Purpose
The aims of this study were to examine nonrepaired 90% partial lacerations of human
cadaver flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon after simulated active motion, and
to assess the residual ultimate tensile strength.
Methods
Partial, transverse zone II flexor tendon lacerations were made in the volar 90% of
the tendon substance in 10 FDP tendons from 5 fresh-frozen human cadaver hands. The
tendons were cycled in the curvilinear fashion described by Greenwald 500 times to
a tension 25% greater than the maximum in vivo active FDP flexion force measured by Schuind and colleagues. The tendons were then
loaded to failure using the same curvilinear model.
Results
No tendons ruptured during cycling. Triggering occurred in 3 tendons. All 3 began
triggering early in the cycling process, and continued to trigger throughout the remainder
of the 500 cycles. The observed triggering mechanics in each case involved the interaction
of the proximal face of the lacerated tendon with Camper's chiasm and the pulley edges
during extension. The load to failure value of the 90% partially lacerated tendons
averaged 141.7 ± 13 N (mean ± standard deviation). Tendon failure occurred by delamination
of the intact collagen fibers from the distal, discontinuous 90% of the tendon.
Conclusions
Cadaveric transverse zone II partial flexor tendon lacerations have residual tensile
strength greater than the force required for protected active mobilization.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
October 16,
2009
Received:
June 29,
2009
Footnotes
Funded by a competitive grant from the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation.
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Published by Elsevier Inc.
