The effect of flexor sheath integrity on nutrient uptake by primate flexor tendons.

The effect of flexor sheath excision versus sheath incision and repair on the uptake of 3H-proline by profundus tendons in zone II was examined. Proline uptake was measured at 7 days in eight monkeys with intact flexor tendons (group I) and at either 3 or 7 days in eight monkeys with the tendons transected and repaired (group II). In both groups, the flexor sheaths of the digits of the right hand were excised, whereas those of the left hand were incised and repaired.

Development of a synthetic replacement for the flexor tendon pulleys--an experimental study.

A method was developed to reconstruct the fibro-osseous pulleys with Nitex, a synthetic material. Nitex is a closely woven fabric constructed from monofilament nylon fibers. Six adult monkeys (24 digits) had excision of the A1 and A2 pulleys; this was followed by reconstruction of the A2 pulley with the Nitex synthetic material.

Continuous passive motion as an adjunct therapy for tenolysis.

A model was developed to evaluate continuous passive motion as an adjunct to tenolysis. The use of continuous passive motion after tenolysis was associated with a significant increase in tendon rupture and the terminal force necessary to flex the phalanx actively. Also, there was a decrease in the passive range of motion in the continuous passive motion group which appeared to be the result of increased granulation tissue which formed around tenolysed tendon.

Effect of pulley excision on flexor tendon biomechanics.

Flexor tendon function following excision of various portions of the fibro-osseous pulley system was measured biomechanically using a tensile testing machine. The biomechanical parameters measured were tendon excursion (the excursion of the tendon required to fully flex the digit) and work of flexion (the area under the force-excursion curve, representing all the forces that resist tendon flexion). In this experiment, work of flexion included the forces necessary to accomplish full digital flexion against a 15-g counter-weight, as well as the frictional forces that resist tendon gliding.

Effect of flexor sheath integrity on tendon gliding: a biomechanical and histologic study.

The effect on tendon gliding of flexor sheath excision versus incision/closure following primary flexor tendon repair was examined biomechanically and histologically in forty-one chickens. There was no significant difference in either the tendon excursion required to fully flex the digit or in the work of flexion (the integration of the forces that resist tendon gliding during excursion) between the sheath excised and sheath closed groups. The results were unaffected by postoperative immobilization or intermittent passive motion.