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OrthoVellum

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Not affiliated with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Hand & Upper Limb
intermediate
X-Type

Extensor Tendon Injury Zones

Tendon Injuries

A 32-year-old carpenter presents with a laceration over the dorsum of his left middle finger at the level of the proximal interphalangeal joint. He is unable to extend the PIP joint and there is a visible gap in the extensor mechanism. The wound was sustained 8 hours ago while handling sheet metal. Regarding extensor tendon injuries:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Extensor tendons are divided into zones: Zone I (DIP joint), Zone II (middle phalanx), Zone III (PIP...

B

Zone I injuries (terminal tendon at DIP) cause mallet finger - loss of active DIP extension with int...

C

Even zones are over joints; Zone I is at the MCP joint; mallet finger causes inability to flex the D...

D

Zone III injuries (central slip at PIP) lead to boutonniere deformity if untreated: PIP flexion (los...

E

Zone V injuries (over MCP) may involve the sagittal band which stabilizes the extensor tendon centra...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option