ABSTRACT
Most flexor tendon and nerve injuries are caused by a glass or knife injury to the volar side of the hand. An open flexor tendon injury is often accompanied by nerve injury. Examine the individual flexor tendons. Examine the target area of the nerve that may be intersected. Test the sensibility of both the ulnar and radial side of the injured finger. Compare this with a non-affected side. In children one can stroke the finger with a pen. In case of crush injury and/or a suspicion of a tendon avulsion an X-ray in PA and lateral direction should be obtained. Nerve injuries should be repaired with microsurgical techniques and magnification. Although all nerve injuries are repaired, this is a decision that must be taken by the hand surgeon on the basis of a number of factors: which nerve, which finger, which hand, and the age and profession of the patient.
