Abstract
Thirteen injured digits in 10 patients (10 hands) with 20 potentially injured flexor
tendons were preoperatively evaluated using real-time ultrasonography. The time interval
between injury and ultrasonographic evaluation averaged 22 days. If a complete tendon
laceration was found, the location of the proximal tendon stump was determined. Surgery
was performed an average of 4 days after the ultrasonographic evaluation to determine
the accuracy of the ultrasound study. Ultrasonography accurately identified the status
of the flexor tendon in 11 of 13 digits and in 18 of 20 flexor tendons (12 intact,
2 partial lacerations, and 6 complete tendon lacerations). With complete tendon lacerations
the location of the proximal tendon stump was accurately identified in 5 of 6 digits.
There were 2 false ultrasound findings, including incorrectly identifying a 75% laceration
in an intact index flexor and a complete tendon laceration in a 75% lacerated index
finger flexor. Ultrasonography can help to evaluate the preoperative status of injured
flexor tendons and, in cases of completely lacerated tendons, can help identify the
location of the proximal tendon stump. (J Hand Surg 2000; 25A:236–241. Copyright ©
2000 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.)
Keywords
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
October 22,
1999
Received:
January 27,
1999
Footnotes
*No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
**Reprint requests: Donald H. Lee, MD, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, 505 MEB, 1813 Sixth Ave S, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294.
*0363-5023/00/25A02-0004$3.00/0
**J Hand Surg 2000; 25A:236–241
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
