Hand Surgeon Questions Hand Surgeon

Will my finger recover?

So, I've had surgery to fix my index finger (right hand) FDP tendon. I've had the surgery on the 6th of Feb, 2022, exactly 22 hours after the injury happened. It was a clean cut to the tendon. I've been wearing a splint since the surgery and started Physical Therapy just a week ago. My concern though is that my finger looks abnormally swollen compared to the other healthy index finger, it also has a purplish color on the flap site where doctors made the incisions. Also, despite my finger nerves being fine, the swelling seems to have congestion that's pressuring the nerve in the finger, thus, I feel my fingertip are completely numb. I cannot also fully bend my finger and the flap/site where the doctors made the incisions is stiff, swollen, and restricted the movement of my finger. I have added images so you can see them. I need to know if this is okay, I'm only 1 week into PT and 4 weeks since I had the surgery, but I feel like there is no progress. The surgeon has prescribed to me some anti-edema/anti-fibrosis medication as well as some topical creams/gels to use. Am still taking and regularly taking them, but I feel like there's no progress. Especially since my finger is swollen now (4 weeks now) and I cannot fully-bend it.

Male | 23 years old
Complaint duration: 32 days so far since the surgery
Medications: anti-edma/anti-fibrosis
Conditions: None

3 Answers

HandSurgeonHandSurgeon
Thank you for sharing these details.
Your situation 4 weeks post flexor digitorum profundus FDP tendon repair with persistent swelling, stiffness, and numbness is not uncommon, but it does need careful monitoring.

Here are a few key points

Swelling and stiffness are typical after tendon repair, especially in the first 68 weeks. The purplish discoloration can be part of the normal healing process.

Numbness from swelling pressure on nerves can happen, but prolonged numbness should be monitored closely.

Scar tissue formation often limits motion after tendon surgery this is why early controlled motion as your therapist guides is critical.

Youre still early in the recovery timeline most patients dont see meaningful bendingflexion for 612 weeks, depending on the case.

However

If swelling isnt improving or is worsening, or numbness continues beyond 68 weeks, it could signal excessive scar tissue or nerve compression that may need further intervention.

Keep communicating openly with your surgeon and hand therapist they may adjust your therapy or consider further treatment like scar management or even surgical release later if needed.

Youre right to be proactive. Full tendon healing and motion recovery often take 36 months with consistent therapy.

If you want, I can explain typical recovery milestones or scar management techniques to discuss with your therapist.
Yes your finger will heal. But to answer how fast and to what extent the healing will occur is up to your body. Continue with your Therapy, it may be slower than anyone wishes but you must allow for the healing process. God Speed
It is hard to say for sure based on the email how everything is going. Everything you are experiencing may in fact be totally normal. However, these are questions that you must ask of your surgeon.