Skip to main content

Injuries of the Extensor Tendons

  • Chapter
Hand and Wrist Rehabilitation

Abstract

The extensor system is composed of an extrinsic system and an intrinsic system that work in synergy during the digital extension. It is extra-synovial, except at the level of the extensor retinaculum where it is surrounded by a synovial sheath allowing its lubrication and nutrition. The most frequent injuries are subcutaneous ruptures in zones 1, 2 or 3, which are treated with orthotic, or open traumas that are treated with surgery.

In every case, rehabilitation must start as early as possible to limit fibrosis, which is responsible for the loss of glidings in the extensor system. It must also be dosed in order not to put excessive tension on the tendinous callus. The protocols are different depending on the damaged area and the type of injury.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Bibliography

  1. Landsmeer JMF (1949) The anatomy of the dorsal aponeurosis of the human finger and its functional significance. Anat Rec 104:31–44

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Hirai Y, Yoshida K, Yamanaka K et al (2001) An anatomic study of the extensor tendons of the human hand. J Hand Surg [Am] 26:1009–1015

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Warren RA, Kay NRM, Norris SH (1988) The microvascular anatomy of the distal digital tendon. J Hand Surg 13:161–163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Garcia-Elias M, An KM, Berglund L, Linscheid RL, Cooney WP, Chao EYS (1991) Extensor mechanism of the fingers. A quantitative geometric study. J Hand Surg 16:1130–1136

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Evans RB, Burkhalter WE (1986) A study of the dynamic anatomy of extensor tendons and implications for treatment. J Hand Surg [Am] 11:774–779

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Merle M, Dautel G (1997) La main traumatique: l’urgence. Masson, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  7. Liverneaux PH, Chantelot C (2011) La traumatology des parties molles de la main. Springer, Paris

    Book  Google Scholar 

  8. Rouzaud J-C, Allieu Y, Bénichou M (1990) Les lésions des tendons extenseurs de la main. Ann Kinésithérapie 17:255

    Google Scholar 

  9. Le Nen D, Laulan J (2001) Sémiologie de la main et du poignet. Sauramps médical, Montpellier

    Google Scholar 

  10. Tubiana R, Thomine J-M (1990) La main, anatomie fonctionnelle et examen clinique. Masson, Paris

    Google Scholar 

  11. Baratz ME, Schmidt CC, Hughes TB (2005) Extensor tendon injuries. In: Green DP, Hotchkiss RN, Pederson WC et al (eds) Operative hand surgery, 5th edn. Churchill Livingstone, New York

    Google Scholar 

  12. Isel M, Merle M (2012) Orthèses de la main et du poignet, protocols de rééducation

    Google Scholar 

  13. Dovelle S, Heeter PK, Fisher DR, Chow JA (1989) Rehabilitation of extensor tendon injury of the hand by means of early controlled motion. Am J Occup Ther 43:115–119

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Hung LK, Chan A, Chang J, Leung PC (1990) Early controlled active mobilization with dynamic splintage for extensor tendon injuries. J Hand Surg Am 15:251–257

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Russell RC, Jones M, Grobbelaar A (2003) Extensor tendon repair: mobilise or splint? Chir Main 22:19–23

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Howell JW, Merrit WH, Robinson SJ (2005) Intermediate controlled active motion following zone 4–7 extensor tendon repair. J Hand Ther 18:182–190

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Abouna JM, Brown H (1968) The treatment of mallet finger: the results in a series of 148 consecutive cases and a review of the literature. Br J Surg 55:653–667

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Grégory Mesplié .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mesplié, G., Lemoine, S. (2015). Injuries of the Extensor Tendons. In: Hand and Wrist Rehabilitation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16318-5_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16318-5_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-16317-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-16318-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics