Jersey finger is a common sports injury that affects the tendons in your fingers. It often occurs in sports like football and rugby when a player grabs an opponent’s jersey, causing the tendon to stretch or tear as the opponent pulls away.
While jersey finger is most frequently seen in contact sports, it can also occur outside of sports contexts.
Symptoms
Jersey finger injures the flexor tendon, which is responsible for bending the finger toward the palm. This injury typically starts at the fingertip and can cause the tendon to snap back to the base of the finger or even the palm.
When you have a jersey finger, the affected finger may remain straight while the other fingers are slightly bent. You will be unable to bend the injured finger towards your palm, and you may experience pain and tenderness. In some cases, if the tendon is only partially torn, the finger might still bend slightly, but diagnosing partial tears can be challenging. If left untreated, partial tears can turn into complete ruptures.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is usually needed to repair a completely torn flexor tendon. The procedure involves several steps:
- Finding the Tendon: The surgeon locates the tendon, which may be at the base of the finger or in the palm.
- Repositioning the Tendon: The tendon is carefully threaded back through the finger and positioned correctly.
- Reattaching the Tendon: The tendon is securely reattached to the fingertip. This usually involves drilling small holes in the bone to anchor the tendon. Sutures are pulled through the bone and the fingernail and tied at the back of the finger.
The surgery is generally done on an outpatient basis. After the procedure, the finger will be dressed and splinted, with the hand and wrist kept in a bent position to reduce tension on the repair.
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is key to regaining motion in your finger after surgery. Flexor tendons can become stiff and scarred, so physical therapy is essential. Even with therapy, stiffness can be a common complication.
Recovery from surgery can take up to two months, and it may be eight to twelve weeks before you can confidently return to sports activities.