Flexor Tendon Repair: Healing, Biomechanics, and Suture Configurations

Orthop Clin North Am. 2016 Jan;47(1):219-26. doi: 10.1016/j.ocl.2015.08.019.

Abstract

Successful outcome after flexor tendon repair requires a delicate balance between tendon healing and limiting scar tissue formation. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the number of core sutures crossing the repair and the benefits of specific suture configurations in determining the strength of tendon repair. Researchers have attempted to augment the biological environment to improve the speed and strength of tendon repair.

Keywords: Biological augmentation; Biomechanics; Flexor tendon; Growth factors; Suture configuration.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Fibrosis
  • Fingers / physiology*
  • Humans
  • NF-kappa B / physiology
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Sutures
  • Tendon Injuries / physiopathology*
  • Tendon Injuries / surgery*
  • Tendons / anatomy & histology
  • Tendons / pathology
  • Tissue Adhesions / prevention & control
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / physiology
  • Wound Healing / physiology*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • NF-kappa B
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta