Tendon Repair Side Effects and Warnings

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a tendon repair, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Formation of scar tissue that interferes with normal tendon movement
• Partial loss of function in the involved joint

Some factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Age: 60 or older
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Poor overall health
• Use of certain medicines

Be sure to discuss these risks with your doctor before the surgery.

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or discharge from the incision site
• Pain that you cannot control with the medicines you have been given
• Your cast or splint becomes wet, dirty, or broken
• Skin below the cast becomes cold, discolored, numb, or tingly
• Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting
• New, unexplained symptoms

In case of an emergency, CALL 911.