Swollen finger for a month

[Amy0802]

I was cut by a glass vase a month ago. It was my middle finger at the point where the finger meets the hand on the palm side. It was quite painful and bled for a bit. The next day it was quite swollen. I went to the doctor and she had me see a specialist the next day. I was tod there was no Flexor or tendon damage.  I was put on an antibiotic for 10 days. There was no glass left in the finger and the cut area did not get inflamed. It healed rather quickly. The swelling remained. I called the doctor after a week and was told that perhaps it needed more time for the swelling to go down. She said give it another week to 10 days. Two weeks later, still swollen and difficult to bend. I still had tenderness but not extreme discomfort. I went back to the specialist (Orthopedic sine the hand specialists were all at a conference). I was again told it was OK and it could be swollen for another month.

It has been almost another week. A month since the injury and it is still swollen. I still have difficulty bending it and it is uncomfortable to bend it as the doctor instructed.

Is it normal to have this swelling  a month after the initial injury?  How long shouldi let this be befor I insist on seeing a hand specialist?  

Thanks.

[Amy0802]

I saw an orthopedic doctor twice. He said he didn't think I had tendon damage. Do you still recommend seeing a hand specialist?  This orthopedic said it could take anothe month(would be almost 2 months at that point).
Thanks for your help!

[Arti Sharma, M.D.]

Hello,
Your symptoms are definitely taking longer to get cured. I cannot confirm anything without an external examination but it is quite possible that you have suffered flexor tendon damage. It is often caused by a crush injury or cut to the hand. Crushing or cutting anywhere on the hand or wrist can cause damage to the flexor tendons. The symptoms of flexor tendon injury are inability to bend or straighten fingers, severe pain and occasionally numbness. Damaged flexor tendons should be repaired surgically within at least 2 weeks otherwise the prospects of recovery may not be satisfactory. It is best to seek the opinion of an expert hand specialist.
Take care and kind regards!