title: Tendon healing, edema, and resistance to flexor tendon gliding: clinical implications.
abstract: Early flexor tendon healing is characterized by peak cellular apoptosis of both inflammatory and tendon cells in the first week, followed by progressively greater tenocyte proliferation in the second and third weeks. Tenocyte apoptosis is a predominant event, but proliferation of tenocytes is minimal in the middle and late healing periods. Edematous subcutaneous tissues, edema of the tendon, the intact annular pulleys, and extensor tendons all greatly contribute to the resistance. Careful consideration of the contributing factors and dynamics offers insight into strategies to reduce repair rupture and maximize tendon gliding through surgery and postoperative motion protocols.
authors: Department of Hand Surgery, The Hand Surgery Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, 20 West Temple Road, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China.
authors: Ya Fang
authors: YF
authors: Wu
authors: Jin Bo
authors: JB
authors: Tang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004487:Edema / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D017276:Friction; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012421:Rupture / Q000503:physiopathology; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*