[Traumatic rupture of flexor tendons. Apropos of 12 cases]

Traumatic rupture of flexor tendons is uncommon. The authors report on twelve cases. The ulnar fingers, especially the ring finger (5 cases), are the most frequently involved. Isolated rupture of the flexor profundus tendon (10 cases), usually at the level of the distal phalanx (9 cases), is the most common lesion. In two cases, both the superficialis and profundus tendons of the little finger were involved. Rupture usually occurs because of severe hyperextension or opposed flexion; more rarely it results from direct trauma. The mean age of patients (male for the most part) was 35 years old. Transosseous reinsertion (5 cases) was performed in acute cases for ruptures of the flexor profundus tendons. When seen secondarily, and according to the functional impairment encountered, the authors performed as follows: one case of arthrodesis, two cases of excision of the profundus with tenolysis of the sublimis, and two cases of tendon grafts. Functional results are good when repair of the rupture is performed within the first few days after injury.