Lacerations & Wounds

Lacerations and wounds of the hand are common workplace injuries that range from superficial skin cuts to deep injuries involving tendons, nerves, arteries, and bones. Because the hand contains critical structures in a compact space, even seemingly minor lacerations require careful evaluation to rule out deep structure injury.

What Structures Can Be Injured?

The hand is densely packed with flexor and extensor tendons, digital nerves and arteries, and the intrinsic muscles. A laceration over the palm or finger can sever a flexor tendon even if the skin wound appears small. Digital nerve lacerations cause permanent numbness in the fingertip if not repaired.

Bite wounds — human and animal — carry a high risk of infection and require thorough irrigation, antibiotic treatment, and careful wound management. Puncture wounds can introduce bacteria deep into the hand, causing septic arthritis or flexor tenosynovitis.

Treatment

Superficial lacerations are cleaned, irrigated, and closed primarily. Deep lacerations with tendon or nerve involvement require surgical repair in the operating room under magnification.

Flexor tendon repairs are performed with specialized suture techniques and followed by a structured hand therapy protocol. Digital nerve repairs restore sensation over 12–18 months. Dr. Kinchelow provides comprehensive care from initial repair through rehabilitation.

Common Symptoms

Visible cut or wound on the hand
Inability to bend or straighten a finger (tendon injury)
Numbness in the fingertip (nerve injury)
Bleeding that does not stop
Signs of infection: redness, warmth, swelling, pus
Pain out of proportion to injury (deep space infection)

Treatment Options

Wound irrigation and primary closure
Surgical tendon repair
Digital nerve repair under magnification
Vascular repair for arterial lacerations
Antibiotic treatment for bite wounds and infections
Irrigation and debridement for infected wounds
Hand therapy and sensory re-education

Ready to Get Help?

Dr. Kinchelow specializes in treating lacerations & wounds. Schedule a consultation today.

Request Appointment (954) 635-5300