Closed disruption of a single flexor digitorum superficialis tendon slip: 3 cases

Hand Surg Rehabil. 2019 Apr;38(2):121-124. doi: 10.1016/j.hansur.2019.01.003. Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Abstract

Two men and one woman (age 31, 36 and 45 years) felt a painful pop in the left middle, right middle and right index finger during sport-related activities (2 sport climbing and 1 judo). Clinical examination found a painful flexor tendon in zone 2 but no function deficit specific to the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendon. MRI and ultrasonography revealed a complete disruption of the radial FDS tendon slip only, which was found retracted between the A2 and A3 pulleys. All flexor tendon pulleys remained intact. Conservative and functional treatment resulted in unrestricted normal function and return to sport. Disruption of one FDS tendon slip is a differential diagnosis for a popping incident in the finger, which is typically associated with a closed flexor tendon pulley injury.

Keywords: Claquement tendon fléchisseur; Closed distal FDS tendon single slip disruption; Closed flexor tendon disruption; Closed flexor tendon injury related to sports; Flexor digitorum superficialis; Lésion fermée du tendon fléchisseur au sport; Popping of flexor tendon; Rupture du tendon fléchisseur superficiel des doigts; lésion fermée de la partie radiale du tendon fléchisseur superficiel; lésion fermée du tendon fléchisseur superficiel.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Athletic Injuries / therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Splints
  • Tendon Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Tendon Injuries / therapy*
  • Ultrasonography