Pearls for Practice: Managing Wounds with Exposed Tendon

     Tendons are anatomical structures that connect bone to muscle. They are composed of parallel bundles of collagen fiber¹ and often appear as striated white or creamy yellow structures in wound beds.

     Tendons are nourished by blood vessels and by diffusion of nutrients from synovial fluid.² Because nourishment is disrupted when the tendon is exposed, meticulous care must be provided to prevent both infection and desiccation, either of which can lead to loss of tendon viability.³ Tendons may be exposed in trauma wounds, such as massive crush injuries or fractures, Stage IV pressure ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and contaminated or infected surgical wounds.⁴ Areas often affected include wounds of the feet, Achilles, hands, and arms.

     Tendons heal in the same manner as other wounds: cells migrate to the area of injury and synthesize collagen. Factors that can affect tendon healing include age, general health, extent of injury, scar formation, and patient cooperation with treatment.³ Adhesion development and scar tissue complicate the healing process. When the tendon loses its ability to glide within the tendon sheath during movement, joint function becomes impaired and surgical intervention may be required.²

     Proper wound care must include maintaining moisture. Hydrogel and nonadherent dressings may be employed with a cover dressing to facilitate moisture needs. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and collagen matrix dressings also may be used. KCI’s (San Antonio, TX) NPWT guidelines⁵ require protection of tendons from direct contact with their foam dressings in order to reduce risk of tendon injury. The company recommends covering tendons with a thick layer of natural tissue, nonadherent porous material, or bioengineered tissue before NPWT is administered. Also, granulation formation over tendons can be difficult and slow; plastic surgery may be indicated. 

Pearls for Practice is made possible through the support of Ferris Mfg. Corp, Burr Ridge, IL (www.polymem.com). The opinions and statements of the clinicians providing Pearls for Practice are specific to the respective authors and are not necessarily those of Ferris Mfg. Corp., OWM, or HMP Communications.

This article was not subject to the Ostomy Wound Management peer-review process.

1. Copstead LC, Banasik JL. Pathophysiology — Biological and Behavioral Perspectives, 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders;2000.

2. Trumble TE. Principles of Hand Surgery and Therapy. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders;2000.

3. Bucholz RW, Heckman JD, Court-Brown CM (eds). Fractures in Adults, Vol. 1. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins;2006.

4. Brotzman SB (ed). Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation. St. Louis, MO: Mosby;1996.

5. Kinetic Concepts Incorporated (2007). V.A.C. Therapy Clinical Guidelines. Available at: www.kci1.com/KCI1/vactherapyformsandbrochures. Accessed September 29, 2009.