Flexor Tendon Injuries: II. Operative Technique
- 1 January 1995
- journal article
- Published by Wolters Kluwer Health in Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
- Vol. 3 (1), 55-62
- https://doi.org/10.5435/00124635-199501000-00007
Abstract
The repair of flexor tendons (zones I and II) is a technique-intensive surgical undertaking. It requires a strong understanding of the anatomy of the tendon sheath and the normal relationship between the pulleys and the flexor digitorum superficialis and flexor digitorum profundus tendons in the digit. Meticulous exposure, careful tendon retrieval, and atraumatic repair are extremely important, and the repair should be of sufficient strength to resist gapping and permit the early postrepair application of motion forces. Whenever possible, the tendon sheath should be preserved or repaired, and a smooth gliding surface should be reestablished. The author describes an effective method of tendon retrieval and a simplified technique for a four-strand tendon repair with a supplementary peripheral running-lock suture. The repair is considered to maintain sufficient strength throughout healing to allow a postrepair rehabilitation protocol that will impart passive and modest active stress forces to the repaired tendons. Complications include tendon rupture, digital joint flexion contractures, and adhesions that restrict tendon gliding and ultimately necessitate tenolysis.Keywords
This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:
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- Retrieval of the retracted flexor tendonJournal of Hand Surgery (European Volume), 1987
- The “Grasping” Technique for Tendon RepairThe Hand, 1973