Factors affecting the healing and return of function on the repaired digital flexor tendon.

The results of a personal series of 275 flexor tendon repairs in the digits in 235 patients are reviewed. The repair technique is designed to respect the intrinsic vascular anatomy of the flexor tendon eculiar to this region. It involves the placement of sutures laterally and volarwards where the circulation is least interfered with. Males greatly predominated, and the majority of patients were aged between 15 and 34 years. Using 90 degrees as the "normal" range of movement of both the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, the mean percentage range of movement after repair was 89% of normal for the former joints and 49% for the latter.