ABSTRACT
Recent progress in understanding the function of the digital sheath, the pulley system, the vascularization of flexor tendons and tendon healing is very useful for the adaptation of surgical techniques to repair acute injuries of flexor tendons and for the proposal of an ‘ideal’ program of postoperative rehabilitation. Associated lesions (artery, nerve, bone, skin) should be repaired at the same time. Use of the strongest sutures and controlled passive motion followed by controlled active motion prevent the majority of complications such as rupture, tendon adhesion and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contracture.
