7 February 2019
A torn or cut tendon in the forearm, at the wrist, in the palm, or along the finger will make it impossible to bend one or more joints in a finger. If blood vessels are also cut, the finger may have no blood supply and this requires immediate surgery.
Tendons cannot heal unless the ends are touching, which does not occur with a complete tear. In most cases, a cut or torn tendon must be repaired by a doctor and this requires surgery. Surgery is usually performed within 7 to 10 days after a tendon injury. In general, the sooner surgery is performed, the better the recovery will be.
Williamsons Solicitors are assisting a young client in relation to a right little finger flexor tendon injury. The client injured her right ring finger and little finger while carving pumpkins. On attendance at the A & E Department, the client’s tendon injury was missed with no index of suspicion of the tendon injury by the Clinician treating her. The tendon injury was not diagnosed until 5 months following her initial accident, resulting in further pain and suffering, together with a delay in treatment of 11 months.
As a consequence of the failings in the standard of care, and the undiagnosed injury, it was necessary for the client to undergo flexor tendon reconstruction, which was a 2 stage procedure. She also had a prolonged period of time off school, together with a prolonged period of pain, suffering and loss of independence. Had treatment for the tendon injury taken place sooner, on the balance of probabilities, the outcome for the client’s finger would have been less deformity and her finger would have been more capable and stronger.
At Williamsons Solicitors, we have the skills, knowledge and staff to deal with such injuries, and our Clinical Negligence Team are happy to discuss, in confidence, a possible clinical negligence matter. If you would like to speak to one of our team, please contact Williamsons on 01482 323697.
