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Hand & Upper Limb
intermediate
X-Type

Extensor Tendon Zones and Injuries

Tendon Injuries

A 30-year-old man presents after a knife laceration to the dorsum of his hand at the level of the MCP joint. He has loss of finger extension at this joint but intact IP extension. Examination reveals a 70% partial laceration of the extensor tendon. You are planning surgical repair and discussing the extensor tendon zone system and treatment principles with a trainee. Regarding extensor tendon zones and injuries:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The extensor tendon zone system (Kleinert-Verdan) divides the hand and fingers into 8 zones for digi...

B

Zone I injuries (DIP level) result in mallet finger - loss of active DIP extension with intact passi...

C

Even zones are over joints; Zone I is at the MCP level; Zone V is at the DIP; mallet finger affects ...

D

Zone V (MCP level) injuries may still have IP extension from intrinsic muscle function through the l...

E

Post-operative rehabilitation varies by zone: distal zones (I-III) benefit from static splinting pro...

Answer the questions to see explanations

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