If you can still bend or straighten your finger after a deep cut, you might think the tendon is fine. A partial tendon injury can leave you with some movement, but you may notice pain, weakness, catching, or locking. A deep hand laceration can also affect nerves and blood vessels, so finger movement isn’t the only thing to watch.
Why Can a Finger Still Move After a Tendon Injury?
With a partial flexor tendon injury, some tendon fibers are still connected. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons explains you might still bend your finger even if the tendon is partly cut. You may notice incomplete bending, pain, catching, locking, or weakness.
It can feel reassuring if your finger still moves, but that’s not enough to rule out a deeper injury after a deep hand cut.
What Signs Suggest a Deeper Hand Injury?
Sometimes a cut looks small on the surface, but deeper structures can still be injured. You should get checked right away if you notice any of these signs after a cut:
- Weakness or incomplete bending or straightening
- Pain, catching, or locking with movement
- Numbness or altered sensation beyond the cut
- Bleeding that will not stop or concern about blood flow to the finger
If you see signs of poor blood flow or heavy bleeding, head to the emergency room right away.
Can a Tendon Injury Be Missed After the Skin Is Closed?
Yes. Suturing the skin does not confirm that deeper structures are intact. An NCBI patient-safety review notes that partial tendon lacerations can be missed when function remains intact.
A good hand exam checks each tendon, your sensation, and blood flow. If there’s any doubt about a tendon injury, it’s important to see a specialist.
Does Every Partial Tendon Injury Need Surgery?
Not always. Some partial tendon injuries can heal without surgery if they’re carefully checked. A complete flexor tendon cut usually needs repair, since the ends pull apart and can’t heal by themselves.
When you come in for a hand laceration repair evaluation, we’ll look past the surface to check for tendon, nerve, blood vessel, bone, joint, or other soft-tissue injuries that might need care.
Why See a Hand-Trained Plastic Surgeon?
Dr. John M. Anastasatos is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and completed fellowship training in Hand, Upper Extremity, and Microsurgery at UAB. His training matters when a cut could affect several important structures packed closely together in your hand.
FAQ About Tendon Injuries After a Hand Cut
Can I have a cut tendon if I can still make a fist?
Yes. Even with a partial tendon injury, you might still bend your finger or make a fist. If you notice pain, weakness, catching, locking, or your finger moves differently, it’s time to get checked.
Should I wait to see if finger movement improves on its own?
You shouldn’t wait after a deep cut if a tendon injury is possible. Getting checked early can catch injuries that aren’t obvious from the skin and help protect how your hand works.
Get a Hand Injury Evaluation in Beverly Hills
If a deep cut left you with pain, weakness, numbness, catching, or changes in finger movement, schedule an evaluation with Los Angeles Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills. With Dr. Anastasatos’s hand and microsurgery training, we’ll check your tendon function, sensation, and circulation, and let you know what needs treatment.
Medically reviewed by Dr. John Anastasatos, MD, FACS on
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