Tendon plasticity-a property applicable to reconstructive surgery of the hand.

A study carried out by light and electron microscopy of the behaviour of different tendons when subjected to lateral stretching and longitudinal splitting. Tendons like the FDS are more resistant to lateral stretching and show greater shredding. The structure of the tendon shows criss-crossing of the fibrils, necessary to stand up to the greater stress to which the tendon is normally exposed.