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Tendon Repair Surgery in Durango, Colorado by Brian Butzen MD, Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Brian Butzen MD has been helping patients recover from tendon injuries in Durango, Colorado since 2013. As a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in shoulder, wrist, and hand problems, Dr. Butzen brings over a decade of experience to each tendon repair surgery. His commitment to the Four Corners community extends beyond Durango to Farmington, New Mexico, Cortez, Colorado, and Pagosa Springs, Colorado, where he maintains a satellite clinic. Patients consistently praise Dr. Butzen for his careful approach and excellent results, making him a trusted choice for tendon laceration repair throughout the region.
Last month, a local woodworker from Pagosa Springs came to see Dr. Butzen after a table saw accident. "I thought my career was over," he told us during his follow-up visit. "I couldn't even hold a pencil, let alone use my tools." This story isn't unique. Every week, Dr. Butzen sees patients whose lives have been turned upside down by a cut hand or finger tendon.
Tendons are like the cables in a bridge - they connect your muscles to your bones and make movement possible. When a tendon gets cut or torn, that connection breaks. Your muscle might work perfectly, but without the tendon, the movement just doesn't happen.
What Are Tendons and Why Do They Matter?
Think of tendons as the body's rope system. These tough, fibrous tissues connect muscles to bones. In your hand and fingers, you have two main types of tendons:
Flexor tendons help you bend your fingers and make a fist. They run along the palm side of your hand and fingers.
Extensor tendons help you straighten your fingers and lift them up. These run along the back of your hand and fingers.
When either type gets damaged, simple tasks like picking up a coffee cup or typing on a keyboard become impossible.
Common Causes of Tendon Injuries
Signs You Need Tendon Repair Surgery
How do you know if you've damaged a tendon? The signs are usually pretty clear:
You can't move a finger or thumb in one direction, even though it doesn't hurt that much. This is the biggest red flag.
You see a cut on your hand or finger, especially on the palm side or back of the hand.
Your finger looks bent in an odd position and won't straighten.
You feel a popping sensation when the injury happened.
Dr. Butzen always tells patients: "If you can't move your finger normally after a cut, don't wait. Get it checked right away."
Dr. Butzen has treated tendon lacerations from many different causes over his years practicing in Durango:
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Kitchen accidents happen more often than you might think. Sharp knives can slice through tendons in seconds. Glass from broken dishes is another common culprit.
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Work-related injuries are frequent in our area. Construction workers, ranchers, and craftspeople face higher risks due to sharp tools and machinery.
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Sports injuries can tear tendons, especially in activities like rock climbing, which is popular around Durango and Cortez.
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Car accidents sometimes cause tendon damage when broken glass cuts the hands or wrists.
The Tendon Repair Surgery Process
When you come to Dr. Butzen's office in Durango for tendon repair surgery, here's what you can expect:
Before Surgery
Dr. Butzen will examine your hand carefully. He'll test how well each finger moves and check for feeling in your fingertips. Sometimes he'll order an X-ray to make sure no bones are broken.
The surgery usually happens within a few days of the injury. Fresh tendon cuts heal better than old ones.
During Surgery
Tendon repair surgery typically takes 1-2 hours. Dr. Butzen uses local anesthesia to numb your hand and arm, so you're awake but don't feel pain.
He makes a small incision to find the cut ends of the tendon. Then he sews them back together with special strong sutures. The tendon suture technique Dr. Butzen uses has been refined over his years of practice.
For flexor tendon injuries, the surgery is more complex because these tendons are deeper and surrounded by important structures.
After Surgery
Your hand will be placed in a protective splint. You'll start gentle exercises within a few days to prevent the tendon from getting stuck to surrounding tissues.
Recovery: What to Expect
Recovery from tendon repair surgery takes patience. Here's the typical timeline:
Week 1-2: Your hand stays in a splint. You'll do gentle exercises with a hand therapist.
Week 3-6: You'll start moving your fingers more, but still wear the splint between exercises.
Week 6-12: Gradually return to normal activities. Strengthening exercises become more important.
3-6 months: Full recovery for most patients. Some people need longer, especially if they do heavy manual work.
The woodworker from Pagosa Springs we mentioned earlier? He was back to making furniture after four months. "Dr. Butzen saved my livelihood," he says.
Why Choose Dr. Butzen for Tendon Repair Surgery?
Dr. Butzen's fellowship training specifically focused on hand and upper extremity surgery. This specialized training means he's performed hundreds of tendon repairs using the most current techniques.
His practice at Animas Orthopedic Associates has the latest equipment for tendon suture procedures. More importantly, he works closely with experienced hand therapists who understand the specific needs of tendon recovery.
Patients from across the Four Corners region travel to see Dr. Butzen because of his reputation for excellent results. His satellite clinic in Pagosa Springs makes specialized care more accessible to patients in that area.
If you're dealing with hand pain that's affecting your daily life, don't wait for it to get worse. Many tendon lacerations and injuries do not heal on their own, and delaying treatment can make surgery more complex and recovery longer.
I see patients at my main office in Durango and also have a satellite clinic in Pagosa Springs for the convenience of patients in that area. Whether you're coming from Farmington, Cortez, or anywhere in the Four Corners region, I'm here to help you get back to the activities you love.
The first step is a thorough evaluation to understand what's causing your hand dysfunction. Together, we'll create a treatment plan that gets you back to living without limitations. Remember, tendon repair surgery isn't just about fixing a tear - it's about restoring your quality of life.
Your hand pain doesn't have to be permanent. With the right treatment approach and commitment to recovery, most patients return to full, pain-free function. If you're ready to take the next step toward healing, I'm here to guide you through the process with the expertise and personal attention you deserve.
Take the first step toward expert care and lasting relief