Injuries of the Extensor Tendons of the Hand and Forearm

Extensor tendon injuries are commonly encountered after trauma. These injuries often result in acute weakness and have widely differing treatment options depending on the severity and the location of the injury within the upper extremity. Zone I injuries can often be treated nonoperatively with the potential for pinning of any large bony avulsion fragments. For zone II injuries, the tendons are often amenable to surgical repair with extension splinting for 6 weeks. Injuries at the central slip in zone III are often treated with closed extension splinting. In zone IV, these injuries are often treated similarly to those in zone II. Zone IV injuries without any extensor lag can often be treated nonoperatively with splinting; however, extension weakness is an indication for surgical repair. In zone V, the tendon is often substantial enough to hold sutures; however, because these injuries are often a result of a human bite wound, these are susceptible to more delayed repair or reconstruction following irrigation and débridement. Injuries in zone VI are often treated with direct repair as well as immobilization. More proximally, over the level of the wrist joint and up through to the forearm, these injuries are often treated with direct repair.