Zone 2 flexor tendon repairs using a tensioned strong core suture, sparse peripheral stitches and early active motion: results in 60 fingers

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhang Jun Pan ◽  
Yun Fei Xu ◽  
Lei Pan ◽  
Jing Chen
Keyword(s):  
Flexor Tendon ◽  
Tendon Repair ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Active Motion ◽  
Repair Site ◽  
The Core ◽  
Active Flexion ◽  
Flexor Digitorum

We report the outcomes of zone 2 tendon repairs in 60 fingers using a strong core suture, sparse peripheral stitches and early active motion. From January 2014 to April 2016, we repaired 60 flexor digitorum profundus tendons with a tensioned 4-strand or 6-strand core suture and three to four peripheral stitches. The A2 or A4 pulleys were vented as necessary. Following early active flexion of the repaired tendons, no repairs ruptured and 52/60 (87%) fingers recovered to good or excellent function using the Tang criteria after follow-up of 8–33 months. We conclude that tensioned multi-strand strong core repairs only require sparse peripheral stitches and are safe for early active flexion. Standard peripheral sutures are not necessary. The core sutures should be properly tensioned to prevent gapping at tendon repair site and pulleys should be sufficiently vented to allow tendon motion. Level of evidence: IV

Results of heterodigital flexor digitorum profundus hemi-tendon transfer for 23 flexor tendon injuries in zones 1 or 2

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 487-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aude Bommier ◽  
Duncan McGuire ◽  
Patrick Boyer ◽  
Asan Rafee ◽  
Sami Razali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tendon Transfer ◽  
Flexor Tendon ◽  
Tendon Repair ◽  
Tendon Injuries ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Active Motion ◽  
Flexor Tendon Injuries ◽  
Flexor Digitorum

We report outcomes of reconstruction of zone 1 or 2 flexor tendon injuries using a heterodigital hemi-tendon transfer of the flexor digitorum profundus in 23 fingers of 23 patients. At mean follow-up of 57 months, the mean total active motion of the three finger joints including the metacarpophalangeal joint was 128 degrees preoperatively and 229 degrees at final follow up. According to Strickland criteria, the function was excellent for 14 fingers, good for seven fingers and poor for two fingers. The subgroup analysis showed that the results were better in cases of primary surgery, children, and for the index and little fingers. Complications included stiffness of three fingers, and rupture in one finger that was converted to a two-stage tendon reconstruction. We conclude that this technique restores good function in most patients with zone 1 and 2 flexor tendon injuries, in which primary tendon repair has not been performed or was unsuccessful, and where pulley reconstruction is not required. Level of evidence: IV

A Prospective Study of Flexor Tendon Repair in Zone 5

1998 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 642-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. W. YII ◽  
M. URBAN ◽  
D. ELLIOT
Keyword(s):  
Prospective Study ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Flexor Tendon ◽  
Tendon Repair ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Active Motion ◽  
Flexor Tendons ◽  
Active Flexion ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
Flexor Digitorum

A prospective study of postoperative mobilization of flexor tendon repairs in zone 5 was conducted over a 2-year period between 1994 and 1996 using a controlled active motion (active extension - active flexion) regimen of mobilization. Fifty-two patients, who had a total of 151 flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and 103 flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) divisions, were available for review at a mean follow-up of 10 months. Of the 161 fingers with division of one or both flexor tendons, 66% exhibited independent FDS function and 90% achieved good or excellent results of digital range of motion. No rupture of an FDP tendon repair occurred during the study period. The data allowed us to define a new method of classifying the results of treatment of these injuries in terms of the injured wrists as a whole and not simply as a series of isolated observations for each individual finger with divided flexor tendons. The results of recovery of independent FDS action and range of finger movement achieved for injuries in which the flexors of all four fingers had been divided indicate a statistically significant interdependence of injuries of finger flexors of adjacent fingers at the wrist. Multivariate analysis showed the presence of a “spaghetti wrist” injury to have a significant adverse effect on the recovery of the independent FDS action but not on the recovery of the digital range of motion.

Flexor tendon repair in the hand with the M-Tang technique (without peripheral sutures), pulley division, and early active motion

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 474-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Giesen ◽  
Lisa Reissner ◽  
Inga Besmens ◽  
Olga Politikou ◽  
Maurizio Calcagni
Keyword(s):  
Flexor Tendon ◽  
Tendon Repair ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Active Motion ◽  
Post Surgery ◽  
A2 Pulley ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon

