Introduction Commonly result from volar lacerations and may have concomitant neurovascular injury Classified by the zone of injury (see table below) basic concepts in repair are similar for different zones location of laceration directly affects healing potential Phases of Tendon Healing Phase Days Histology Strength Inflammatory 0-5 cellular proliferation none Fibroblastic 5-28 fibroblastic proliferation with disorganized collagen increasing Remodeling >28 linear collagen organization will tolerate controlled active motion Anatomy Muscles flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) functions as a flexor of the DIP joint assists with PIP and MCP flexion shares a common muscle belly in the forearm flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) functions as a flexor of the PIP joint assists with MCP flexion individual muscle bellies exist in the forearm FDS to the small finger is absent in 25% of people flexor pollicis longus (FPL) located within the carpal tunnel as the most radial structure flexor carpi radialis (FCR) primary wrist flexor inserts on the base of the second metacarpal closest flexor tendon to the median nerve flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) primary wrist flexor inserts on the pisiform, hook of hamate, and the base of the 5th metacarpal Blood supply 2 sources exist diffusion through synovial sheaths occurs when flexor tendons are located within a sheath it is the more important source distal to the MCP joint direct vascular supply nourishes flexor tendons located outside of synovial sheaths Campers chiasm located at the level of the proximal phalanx where FDP splits FDS Pulley system digits 1-4 contain 5 annular pulleys (A1 to A5) 3 cruciate pulleys (C1 to C3) A2 and A4 are the most important pulleys to prevent flexor tendon bowstringing thumb contains 2 annular pulley interposed oblique pulley (most important) Classification Zone Definition Introduction Treatment I Distal to FDS insertion Jersey finger II FDS insertion to distal palmar crease Zone is unique in that FDP and FDS in same tendon sheath (both injured within the flexor retinaculum) Direct repair of both tendons followed by early ROM (Duran, Kleinert). Be sure to preserve A2 and A4 pulley. This zone historically had very poor results but results have improved due to advances in postoperative motion protocols III Palm Often associated with neurovascular injury which carries a worse prognosis Direct tendon repair. Good results from direct repair can be expected due to absence of retinacular structures (if no neurovascular injury) IV Carpal tunnel Often complicated by postoperative adhesions due to close quarters and synovial sheath of the carpal tunnel Direct tendon repair. Transverse carpal ligament should be repaired in a lengthened fashion V Wrist to forearm Often associated with neurovascular injury which carries a worse prognosis Direct tendon repair Thumb TI, TII, TIII Outcomes different than fingers. Early motion protocols do not improve long-term results and there is a higher re-rupture rate than flexor tendon repair in fingers Direct end-to-end repair of FPL is advocated. Try to avoid Zone III to avoid injury to the recurrent motor branch of the median nerve. Oblique pulley is more important than the A1 pulley; however both may be incised if necessary. Attempt to leave one pulley intact to prevent bowstringing Presentation Symptoms loss of active flexion strength or motion of the involved digit(s) Physical exam inspection observe resting posture of the hand and assess the digital cascade evidence of malalignment or malrotation may indicate an underlying fracture assess skin integrity to help localize potential sites of tendon injury look for evidence of traumatic arthrotomy range of motion passive wrist flexion and extension allows for assessment of the tenodesis effect normally wrist extension causes passive flexion of the digits at the MCP, PIP, and DIP joints maintenance of extension at the PIP or DIP joints with wrist extension indicates flexor tendon discontinuity active PIP and DIP flexion is tested in isolation for each digit neurovascular exam important given the close proximity of flexor tendons to the digital neurovascular bundles Treatment Nonoperative wound care and early range of motion indications partial lacerations < 60% of tendon width outcomes may be associated with gap formation or triggering Operative flexor tendon repair and controlled mobilization indications lacerations > 60% of tendon width outcomes depends on zone of injury flexor tendon reconstruction and intensive postoperative rehabilitation indications failed primary repair chronic untreated injuries outcomes subsequent tenolysis is required more than 50% of the time FDS4 transfer to thumb single stage procedure indication chronic FPL rupture Surgical Technique Flexor Tendon Repair of Complete Lacerations approach incisions should always cross flexion creases transversely or obliquely to avoid contractures (never longitudinal) timing of repair