Tendon Injuries of the Hand and Forearm Robert Goitz, M.D. Chief, Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
Extensor Tendon Injuries
Extensor Tendon Anatomy
Extensor Tendon Anatomy
Extensor Tendon Injuries Prognosis Ø 60% assoc w/other injuries Fracture Dislocation Joint Flexor tendon Ø Outcome Dependent on assoc injuries
Mallet Finger Ø Extensor mechanism disruption from the distal phalanx Ø Soft tissue vs. avulsion Ø Obtain radiograph to evaluate for: Fracture Subluxation Physeal Injury
Bony Mallet Finger
Swan Neck
Mallet Finger
Mallet Finger Treatment Ø First 6 weeks Stack splint - Continuous Ø At 6 weeks AROM with removable splint Ø At 8 weeks PROM & night splint
Mallet Finger Treatment Ø Surgery if: Physeal injury Subluxation Displaced bony mallet Chronic swan neck
Zone II/IV Injury Middle/Proximal Phalanx Tendons very flat < 50% lac and strong extension Splint for 10 d AROM afterwards >50% Repair with core suture Continuous splinting x 6 wks
Zone III Injury Central Slip Disruption at PIP Mechanism Forceful PIP hyperflexion Volar PIP Dislocation Laceration Boutonniere later develops
Zone III Injury Closed Boutonniere Lesion Treatment: Splint PIP in extension Continuously - 6 weeks Leave DIP free
Zone III Injury Open Boutonniere Lesion Treatment I&D joint Suture repair K wire PIP in ext for 6 wks
Zone V Injury MP Joint Ø Human Bites I&D, leave open, ABX Return in 7-10 d for tendon repair Retraction in this zone uncommon
Ø Longitudinal tear of extensor hood Ø Traumatic or spontaneous Flicking finger Ø Ulnar dislocation (radial tear) Ø Results in incomplete extension and ulnar deviation Ø Treat by repair and 4 wks of MP ext splinting Zone V Injury MP Joint Tendon Dislocation
Zone VI/VII Injury Ø Tendons thicker Ø Treatment Core suture repair
Extensor Tendon Injury Summary Ø Anatomy Complicated Ø Treatment Simple: Repair tendon Immobilize 4 weeks Ø Outcome Dependent on associated injuries
Flexor Tendon Zones
Volar Digital Anatomy
Volar Digital Anatomy
Diagnosis?
Volar Laceration Extent of Injury Ø Cascade
Volar Laceration Extent of Injury Tenodesis
Flexor Tendon Exam FDS- Superficialis FDP-Profundus
Volar Laceration Extent of Injury Forearm Compression
Diagnosis?
Jersey Finger Ø Definition FDP avulsion Ø Mechanism Eccentric contraction
Jersey Finger Ø Staging (Retraction) Type I: Palm Type II: A2 pulley Type III: A4 pulley
Jersey Finger Treatment Ø Surgical repair Ø Timing and feasibility based on level of retraction
Jersey Finger Treatment Return to sport/work in 3 month
Palmar Anatomy
Forearm Flexor Tendon Injuries Zone VI Zone V
Forearm Flexor Tendon Injuries Ø Mechanism of Injury Accidental Trauma Glass window Suicide attempt Volar radius plates
Volar Forearm Anatomy Superficial Layer
Volar Forearm Anatomy Middle Layer Deep Layer
Volar Forearm Anatomy
Volar Forearm Anatomy
Volar Forearm Laceration Extent of Injury Ø Confounding Variables Intoxication Pain Anxiety Psychiatric Issues
Volar Forearm Injuries Repair Ø Extensile Exposure Ø Identify all structures first Ø Tendon repair Core suture Ø Nerve repair Epineural Ø Arterial repair
Volar Forearm Injuries Muscle Repair Nishimura et al, Acta Anat 1994
Volar Forearm Injuries Muscle Repair Ø Include epimysium and muscle (Kragh et al, J Am Coll Sur 2005) Ø Directly repair any tendinous tissue in center of muscle Ø Core stitch with transverse limb Increase strength of repair 20% Kragh et al, J Am Coll Sur 2005
Volar Forearm Injuries Muscle Repair Ø Include epimysium and muscle Ø Directly repair any tendinous tissue in center of muscle Ø Core stitch with transverse limb
Volar Forearm Injuries Muscle Repair Ø Include epimysium and muscle Ø Directly repair any tendinous tissue in center of muscle Ø Core stitch with transverse limb
Flexor Tendon Rupture Volar Plate Prominence
Flexor Tendon Rupture Volar Plate Prominence
Flexor Tendon Rupture Volar Plate Prominence
Flexor Tendon Injury Outcome Ø Knowledge of anatomy Ø Optimize strength of repair to allow early mobilization Ø Full digital motion uncommon Ø Worst outcomes in Zone II Tight flexor sheath Ø Confounding issues of host Noncompliance Psychiatric issues Ø Tenolysis (10%)
Thank you!