Avulsion of the flexor digitorum profundus: anatomic and biomechanical considerations

J Hand Surg Am. 1988 Mar;13(2):222-7. doi: 10.1016/s0363-5023(88)80053-4.

Abstract

Avulsion of the profundus insertion occurs most commonly in the ring finger. The exact reason for this predilection is unknown. Clinical observation of patients with this injury reveals that a common finding is that the ring fingertip is usually more prominent or "longer" than any other fingertip during grip. A laboratory investigation shows that during grip the ring fingertip becomes 5 mm more prominent than any other digit in 90% of subjects and that it absorbs more force than any other finger during pull-away testing. These factors contribute to the susceptibility of the ring finger to the profundus avulsion injury.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Finger Injuries / physiopathology*
  • Fingers / anatomy & histology
  • Fingers / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscles / anatomy & histology
  • Muscles / injuries*
  • Muscles / physiopathology
  • Reference Values