Unclassified Avulsion Injury of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon

Nedhal Abdullah Alqumber; Eman Hassan Albahhar

doi:10.12691/ajmcr-3-12-5

American Journal of Medical Case Reports

Vol. 3, No. 12, 2015, pp 403-405. doi: 10.12691/ajmcr-3-12-5 | Case Study

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Unclassified Avulsion Injury of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon

Nedhal Abdullah Alqumber^1,, Eman Hassan Albahhar²

¹Division of Plastic Surgery, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

²University of Dammam, Eastern Province

	Abstract
1.	Introduction
2.	Case Presentation
3.	Occupational Therapy
4.	Discussion
	References

Abstract

Traumatic avulsions of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon are usually presented in young adults engaged in athletic activities like football. Increased attention to injuries acquired during this form of activity is suggested. In this report the authors present a case of pure avulsion of the FDP with tendon retraction to the level of PIP (type II) and concomitant transverse fracture to distal phalanx secondary to injury during motor cycle accident.

Keywords: avulsion fracture, flexor digitorum profundus

Cite this article:

Nedhal Abdullah Alqumber, Eman Hassan Albahhar. Unclassified Avulsion Injury of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon. American Journal of Medical Case Reports. Vol. 3, No. 12, 2015, pp 403-405. https://pubs.sciepub.com/ajmcr/3/12/5

Alqumber, Nedhal Abdullah, and Eman Hassan Albahhar. "Unclassified Avulsion Injury of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon." American Journal of Medical Case Reports 3.12 (2015): 403-405.

Alqumber, N. A. , & Albahhar, E. H. (2015). Unclassified Avulsion Injury of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon. American Journal of Medical Case Reports, 3(12), 403-405.

Alqumber, Nedhal Abdullah, and Eman Hassan Albahhar. "Unclassified Avulsion Injury of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon." American Journal of Medical Case Reports 3, no. 12 (2015): 403-405.

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1. Introduction

Traumatic avulsions of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon are well known injuries that have been classified into 6 types ^{[1, 2]} usually presented in young adults engaged in athletic activities , In this report the authors present a case of pure avulsion of the FDP with tendon retraction to the level of PIP (type II) and concomitant transverse fracture to distal phalanx secondary to injury during motor cycle accident , a case that was not presented in literature before.

Prompt recognition and surgical repair of FDP avulsions are critical in obtaining optimal return of function of DIP joint and avoiding long-term sequelae associated with these injuries.

2. Case Presentation

A32 -year –old ,right handed man who had motor cycle accident he was sitting behind the driver and

During the accident he grabs the driver forcefully with the tips of his fingers trying to hold himself from fall.

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Figure 1. preoperatively

The patient present to emergency department with pain and tenderness over the volar aspect of left ring finger, which was neurovascularly intact, mild ecchymosis he were unable to flex the DIP joint of his ring finger Figure 1. Which was in slight extension relative to other fingers in the resting position, there was fullness at the volar aspect of f PIP joint, with tenodesis the ring finger where out of cascade.

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Figure 2. Anterior plain radiographs of the injury taken at presentation

The X-rays revealed displaced transverse fracture at the distal phalanx but no avulsion fragment identified in lateral view Figure 2 & Figure 3. The need for surgery, risk and complications, postoperative splinting and occupational therapy and the prognosis were discussed, and surgery was done the same day of presentation .A k-wire was used to fix the transverse fracture of the distal phalanx keeping the DIP joint free to start early protected motion Figure 4 the retracted flexor tendon was identified during the exploration through brunner incision at the level of PIP joint without osseous fragment Figure 5. The periosteum is elevated in preparation of the region of reinsertion of the tendon, a transverse dorsal incision at a point just less than 50% the distance between the DIP joint and a point half the distance to the nail to prevent inadvertent injury to the germinal matrix is made and two holes are drilled. A double-arm 3/0 polypropylene suture is passed through the tendon and the base of distal phalanx, and is tied dorsally. Both incisions are closed, leaving the repair entirely internal Figure 6, Figure 7 & Figure 8.

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Figure 3. oblique plain radiographs of the injury taken at presentation

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Figure 4. lateral plain radiographs of the injury taken postoperatively

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Figure 5. Intra operative picture showing the avulsed tendon

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Figure 6. Post operative picture

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Figure 7. Anterior plain radiographs of the injury taken postoperatively

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Figure 8. lateral plain radiographs of the injury taken postoperatively

3. Occupational Therapy

The patient hand splinted with the IP joint in extension, the MCP joint in 90 degree flexion and the wrist in 30 degree of flexion. the k wire removed after 5 week.

After surgery, early motion in Kleinert splint was started .at the last follow-up 9 months postoperatively with normal total active range of motion of distal interpharangeal joint.

4. Discussion

Avulsion injury of FDP from insertion at base of distal phalanx is considered a Zone I flexor tendon injury, the Ring finger involved in ~75% of cases ^{[3, 4]}, because during grip the ring fingertip is 5 mm more prominent than other digits in ~90% of patients,this type of injury most of the time happen when the ring finger exposed to greater average force than other fingers during pull-away were the muscle belly of FDP is in maximal contraction during forceful DIP extension as in this case.

Six types have been described in the literature ^[5].

The first three types were classified by Leddy and Packer in 1977 ^[7].

Type I: is avulsion without fracture with tendon retraction to the palm outside the fibro-osseous tunnel; the vincula long us and brevis are rupture .type II: avulsion, a small fragment of bone is avulsed with the tendon, which retracts to the level of the proximal interphalangeal joint; the long vinculum usually remain intact. Type III: the avulsed tendon attached to a large bony fragment that become caught in the A4 pully at the DIP preventing further retraction .Both vincula remain intact, Type IV avulsion were first described by Robin and Dobyns in 1974. In 1981,Smith proposed that they be included in the Leddy and Packer classification .type IV as type III but with simultaneous avulsion of the tendon from the bony fragment hence it is two injuries ,type V (2001),VI (2004) was proposed by Al-Qattan ^{[5, 6]}. Type V is as type III but with concomitant fracture of distal phalanx ,typeVI: is when you have missed avulsed bony fragment ,type3,4 &5 are further divided into subgroup a (extraarticular) or b(intraarticular) fracture of distal phalanx.

Type I,IV must be repaired early within 10 days ,type II repair is possible within few weeks, type III possible within few months in general if the fracture is intraarticular it is recommended to repair it early to prevent joint incongruity and later osteoarthritis .

The current case reports do not match any of the previous types mentioned above. And it can be described as type II with associated extraarticular fracture of the distal phalanx or type (IIb). however the treatment is the same as type II except that the distal phalanx need to be fixed.

References

[1]	Rizis D, Mahoney JL. A rare presentation of flexor digitorum profundus type V avulsion injury with associated intra-articular fracture: A case report. Can J Plast Surg. 2011;19(2):62-3.
	In article	PubMed

[2]	Mansat M, Bonnevialle P. Traumatic avulsion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon. Report of nineteen cases. Ann Chir Main. 1985;4(3):185-96.
	In article	View Article

[3]	Ruchelsman DE, Christoforou D, Wasserman B, Lee SK, Rettig ME. Avulsion injuries of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2011;19(3):152-62.
	In article	PubMed

[4]	Shabat S, Sagiv P, Stern A, Nyska M. Avulsion fracture of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon (’Jersey finger') type III. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2002;122(3):182-3.
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[5]	Al-Qattan MM. Type 6 avulsion of the insertion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon. Inj Extra. 2005;36(2):19-21.
	In article	View Article

[6]	Al-Qattan MM. Type 5 avulsion of the insertion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon. J Hand Surg 2001; 26B: 427-31.
	In article	View Article PubMed

[7]	Leddy JP, Packer JW. Avulsion of the profundus tendon insertion in athletes. J Hand Surg Am. 1977; 2(1): 66-9.
	In article	View Article