Operative Findings in Camptodactyly of the Little Finger

Abstract

In five of six cases of camptodactyly in which an abnormality of the flexor tendon was examined at operation, the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon was hypoplastic and there was no continuity of the normal tendon between the muscle belly and bony insertion. The proximal end of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon was attached to the palmar aponeurosis and the flexor tendon sheath of the ring finger in two patients, to the palmar aponeurosis in one, to the undersurface of the transverse carpal ligament in one and to the flexor tendon sheath of the ring finger in one. The tenodesis effect of the abnormal tendon of the flexor digitorum superficialis is considered to play an important role in the cause and rapid increase of the deformity of camptodactyly.