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Published byLionel Horn Modified over 9 years ago
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Extensor Tendon Injuries: ED Management and Follow-up
Jon Friesen, CCFP-EM Resident Guest Consultant: Dr. Earl Campbell May 16, 2002
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outline why extensor tendon injuries? anatomy injury zones
basic principles…what’s the evidence? extensor tendon zone i-vi injuries: ED management, splinting, and follow-up hand OT/PT resources in Calgary
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why extensor tendon injuries?
acute injuries we see and initially manage initial rx NB to hand functional outcome poorly described in EM texts and literature hit and miss in clinical education/practice do we really know what we’re doing?
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how good are we? one study (!!) that examines follow-up of extensor tendons done by EM docs Evans JD; 1995 EM housestaff in UK repaired 65 extensor tendon lacs follow-up within 6 mos. re: functional outcome results (as per Miller system): 80% good to excellent results in proximal injuries vs. 18% good to excellent results in distal injuries weaknesses: unconventional splinting of distal injuries, poor physio f/u, small numbers conclusion: we don’t know how we’re doing!
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why anatomy matters complex anatomy different from flexors
role of juncturae role of paratenon EDM, EIP extrinsics vs. intrinsics
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why anatomy matters digits are v. complex! clinical relevance
disruption of anatomy at one joint has consequences for function of adjacent joints initial management very important to injury outcome
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Verdan’s zones of injury
each zone has: particular injuries variations in acute management different splinting requirements not all extensor tendon injuries are the same!!
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what about suture material?
based on experience and expert opinion absorbable vs. non-absorbable synthetics non-absorbs most often used, but may cause knot irritation at site of repair absorbs less prone to producing knot irritation, but ? strength size:
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suture techniques? little data re: extensor tendon repairs
may be more important as dynamic splinting becomes “en vogue” in extensor injuries Newport ML and CD Williams; 1992 compared simple mattress, figure-of-eight, Kessler, and Bunnell suture techniques Bunnell and Kessler stronger, but not much difference with regards to tendon shortening or decreased ROM difficult to apply to all extensor tendon injuries!
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suture techniques Bunnel suture advantages: disadvantages: strong
time constraints technical skills need good tendon cross-sectional area
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suture techniques Kessler suture advantages: disadvantages: strong
time constraints technical skills need good tendon cross-sectional area
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suture techniques horizontal mattress suture advantages:
easy to do, even on thinner tendons disadvantages: decreased strength
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suture techniques? practicality in the ED: general guidelines:
time constraints limited opportunity to use new techniques barbaric equipment for fine repairs in the ER general guidelines: zones i-v: figure-of-8, horizontal mattress zone vi, thumb extensors: Kessler, Bunnel
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incomplete lacerations
flexor tendon studies: studies suggest that 0 repair and early mobilization produces comparable outcomes to conventional rx in Zone II injuries applicable to extensor injuries? what zones? recommendations based on expert opinion: lacs<30-50%, wound closure and splint for shortened period w/early mobilization lacs>30-50%, repair and treat as complete all partial zone i-v injuries should be repaired? variable amongst surgeons
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shredded ends important to consider in injuries where primary tendon repair is indicated fine trimming acceptable excursion of extensors < flexors overzealous trimming results in: undue wound tension post-suturing flexion loss during rehabilitation general rule: if gap not breachable, or undue tension on wound distorts anatomy, refer to plastics for repair/tendon grafting
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what about antibiotics?
little evidence specific to simple tendon lacs ACEP Guidelines: abx indicated for both hand and tendon lacs Stone JF, 1998 retrospective review of 140 pts w/simple flexor lacs timing to repair and abx not associated w/increased infx can these results be extrapolated to extensor repair? surgeon dependent absolute indications: bites, crush injuries, associated open fractures, joint capsule disruption
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zone 1: mallet finger common injury closed vs. open in ed goal of rx:
<10 degrees extension lag good flexion prevention of swanneck deformity
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mallet finger: who to refer
closed: tendon avulsion with bony fragment involving >30% of the articular surface associated w/volar distal phalanx subluxation or # associated w/transepiphyseal plate # in kids swanneck deformity active pts: refer for k-wire fixation open: abrasion w/tendon erosion associated w/open #
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closed mallet finger classification: ed management:
type 1: distal extensor mechanism rupture, no fracture type 2: tendon avulsion w/ small bony fragment of distal phalanx type 3: tendon avulsion with bony fragment involving >30% of the articular surface ed management: dorsal/volar splint w/DIP extension; PIP free x 6w important to emphasize NO DIP FLEXION splint care: remove daily to avoid skin erosion
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closed mallet finger early vs. delayed presentation for closed injuries: Garberman et al.; 1994 small study of 40 pts with closed mallet finger, ½ with early (<2w), ½ w/delayed (>4w) 0 change in outcomes with regards to extensor lag, rx of dorsal lip #s <30%, or splint type conclusion: splinting equally effective in both implication: we can manage both in the ed
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open mallet finger ed management:
tendon suture vs. skin closure and splint if suturing: use figure-of-8, keep in mind tendon is friable suture tendon and skin in one bite suture removal in 10-12d splinting as for closed injuries
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mallet finger: f/u & OT/PT
continuous splint x 6w at 6w, begin guarded DIP flexion flex DIP 10-20x q1h 20-25 degrees for 1st week if no lag after 1st week, 35 degrees and progress as limited by pain if lag, reapply splint x 2w night splinting x 2w
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what about mallet thumb?
