It is these small muscle tendons that allow delicate finger motions and coordination. Extensor tendons are just under the top surface of the skin, directly on the bone, on the back of the hands and fingers. Because of their location, they can be easily injured even by a minor cut. Jamming a finger may cause these thin tendons to rip apart from their attachment to bone. After this type of injury, you can have a hard time straightening one or more joints.
Treatment is necessary to get back use of the tendon.
Most extensor tendon injuries are treated with a splint. Cuts that actually split the tendon may need stitches, but tears caused by jamming injuries are usually treated with splints. Splints stop the healing ends of the tendons from pulling apart and should be worn at all times to make sure the finger stays straight until the tendon is fully healed. Sometimes a pin is placed through the bone across the joint as an internal splint. Whether the tendon injury is caused by a cut or jammed finger, splinting is necessary.