• Reference Number: HEY1602/2025
• Departments: Therapies
• Last Updated: 30 September 2025

Introduction

This leaflet has been produced to provide you with some information on what will happen next following your surgery. This leaflet will not be used to replace communication between yourself, and healthcare professionals and any questions are always welcomed.

If you have any questions, please contact your healthcare professional. Please see the numbers at the end of the leaflet for contact details.

What are tendon repairs?

The tendons in our hand, help us move our fingers, wrist, and thumb. If tendons are ruptured or injured, your fingers or thumb may not be able to move. You may need an operation to repair the tendon(s). You will then be given an exercise programme to help regain normal movement of your hand. Tendon repairs typically take between 6 to 12 weeks to fully heal. You may be unable to drive for up to 8 weeks.

How to care for your hand following surgery

It is important to keep your cast on, keep it dry and keep your wound clean. Your cast or splint is important because tendons take a while to repair. Your cast or splint will stop your tendon from moving in ways that could over stretch or strain it. If you have any problems with your cast or splint, please contact the plastic trauma clinic prior to your hand therapy appointment.

You should receive an appointment for hand therapy at Castle Hill Hospital within 1 week. Depending on your injury, you may also be given an appointment with the nurse to have your dressing changed.

If you do not receive a hand therapy appointment within the next few days, please contact the plastic trauma clinic or the hand therapy department.

Contact numbers are at the end of this leaflet.

Why is hand therapy important after your tendon repair surgery?

Hand therapy is a crucial part of your rehabilitation after this injury, helping you regain normal hand function and reducing the risk of developing complications, such as tendon re-rupture, following surgery. The hand therapy team consists of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and therapy assistants who work closely with nurses and consultants.

What will hand therapy do for you?

Here is what will take place at your first-Hand Therapy appointment.

• Removal of your cast.
• Wound cleaning and redressing.
• Splinting – your cast will be replaced by a new splint depending on your injury.
• Hand exercises.
• Advice and education around your injury.
• Advice and education around work.

Over the next 6 to 12 weeks, you will receive therapy treatments based on research to best support your recovery. These treatments will be adjusted according to your pain levels, progress, and the time since your surgery.

Signs of infection: What to look out for?

Following surgery, you are at an increased risk of developing an infection. Here are the signs and symptoms of infection that you should be aware of.

• Feeling generally unwell
• Increased redness and swelling around your wound that can travel up your arm.
• Bad odour coming from the wound.
• Discharge coming from the wound.
• Increased levels of pain

If you experience any of these symptoms, please call plastic trauma clinic or your GP. Alternatively, if these are not open, you can go to the nearest walk-in centre or A&E.

Contact numbers are at the end of this leaflet.

Contact details

Should you require further advice on the issues contained in this leaflet please contact either of the numbers below.

Hand Therapy, Castle Hill Hospital Tel: 01482 622296

(Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4.00 pm)

Plastic Surgery Trauma Clinic, Hull Royal Infirmary Tel: 01482 674509

(Daily including weekends and bank holidays 9.00am to 12.00 noon)

This leaflet was produced by the Hand Therapy Department, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and will be reviewed in September 2028

Your feedback matters to us…

To ensure we deliver a safe and quality service and to help us understand the experience you have of the care you receive from our staff we would value your thoughts about the service you received.

You may be contacted as part of our quality assurance programme which is where we visit our teams and staff and talk to them about the care they provide to our patients or at any time during or after you have needed our services.

To collect this feedback, we would contact you using the registered telephone number we hold in your care record. This feedback will be strictly anonymous and whilst we will share the feedback as part of the process, we will not share any details which may identify you.

We will never ask you any personal questions about your health during these telephone calls.

If you do not wish to speak to us, please say this when we call, we do not want you to feel pressured.