We report outcomes in 29 patients with flexor tendon repairs in 32 digits (five thumbs and 27 fingers) with our modified protocols. We repaired the lacerated flexor digitorum profundus tendons with core suture repairs using the 6-strand M-Tang method and without circumferential sutures. We divided the pulleys as much as needed to allow excursion of the repaired tendons, including complete division of the A4 or A2 pulleys when necessary. In nine fingers, we repaired one slip of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon and resected the other half. When the flexor digitorum profundus tendon would not glide under the A2 pulley, we excised the remaining slip of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon. The wrist was splinted in mild extension post-surgery with early commencement of tenodesis exercises. No tendon repair ruptured. By the Strickland criteria, out of 27 fingers, 18 had excellent, six had good, two had fair, and one had poor results. We conclude that a strong core suture (such as the M-Tang repair) without peripheral sutures, and with division of pulleys as necessary is safe for early active motion and yields good outcomes. Level of evidence: IV

Outcomes of release of the entire A4 pulley after flexor tendon repairs in zone 2A followed by early active mobilization

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 400-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Moriya ◽  
T. Yoshizu ◽  
N. Tsubokawa ◽  
H. Narisawa ◽  
K. Hara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flexor Tendon ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Active Motion ◽  
Total Active Motion ◽  
Active Mobilization ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon

We report the outcomes of repair of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon in zone 2a in 22 fingers. The tendon was repaired with a six-strand repair method and the A4 pulley was completely released. Release of the C2 pulley combined with the A4 pulley was necessary in 12 fingers, nine fingers underwent a complete release of the A3, C2, and A4 pulleys, and one finger underwent a release of the C1, A3, C2, and A4 pulleys. The mean total active motion of the three finger joints was 234° at 5 to 12 months of follow-up. No bowstringing was noted in these fingers. The good and excellent recovery of active digital motion was in 20 (91%) out of 22 fingers according to Strickland’s criteria or Tang’s criteria. Our results suggest that release of the A3, C2, and A4 pulleys makes the repair surgery easier and does not cause tendon bowstringing. Level of Evidence: IV

Incidence of tenolysis and features of adhesions in the digital flexor tendons after multi-strand repair and early active motion

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koji Moriya ◽  
Takea Yoshizu ◽  
Naoto Tsubokawa ◽  
Hiroko Narisawa ◽  
Yutaka Maki
Keyword(s):  
Flexor Tendon ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Tendon Repair ◽  
The Other ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis ◽  
Flexor Tendon Repair ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Active Motion ◽  
Active Mobilization ◽  
Flexor Digitorum

We report seven patients requiring tenolysis after primary or delayed primary flexor tendon repair and early active mobilization out of 148 fingers of 132 consecutive patients with Zone 1 or 2 injuries from 1993 to 2017. Three fingers had Zone 2A, two Zone 2B, and two Zone 2C injuries. Two fingers underwent tenolysis at Week 4 or 6 after repair because of suspected repair rupture. The other five fingers had tenolysis 12 weeks after repair. Adhesions were moderately dense between the flexor digitorum superficialis and profundus tendons or with the pulleys. According to the Strickland and Tang criteria, the outcomes were excellent in one finger, good in four, fair in one, and poor in one. Fingers requiring tenolysis after early active motion were 5% of the 148 fingers so treated. Indications for tenolysis were to achieve a full range of active motion in the patients rated good or improvement of range of active motion of the patients rated poor or fair. Not all of our patients with poor or fair outcomes wanted to have tenolysis. Level of evidence: IV

Flexor Tendon Repair Using a Stainless Steel Internal Anchor

1998 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. GORDON ◽  
M. TOLAR ◽  
K. T. VENKATESWARA RAO ◽  
R. O. RITCHIE ◽  
S. RABINOWITZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Flexor Tendon ◽  
Tendon Repair ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Flexor Tendon Repair ◽  
Active Flexion ◽  
Active Range Of Motion ◽  
Flexor Digitorum

We have developed a stainless steel internal tendon anchor that is used to strengthen a tendon repair. This study tested its use in vitro to produce a repair that can withstand the tensile strength demands of early active flexion. Fresh human cadaver flexor digitorum profundus tendons were harvested, divided, and then repaired using four different techniques: Kessler, Becker or Savage stitches, or the internal tendon anchor. The internal splint repairs demonstrated a 99–270% increase in mean maximal linear tensile strength and a 49–240% increase in mean ultimate tensile strength over the other repairs. It is hoped that this newly developed internal anchor will provide a repair that will be strong enough to allow immediate active range of motion.

Sonographic study of repair, gapping and tendon bowstringing after primary flexor digitorum profundus repair in zone 2

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 480-486 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Reissner ◽  
Nadja Zechmann-Mueller ◽  
Holger Jan Klein ◽  
Maurizio Calcagni ◽  
Thomas Giesen
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Ultrasound Examination ◽  
Tendon Repair ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Repair Site ◽  
Heterotopic Ossifications ◽  
Finger Motion ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon

We report sonographic findings with clinical outcomes after zone 2 flexor digitorum profundus tendon repairs in ten fingers. The tendons underwent a six-strand M-Tang core repair, no circumferential suture, and partial or complete division of the pulleys. Over 12 months after surgery and using ultrasound, we found no gapping at the repair site during finger motion. When the pulleys were divided, there was sonographic evidence of tendon bowstringing, but the bowstringing was minimal. Clinically, we did not find any fingers that displayed tendon bowstringing or had functional loss. With ultrasound examination, the repaired tendons remained enlarged over 12 months. Two patients developed heterotopic ossifications at the repair site without tendon gliding, and these required tenolysis. We conclude that the tendon repair site does not gap when a strong core suture is used in the repair without adding peripheral sutures. There is no notable tendon bowstringing clinically, though the repaired tendons have sonographic evidence of minor bowstringing. Level of evidence: III

Flexor digitorum profundus with or without flexor digitorum superficialis tendon repair in acute Zone 2B injuries

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1034-1044
Author(s):  
Ahmed F. Sadek
Keyword(s):  
Tendon Repair ◽  
Flexion Contracture ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Power Grip ◽  
Contralateral Hand ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon

A total of 53 patients with complete cuts of two flexor tendons in Zone 2B treated over a 9-year period was reviewed. Twenty-three patients (28 fingers) had only flexor digitorum profundus repair, while 30 patients (36 fingers) had both flexor digitorum profundus and flexor digitorum superficialis repairs, with a mean follow-up of 21 months (range 12–84). The decision to repair the flexor digitorum superficialis was made according to intraoperative judgement of ease of repair and gliding of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon. Two groups of patients showed no significant differences in total range of active or passive digital motion and power grip percentage to the contralateral hand. However, the values of power grip were statistically superior in the patients with both tendons repaired. The patients after flexor digitorum profundus-only repairs showed significantly greater but still mild flexion contracture (mean 20 °) of the operated digits. The Tang gradings were the same with 89% good and excellent rates in both groups. The conclusion is that although repair of both flexor digitorum profundus and flexor digitorum superficialis tendons is slightly more preferable based on increased grip strength, the repair of the flexor digitorum superficialis together with flexor digitorum profundus is not mandatory. Whether or not to repair flexor digitorum superficialis is an intraoperative decision based on the ease of gliding of the repaired tendon(s). Level of evidence: III

Clinical outcomes of early active mobilization following flexor tendon repair using the six-strand technique: short- and long-term evaluations

2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Moriya ◽  
T. Yoshizu ◽  
Y. Maki ◽  
N. Tsubokawa ◽  
H. Narisawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flexor Tendon ◽  
Tendon Repair ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Superficialis ◽  
Flexor Tendon Repair ◽  
Active Motion ◽  
Total Active Motion ◽  
Active Mobilization ◽  
Flexor Digitorum

We evaluated the factors influencing outcomes of flexor tendon repair in 112 fingers using a six-strand suture with the Yoshizu #1 technique and early postoperative active mobilization in 101 consecutive patients. A total of 32 fingers had injuries in Zone I, 78 in Zone II, and two in Zone III. The mean follow-up period was 6 months; 16 patients (19 fingers) participated in long-term follow-up of 2 to 16 years. The total active motion was 230° SD 29°; it correlated negatively with age. The total active motion was 231° SD 28° after repair of the lacerated flexor digitorum superficialis tendon, and was 205° SD 37° after excision of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon ends ( p = 0.0093). A total of 19 fingers showed no significant increases in total active motion more than 2 years after surgery. The rupture rate was 5.4% in our patients and related to surgeons’ level of expertise. Five out of six ruptured tendons were repaired by inexperienced surgeons. Level of Evidence IV

Differential Splintage for Flexor Tendon Rehabilitation: An Experimental Study of its Effect on Finger Flexion Strength

2005 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-174 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. SAVAGE ◽  
M. G. PRITCHARD ◽  
M. THOMAS ◽  
R. G. NEWCOMBE
Keyword(s):  
Flexor Tendon ◽  
Tendon Repair ◽  
Metacarpophalangeal Joint ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Profundus ◽  
Active Flexion ◽  
Finger Flexion ◽  
Middle Ring ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Flexion Force ◽  
Flexion Strength

We conducted laboratory tests to investigate the possibility of partly de-powering flexor digitorum profundus with a view of reducing flexion force during active flexor tendon rehabilitation. We constructed a splint and applied tapes to the proximal segments of fingers to test the hypothesis that holding three fingers more extended than the other finger would reduce the flexion strength of the more flexed finger. The splint allowed the metacarpophalangeal joint of the more flexed finger to be held in three positions of increasing flexion (15°, 30°, and 45°) compared to the remaining three fingers. We have called this ‘differential splintage’. Healthy volunteers were tested for maximum active flexion strength at the different flexion angles. ‘Differential splintage’ of up to 45° resulted in mean decreased flexion strength of 28% in the index finger and 35% to 38% in the middle, ring and little fingers. The results suggest that “differential splintage” of a finger after flexor tendon repair may be useful in reducing tension across the repair during a program of active tendon rehabilitation and we feel that it has potential to reduce the incidence of repair rupture before healing is complete.

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