An anatomical study of the relationship between excursion of the flexor tendons and digital mobility: proposition of an intraoperative test for flexor tendon tenolysis

The excursion of the flexor tendons of the thumb and fingers was studied in ten fresh cadaveric upper limbs. For each centimetre of tendon movement, obtained by traction of the flexor tendons at the wrist, the angular changes of the digital articulations were measured; movement started at extension and proceeded to maximum flexion. A further five upper limbs were used to evaluate the effect of pressure over the musculotendinous area of the flexor tendons of the fingers and thumb. Pressure on the muscle bellies in the forearm causes movement of the tendons, different for each finger, with the accompanying digital flexion depends on the magnitude of the movement. On the basis of this anatomical study a test is described which may be beneficial in the diagnosis of pathology and trauma of the flexor tendons and, particularly, in the intraoperative evaluation of the quality of motion obtained during tenolysis.