Tendons in the hand and wrist connect the muscles around the wrist to the bones in the fingers and thumb. Located close to the skin’s surface, the flexor muscles/tendons run along the palm-side of the fingers, allowing the fingers to flex and make a fist. On the backside of the fingers, also close to the surface of the skin, are the extensor muscles/tendons which allow the fist to open. Injuries to the flexor tendons are the most prevalent type of tendon laceration, and they usually occur after the finger has been cut.

Tendon lacerations in the hand and wrist also occur due to athletic injuries. If the tendon is torn or severed anywhere along its route, the end of the tendon will retract towards the palm. As a result, the ability to bend one or more of the joints in the finger may become impaired.

Other common signs and symptoms include pain when bending or moving the finger, mild swelling of the joint near the fingertip, and tenderness along the palm-side of the injured finger(s).