perform repair within three weeks of injury (2 weeks ideal) waiting longer leads to difficulty due to tendon retraction technique # of suture strands that cross the repair site is more important than the number of grasping loops linear relationship between strength of repair and # of sutures crossing repair 4-6 strands provide adequate strength for early active motion high-caliber suture material increases strength and stiffness and decreases gap formation locking-loops decrease gap formation ideal suture purchase is 10mm from cut edge core sutures placed dorsally are stronger meticulous atraumatic tendon handling minimizes adhesions circumferential epitendinous suture improves tendon gliding improves strength of repair (adds 20% to tensile strength) allows for less gap formation (first step in repair failure) simple running suture is recommended sheath repair is controversial theoretically improves tendon nutrition through synovial pathway clinical studies show no difference with or without sheath repair most surgeons will repair if it is easy to do pulley management critical to preserve A2 and A4 pulleys in digits and oblique pulley in thumb FDS repair in zone 2 injuries, repair of one slip alone improves gliding when compared to repair of both slips outcomes repair failure tendon repairs are weakest between postoperative day 6 and 12 repair usually fails at suture knots Flexor Tendon Repair of Partial Lacerations indications >75% laceration ≥50-60% laceration with triggering epitendinous suture at the laceration site is sufficient no benefit of adding core suture Wide-Awake Flexor Tendon Repair performed under tumescent local anesthesia using lidocaine with epinephrine dosing usually epinephrine 1:100,000 and 7mg/kg lidocaine from 1:400,000 to 1:1000 is safe if <50cc is needed 1% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epi for a 70kg person if 50-100cc is needed dilute with saline (50:50) to get 0.5% lidocaine, 1:200,000 epi if 100-200cc is needed for large fields (tendon transfer, spaghetti wrist) dilute with 150cc saline to get 0.25% lidocaine and 1:400,000 epi for longer surgery >2h add 10cc of 0.5% bupivacaine with 1:200,000 epi location proximal and middle phalanges, use 2ml distal phalanx, use 1ml palm, use 10-15ml no tourniquet, no sedation 4 advantages allows intraoperative assessment for repair gaps by getting awake patient to actively flex digit reduces need for postop tenolysis by allowing intraoperative assessment of whether repair will fit through pulleys allows on-the-spot debulking of bunched repairs allows division of A4 pulley and venting (partial division) of A2 pulleys allows repair of tendons inside tendon sheaths as patients can demonstrate that the inside of the sheath has not been inadvertently caught facilitates postop early active motion immobilize for 3 days begin active midrange motion after day 3 (form a partial fist with 45 degree flexion at MP, PIP and DIP joints, or "half a fist 45/45/45 regime") Reconstruction Technique requirements supple skin sensate digit adequate vascularity full passive range of motion of adjacent joints techniques of reconstruction involving silicone rods Hunter-Salisbury two-stage procedure Stage I - silicone rod is placed to create a favorable tendon bed Stage II (3-4 months) - retrieve SR and pass a tendon graft through the mesothelium lined pseudosheath only perform a single-stage reconstruction if the flexor sheath is pristine and the digit has full ROM pulvertaft weave proximally and end-to-end tenorrhaphy distally Paneva-Holevich two-stage technique Stage I - SR is placed in the flexor sheath, pulleys are reconstructed (as needed), and a loop between the proximal stumps of FDS and FDP is created in the palm Stage II - SR is retrieved, FDS is cut proximally and reflected distally through pseudosheath and attached directly to FDP stump/or secured with button advantages graft (FDS) size is known at the time of silicone rod selection less graft diameter-rod diameter mismatch FDS graft is intrasynovial (fewer adhesions than extrasynovial grafts) only relying on 1 tenorrhaphy site (distal or proximal) to heal at any one time (vs Hunter technique where 2 tennoprhaphy sites are healing simultaneously) disadvantage graft tensioning is at the distal end during stage II the proximal end has already healed after stage I graft choices palmaris longus (absent in 15% of population) most common plantaris (absent in 19%) indicated if longer graft is needed long toe extensor pulley reconstruction one pulley should be reconstructed proximal and distal to each joint methods include belt loop method and FDS tail method Tenolysis indications localized tendon adhesions with minimal to no joint contracture and full passive digital motion may be required if a discrepancy between active and passive motion exists after therapy timing of procedure wait for soft tissue stabilization (> 3 months) and full passive motion of all joints technique careful technique to preserve A2 and A4 pulleys postoperative