Clinical treatment of partial tendon lacerations without suturing and with early motion.

Partial lacerations of flexor tendons in chickens come out the strongest and glide best if they are not sutured and not immobilized. We treated 17 patients with 20 partial flexor tendon lacerations by not suturing the tendon and by early mobilization of the digit. These partial tendon lacerations varied from 25 to 95 percent of the cross-sectional area. Sixteen of obtained excellent function of the digit, and one obtained good to excellent function. This technique should be used only in cooperative patients.