title: Closed flexor tendon disruption in athletes.
abstract: Closed tendon injuries of the hand and wrist are very common in the athletic population. Most of these injuries, especially those involving the extensor tendons, can be treated successfully with nonoperative management if seen acutely. Acute closed flexor tendon injuries, however, usually require operative intervention for the best result. Although evaluation and diagnosis of flexor tendon injuries are relatively straightforward, diagnosis is still commonly delayed secondary to both delayed presentation and missed diagnoses. If diagnosis is delayed, operative intervention becomes less optimal and the patient may have a permanent disability regardless of treatment. Generally, athletes are able to return to their pre-injury level of participation regardless of treatment. This is a product of both the finger involved--usually ring or little--and the extent of the disability. In many instances, the athlete may even continue participation during treatment with protective splinting.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick, USA.
authors.forename: B D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Stamos
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Leddy
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012421:Rupture; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*