Proximal Coiling of the Profundus Tendon After Laceration of the Finger

Abstract

Three patients who had delayed primary repair of a severed flexor digitorum profundus in the finger were found to have proximal coiling of the tendon in the palm. These patients’ hands had been inadequately immobilised during the interval between injury and surgery. The most likely pathomechanics of this unusual finding is secondary retraction and coiling of the severed tendon from unrestrained muscle contraction after division of the tendon. Precautions should be taken when retrieving the tendon stump for tenorrhaphy.