What’s the best treatment for a severed tendon?

A severed tendon is a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention. Without this, you could suffer a variety of complications, such as excessive blood loss.

There are a variety of workplace accidents that can result in a severed tendon, such as a power tool accident or a motor vehicle crash.

While not always the case, tendon repair surgery is typically required after this injury. The primary goal of this procedure is to restore normal movement to a joint. Here are the basics of tendon repair surgery:

• A small incision is made in the skin in close proximity to the damaged tendon
• The torn ends are sewn together
• Surrounding tissue is examined for damage
• The incision is closed and covered with sterile bandages
• The area is immobilized to give the tendon time to heal

Anesthesia is used during the surgery to prevent you from feeling any pain. The severity of your injury will dictate the type of anesthesia, with options including:

• Local anesthesia: The site of the surgery is numbed before the procedure.
• Regional anesthesia: The site of the surgery, as well as the surrounding area, is numbed.
• General anesthesia: You are put asleep for maximum comfort during the surgery.

Since a severed tendon can take several weeks (or longer) to fully heal, it’s important to follow the advice of your medical team to prevent additional injury.

If your doctor suggests taking time away from work, inform your employer and file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. This allows you to receive regular payments until your injury heals and you can return to work.