Flexor tendon repair surgery
Careful repair
Treatment tailored to you
Your surgeon will carefully assess your tendon injury before recommending the right approach for you.
Safely supported movement
Early rehabilitation, guided by experts
Guided exercises help protect the repaired tendon while encouraging safe movement as it heals.
Progress at your pace
Care that evolves with your recovery
Your hand therapy plan will adapt as movement and strength return, helping you get back to the activities that matter to you.
Flexor tendon repair surgery overview
Flexor tendon injuries affect the strong cords in your hand that help you bend your fingers and thumb. If one is completely cut, the two ends pull apart and can’t heal properly on their own. Flexor tendon repair surgery brings the damaged ends back together, giving the tendon the best chance to heal. The aim is to restore movement in your hand so you can gradually return to hobbies and everyday tasks. After surgery, specialist hand therapy helps protect the repaired tendon and encourages smooth movement.
How is surgery carried out?
You’ll usually have a general anaesthetic, so you’ll be asleep throughout the operation.
Your surgeon will carefully access the injured tendon and stitch the two ends back together. If you’ve also damaged a nearby nerve, your surgeon may repair it during the same operation.
After surgery, you’ll wear a protective splint over your hand and forearm to keep the tendon in a safe position while it begins to heal. You may be able to return home on the same day, although an overnight stay may sometimes be recommended, depending on your injury and overall health.
Are there any risks?
Every operation carries some risk, and your consultant will explain the benefits and possible complications to help you make an informed decision. Your care team will also take every precaution to reduce the risk of problems.
Possible risks include:
- The tendon becoming attached to the surrounding tissue, which may limit movement
- The repaired tendon breaking before it has fully healed
- Ongoing stiffness or reduced movement
- An infection or problems with healing
- A scar that remains sensitive
Further hand therapy may help improve stiffness caused by scar tissue. In some cases, if the repaired tendon breaks or movement remains very limited, your consultant may recommend further surgery.
Recovery from flexor tendon repair surgery
Protecting the repair while you begin to move
You’ll wear a protective splint and begin gentle hand exercises designed to encourage safe movement without putting too much strain on the repair.
Building strength and confidence
As the tendon becomes stronger, you’ll gradually start using your hand for light everyday tasks. Your hand therapist will introduce strengthening exercises when the time is right, helping you regain movement and confidence.
Getting back to activity
As your recovery continues, your specialist will let you know when you can return to heavier work or sport. Movement and strength in your hand can continue to improve over the months ahead.
Working with Hand and Wrist professionals and teams
Our hand and wrist specialists support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places high demands on their hands and wrists. Working closely with radiologists, physiotherapists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they provide coordinated care from diagnosis through to rehabilitation, helping each person return safely to sport, work or everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Hand and Wrist treatment
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Flexor tendon repair surgery FAQs
Find answers to common questions about flexor tendon repair surgery, recovery, hand therapy and returning to everyday activities.
Yes. Hand therapy is an important part of your recovery. It helps protect the repaired tendon while encouraging safe movement as it heals. Your hand therapist will show you specific exercises tailored to your stage of recovery and adjust them as your movement and strength improve.
You’ll usually wear a protective splint for several weeks after surgery. Exactly how long will depend on your injury and how the tendon was repaired. Your hand therapist will let you know when it’s safe to reduce or stop wearing it.
You’ll need to take things gradually while the repaired tendon heals. At first, you’ll wear a splint and follow the exercises recommended by your hand therapist. As your recovery progresses, you’ll be able to return to lighter everyday tasks before slowly building up to more demanding activities, with guidance from your care team.
This will depend on the type of work you do, which hand has been treated and how your recovery is progressing. You may be able to return sooner if your job places little strain on your hand. More physically demanding roles may require extra time away or temporary adjustments to your duties.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
1 of 4