Flexor Tendon
Extensor Tendon
Blood
Protocols
The Fun Stuff
100
A patient flicks a pesky dragonfly off of their sweater. They experienced a pop and immediate swelling. What is the likely extensor tendon injury?
Zone 5 sagittal band injury
100
Extensor tendons receive blood flow directly OR indirectly?
Indirectly. They bathe in blood.
100
What would be the best protocol for a pediatric patient under 12 years of age?
Immobilization protocol.
200
What protocol keeps the wrist in 45 degrees extension and has the Manchester short splint?
St. John's Protocol.
300
At what day range are flexor tendon repairs the weakest?
Day 7-10
300
What structures provide direct blood flow to flexor tendons?
Vincula (brevis and longus)
300
What type of protocol does Armworks use?
Early Active Motion
300
What is a lumbrical plus finger?
Paradoxical extension of the IP joints while attempting to flex the fingers.
When FDP is lacerated, contraction of the same muscle pulls on lumbricals, which then transmits force to extend IPJs via the lateral bands.
400
What makes a program "early active motion"?
Initiating AROM in the first week post-op
400
What is a superficialis finger?
A finger without FDP.
500
What is the quadriga effect?
Incomplete flexion of FDPs of un-injured long, ring, or small fingers when the shortened FDP reaches max flexion too early (due to their shared common muscle origin)
Happens if, during flexor tendon repair, you advance FDP more than 1cm or if scar tissue develops