster recovery times and improved outcomes, ultimately regaining function and returning to their normal activities with confidence.
Modern advancements in material and techniques are continuously being explored to give better outcomes for reaching better outcomes for tendon repair. The CoNextions TR Tendon Repair System is a small stainless-steel implant designed to fix ruptured tendons in the hand wrist and forearm.