care follow with extensive therapy Postoperative Rehabilitation Postoperative controlled mobilization has been the major reason for improved results with tendon repair especially in zone II leads to improved tendon healing biology limits restrictive adhesions and leads to increased tendon excursion Early active motion protocols moderate force and potentially high excursion dorsal blocking splint limiting wrist extension perform “place and hold” exercises with digits Early passive motion protocols Duran protocol low force and low excursion active finger extension with patient-assisted passive finger flexion Kleinert protocol low force and low excursion active finger extension, dynamic splint-assisted passive finger flexion Mayo synergistic splint low force and high tendon excursion adds active wrist motion which increases flexor tendon excursion the most Immobilize children and noncompliant patients Children should be immobilized following repair Casts or splints are applied with the wrist and MCP joints positioned in flexion and the IP joints in extension Complications Tendon adhesions most common complication following flexor tendon repair Rerupture 15-25% rerupture rate treatment if <1cm of scar is present, resect the scar and perform primary repair if >1cm of scar is present, perform tendon graft if the sheath is intact and allows passage of a pediatric urethral catheter or vascular dilator, perform primary tendon grafting if the sheath is collapsed, place Hunter rod and perform staged grafting Joint contracture rates as high as 17% Swan-neck deformity Trigger finger Lumbrical plus finger Quadrigia
Technique Guide 10/2/2017 Technique guide are not considered high yield topics for orthopaedic standardized exams including the ABOS, EBOT and RC. Zones I-III Repair Orthobullets Team Hand - Flexor Tendon Injuries
QUESTIONS 1 of 21 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Previous Next Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK (OBQ05.21) A 34-year-old man sustains a finger flexor tendon laceration and undergoes operative repair. Which of the following statements best describes the tendon motion rehabilitation protocol as depicted in Figures A where the splint holds the wrist at 45 degrees of flexion? Review Topic QID: 58 FIGURES: A 1 Low force and low excursion 45% (921/2034) 2 Moderate force and potentially high tendon excursion 4% (91/2034) 3 Low force and high tendon excursion 41% (827/2034) 4 High force and high tendon excursion 2% (33/2034) 5 High force and low tendon excursion 7% (141/2034) ML 4 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 1 (OBQ05.103) A 4-year-old boy sustains a flexor tendon laceration in Zone 2 of his 4th digit when he attempts to grab a knife. Optimal surgical management and postoperative rehabilitation consists of: Review Topic QID: 989 1 2 strand core suture technique and gentle active flexion and extension exercises with wrist in extension 4% (95/2417) 2 2 strand core suture technique and cast immobilization for 8 weeks 1% (32/2417) 3 4 strand core suture technique and gentle active flexion and extension exercises with wrist in extension 24% (569/2417) 4 4 strand core suture technique and cast immobilization for 4 weeks 61% (1484/2417) 5 4 strand core suture technique and cast immobilization for 8 weeks 9% (215/2417) ML 3 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 4 (OBQ12.182) Which of the following statements is true regarding zone II flexor tendon injuries? Review Topic QID: 4542 1 At this level, FDS and FDP are located within separate tendon sheaths 11% (261/2444) 2 FDS repair has not been shown to improve outcomes 10% (252/2444) 3 Improved gliding is seen with repair of 1 slip of FDS compared to repairing both slips 69% (1692/2444) 4 Repairing FDS does not affect post-operative digit strength 5% (113/2444) 5 FDP repair has not been shown to improve outcomes 4% (102/2444) ML 3 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 3 Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK (OBQ13.225) A 28-year-old man sustained a complete laceration of the flexor digitorum profundus of his index finger while cutting a watermelon 3 days ago. A clinical photograph is shown in Figure A. The surgeon plans to repair the tendon using a 4-strand core suture technique. Which method of tendon repair will give him the best results in terms of load to failure and gliding resistance? Review Topic QID: 4860 FIGURES: A 1 Repair with core suture purchase 5mm from the cut edge only. No epitendinous suture 2% (95/4467) 2 Repair with core suture purchase 10mm from the cut edge only. No epitendinous suture 3% (147/4467) 3 Repair with core suture purchase 5mm from the cut edge. Circumferential simple running epitendinous suture. 20% (903/4467) 4 Repair with core suture purchase 10mm from the cut edge. Circumferential Silfverskiold epitendinous suture. 12% (552/4467) 5 Repair with core suture purchase 10mm from the cut edge. Circumferential simple running epitendinous suture. 