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Sports Medicine Center
Tendon Injury in Children
Kids aren’t just mini adults. In fact, they’re incredibly different. That’s why they need incredibly different care.
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From emergency to urgent care to 24/7 pediatric advice, we’re here to help in the heat of moment.
What is a tendon?
A tendon is a band-like tissue that connects muscles to bone. When the muscles tighten, the tendons pull the bones and cause the joints to move, such as in the hand or fingers.
- For example:
- Extensor tendons are in the top of the hand and straighten the fingers.
- Flexor tendons are in the on the palm side of the hand and bend the fingers.
- A tendon sheath is a little tunnel the tendon slides through. This tunnel keeps the tendon in place next to the bone
What causes a tendon injury in children?
A tendon injury usually occurs when a tendon is damaged, such as being cut or ruptured (torn).
- The area may not move normally or might feel weak.
- The area may be painful or tender.
- There might be numbness or tingling if a nerve was also damaged.
How is a tendon injury diagnosed?
A tendon injury is diagnosed by a physical examination. Your child's doctor might order X-rays to look at the bones, to see if a piece of bone has pulled away and to be sure the bone is in correct position.
How is a tendon injury treated?
- Treatment depends on the type of injury.
- Treatment may include splinting alone or splinting and surgery to repair the tendon.
- Your provider will decide if surgery is needed. Tendon repair surgery is done to bring back normal movement to a joint.
- A cut flexor tendon usually requires surgery.
What to expect from tendon injury surgery
- It is best to do surgery to repair a tendon injury as soon as possible (within 7-14 days after the injury).
- The surgery will be done in the operating room under general anesthesia (the child is put to sleep).
- Sometimes it is necessary to put the bone in the correct position. Small pins, wires or screws might be used to hold the bone straight while the tendon heals.
- Sometimes the tendon will need to be sewn together, connecting the ends that are torn apart.
- If there isn't enough healthy tendon to reconnect, a tendon graft might need to be done. This is when a piece of tendon from another part of the body is used.
- A tendon transfer (moving one tendon from one area to another) might be useful to bring back function to the area.
- If a cut in the skin is made during surgery, it is closed with stitches.
- If your child is sick any time during the week before surgery, it is important to call us to find out if the surgery should be rescheduled.
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Get to know our pediatric experts.
Sarah Sibbel, MD
Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand Surgery
Frank Scott, MD
Hand Surgery
Cailin Delaney, PA-C
Physician Assistant