Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The inability to flex a finger is a key indicator of a ruptured tendon in the hand, particularly in tendons that are responsible for finger flexion, such as the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus. When a tendon ruptures, it is no longer able to transmit the muscular force needed for flexion, resulting in a loss of function in the affected finger. This is clinically significant because it helps in diagnosing the extent of injury and guiding subsequent treatment.

While pain during passive range of motion could indicate a range of conditions, including tendon injuries, it is not a definitive sign of a rupture. Swelling in the proximal wrist might suggest trauma or inflammation in that area, but it is not specific to tendon ruptures. Reddish discoloration of the skin can occur for various reasons, including inflammation or bruising, but again, it does not specifically indicate a tendon rupture. Therefore, the inability to flex a finger serves as the most direct and relevant clinical sign pointing to a ruptured tendon in this scenario.