Absent Ring Finger Flexor Digitorum Profundus Presenting as a Jersey Finger

Area of Science:

• Hand surgery
• Congenital anomalies
• Musculoskeletal anatomy

Background:

• The flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon is crucial for finger flexion.
• Avulsion injuries, or jersey finger, typically involve FDP tendon rupture.
• Congenital absence of tendons is rare but documented.

Observation:

• A patient presented with symptoms suggestive of acute jersey finger of the ring finger.
• Intraoperative findings revealed the complete absence of the ring finger FDP tendon.
• Associated anomalies included the absence of the ring finger lumbrical muscle and the A5 pulley.

Findings:

• Postoperative imaging confirmed the congenital absence of the ring finger FDP tendon.
• This is the first reported case of absent FDP tendon specifically affecting the ring finger.
• The study highlights a unique presentation of congenital tendon anomaly.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of congenital variations in hand anatomy.
• It suggests a need to consider congenital absence in the differential diagnosis of apparent tendon avulsions.
• Further research into abnormal flexor tendon connections may elucidate developmental pathways.