61% (2740/4467) ML 4 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 5 (OBQ06.274) A 32-year-old male sustains a 100% tear of his flexor tendon in the Zone 2 region after cutting his finger with a knife. You plan a one-stage repair of the flexor tendon. Which of the following variables has the greatest effect on increasing the strength of the tendon repair? Review Topic QID: 285 1 The size of the core suture 1% (23/2154) 2 Number of core strands crossing the repair site 92% (1980/2154) 3 Use of epitendinous suture 3% (67/2154) 4 Active range of motion during the immediate postoperative period 2% (33/2154) 5 Repair of the flexor tendon sheath 2% (35/2154) ML 1 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 2 (OBQ10.170) A 24-year-old male cuts his left middle finger with a knife while chopping vegetables. Physical exam reveals a zone 2 flexor tendon laceration. He undergoes a 2-strand core suture repair with epitendinous suture. This particular repair is strong enough for each of the following rehabilitation protocols EXCEPT: Review Topic QID: 3263 1 Kleinert protocol 3% (58/2024) 2 Duran protocol 4% (86/2024) 3 Synergistic motion protocol 5% (107/2024) 4 Low force and low tendon excursion passive range of motion 5% (100/2024) 5 Early digit active range of motion protocol 82% (1654/2024) ML 2 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 5 (OBQ08.227) Flexor tendons of the fingers within Zone 2 receive their primary nutritional supply from: Review Topic QID: 613 1 Vinculae 30% (606/2017) 2 Phalangeal periosteum 1% (24/2017) 3 Musculotendon junction 1% (20/2017) 4 Tendon insertion 1% (12/2017) 5 Diffusion from the synovial sheath 66% (1336/2017) ML 3 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 5 (OBQ09.97) You are seeing a 26-year-old man after he was involved in a knife fight. He has pain when flexing and extending his index finger. You explore a 2 centimeter wound in zone 2 and find his flexor tendons to the index are 40% lacerated. What is the preferred method of treatment? Review Topic QID: 2910 1 Trim the frayed tendon edges and begin early range of motion 74% (1842/2475) 2 Trim the frayed tendon edges and cast in an intrinsic positive position for 2 weeks 7% (162/2475) 3 Peritendinous 6/0 and Core 4/0 suture repair 14% (344/2475) 4 Core 4/0 suture repair 3% (82/2475) 5 Core 6/0 suture repair 1% (34/2475) ML 2 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 1 (OBQ08.165) The median nerve lies immediately ulnar to which of the following structures at the level of the distal radioulnar joint? Review Topic QID: 551 1 Flexor carpi radialis 76% (1410/1852) 2 Flexor carpi ulnaris 2% (45/1852) 3 Radial artery 4% (81/1852) 4 Flexor digitorum profundus 15% (277/1852) 5 Pronator teres 1% (21/1852) ML 2 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 1 (OBQ04.10) A 23-year-old presents with a knife laceration in the flexor zone 2 of the hand. Examination of the wound is performed and a laceration of the flexor tendon one-half the width of the tendon is identified. There is no triggering present as the patient's finger is passively extended and flexed fully. The most appropriate treatment is: Review Topic QID: 121 1 No tendon repair with early protected range of motion 72% (911/1263) 2 No tendon repair with splint immobilization for 2 weeks 6% (79/1263) 3 Tendon repair with 2 strand repair and early protected range of motion 9% (118/1263) 4 Tendon repair with 2 strand repair with splint immobilization for 2 weeks 3% (39/1263) 5 Tendon repair with 4 strand repair and early active range of motion 8% (105/1263) ML 2 Select Answer to see Preferred Response PREFERRED RESPONSE 1 Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK Sorry, this question is for PEAK Premium Subscribers only Upgrade to PEAK
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FDP Flexor Tendon Re-rupture (C2522) Hand - Flexor Tendon Injuries HPI - Dec 6th, 2015 - Deep laceration to palm of hand (zone III/IV). Ruptured all 8 flexor tendons (except for thumb), severed median and ulnar nerves. Dec 15th, 2015 - Six-hour long repair; nerve grafting. Immobilized post-op for one week, then transitioned to a splint + passive-active motion. January 5th, 2016 - Sutures removed, active motion allowed. February 18th, 2016 - Decent range of motion, a lot of scarring in the palm present. The middle finger is doing best, able to touch the palm. Very good range of motion at all DIP joints. (Please see the attached video). February 19th, 2016 - At 8 weeks and 2 days post-repair, sudden loss of middle finger tip flexion (DIP). Most likely re-rupture. The range of motion at PIP joint worsens as well. Previous best finger now becomes the worst with the least ROM. March 1st, 2016 - At about 10 weeks post-repair, able to bend the tip of middle finger if and only if the PIP joint is held down. (Again, video attached). Most likely it was possible all along, just haven't tried/put enough force into it. What is the possible cause of this new onset middle-finger DIP stiffness? 3/4/2016 181 1 5