title: Traumatic flexor tendon injuries.
abstract: The flexor system of the fingers consisting of flexor tendons and finger pulleys is a key anatomic structure for the grasping function. Athletes and manual workers are particularly at risk for closed injuries of the flexor system: ruptured pulleys, ruptures of the flexor digitorum profundus from its distal attachment ("jersey finger"), and less frequently, ruptures of the flexor digitorum superficialis and of the lumbrical muscles. Open injuries vary more and their imaging features are more complex since tendons may be torn in several locations, the locations may be unusual, the injuries may be associated with nerve and vascular injuries, fibrosis… Sonography is the best imaging modality to associate with the clinical exam for it allows an experienced physician to make an accurate and early diagnosis, crucial to appropriate early treatment planning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging, CHU de Toulouse-Purpan, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France; Languedoc Imaging Center, 26, rue Ernest-Cognacq, ZAC Bonne source, 11100 Narbonne, France. Electronic address: franck.lapegue@gmail.com.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lapegue
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery and Reconstructive Surgery, Institut de l'appareil locomoteur, CHU de Toulouse-Purpan, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France; Laboratory of Anatomy, université de Toulouse, 133, route de Narbonne, 31400 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andre
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging, CHU de Toulouse-Purpan, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brun
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging, CHU de Toulouse-Purpan, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bakouche
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging, CHU de Toulouse-Purpan, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chiavassa
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging, CHU de Toulouse-Purpan, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sans
authors.affiliation: Department of Imaging, CHU de Toulouse-Purpan, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faruch
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Finger pulleys; Flexor tendons; Jersey finger; Lumbrical muscles; Trauma injuries