The Flexor Digitorum Profundus “Demi-Tendon” – A New Technique for Passage of the Flexor Profundus Tendon through the A4 Pulley

Abstract

The flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon may retract after avulsion or division in Zone 1. When treatment has been delayed, the oedematous tendon can be too swollen to pass freely through the A4 pulley. We present a new technique for dealing with this situation which depends on the “double-barrelled” nature of the distal part of the FDP tendon. One half of the tendon is excised longitudinally and the remaining “demi-tendon” is passed through the intact A4 pulley to allow tendon repair or re-attachment. This technique has been used in six cases in which passage of the FDP tendon through the A4 pulley would otherwise have been impossible.