extremely rare due to thickness of EPL tendon closed: management identical to mallet finger for closed deformities open: clean lacs should be sutured as described for open mallet finger follow-up and OT/PT as for mallet finger
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zone 2: middle phalanx injuries
most injuries are either partial lacs/crush injuries referral criteria similar to open mallet suture technique: lateral bands are very friable and difficult to suture suture type: figure-of-8 epl on thumb: use core-type suture splinting and follow-up as for mallet finger wound care and splinting x 7-10d for partial lacs <50%
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zone 3: the PIP worst prognosis of extensor tendon injuries
closed vs. open in ed consider central slip and lateral bands goal of rx: maximize flexion and extension, prevention of Boutonniere deformity
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closed zone 3: clinical pearls
central slip rupture is not a simple dx! have high degree of suspicion if: pip extensor lag >15-20 degrees while MCP and wrist in full flexion decreased strength to resistance or pain to pip extension tenderness over pip and appropriate mechanism of injury may present with acute Boutonniere deformity need to assess laxity of lateral bands via passive PIP extension assess PIP stability!
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closed zone 3: who to refer
displaced avulsion # at base of middle phalanx axial/lateral instability of PIP ie. post-reduction of volar dislocation irreducible volar dislocation Boutonniere deformity not correctable by passive PIP extension time to rx less important than joint laxity
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closed zone 3 injuries ed management: continuous splint x 6w
volar splint with DIP and MCP free to move when splint removed, PIP MUST BE HELD IN EXTENSION splint care: remove daily to avoid skin erosion
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closed zone 3 injuries if associated volar dislocation:
reduce by applying traction w/MCP and PIP in full flexion if this fails, try adding in wrist extension for extensor relaxation reassess PIP stability
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open zone 3: clinical pearls
anatomy is complex!! high degree of suspicion for joint capsule penetration in lacs over PIP look closely for lateral band lacs lacs rarely involve entire dorsal apparatus failure to repair may result in Boutonniere deformity
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open zone 3: who to refer distal central slip stump too short for tendon suturing abrasion w/tendon erosion associated w/open # lateral band laceration?? PIP joint capsule penetration??
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open zone 3 injuries: ed rx
wound irrigation and exploration is NB lacs require suturing suture technique: figure-of-8 suture type: 5.0 non-absorbable/absorbable suture lateral bands as well
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open zone 3 injuries splinting as for closed injuries antibiotics
if lateral bands lacerated, splint DIP for 4w antibiotics use if joint capsule penetration present
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zone 3 injuries: f/u & OT/PT
much more complex than DIP, get hand physio involved at 6w at 6w: exercises 10-20x q1h active PIP extension w/MCP in flexion to encourage intrinsic extension gentle active flexion (to pain) w/wrist and MCP extension reapply splint between hand physio sessions if extensor lag develops, decrease flexion and reapply splint
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zone 3 injuries: f/u & OT/PT
at 8w continue active flexion, gentle resistance applied splint at night or d/c splint at 10w increase resistance exercises progress to full grasp
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zone 3 thumb injuries: the MCP
may involve EPB and/or EPL closed: rare injuries: refer to plastics for management open: thicker tendons; use Kessler suture for open lacs repair both EPB and EPL splint with CMC neutral, MCP 0 degrees, and IP 0 degrees complex OT/PT: refer for follow-up
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zone 4 injuries: proximal phalanx
tendon is very broad at this level lacs tend to be partial if 0 loss of extension, splint as for PIP x 3-4w and then begin active motion suture complete lacs may be able to use Kessler suture treat as for PIP lacs, but mobilize at 3-4w b/c of higher degree of “scarring down” at this zone f/u and OT/PT as for PIP injuries thumb injuries: rx as for zone 3 thumb injuries
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zone 5: the MCP consider importance of dorsal hood and sagittal bands in addition to tendon closed vs. open injuries open injuries are considered “fight bite” until proven otherwise
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closed zone 5 injuries are rare and usually due to a crush mechanism over the MCP classic: tendon dislocation and relocation with passive extension suspect sagittal band/dorsal hood disruption when painful flexion at MCP occurs who to refer: all injuries ed management: splint w/MCP in extension at place of tendon relocation leave other MCPs free to move
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open zone 5: who to refer fight bite
sagittal band/dorsal hood involvement may repair if comfortable with anatomy associated open fractures tendon abrasions
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open zone 5: fight bite early presentation: ie. non-infected
irrigation and exploration required if any disruption of joint capsule/tendon, start abx and refer to plastics if underlying structures OK, start abx and ensure close f/u in 24-48h wound closure in 5-7d post-abx abx prophylaxis: clavulin x 5d splint: as for other zone 5 lacs
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open zone 5: ed rx irrigation and wound debridement
tendon is thick at this point ends tend not to retract suture material: 4.0 nonabsorbable suture techniqure: Kessler suture vs. figure-of-8
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open zone 5: ed rx what about dorsal hood lacs?
need to be repaired to prevent central tendon subluxation what about sagittal band lacs? need to be repaired for same reason
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open zone 5: splinting tendon lac:
splint wrist in degrees extension, MCPs 20 degrees flexion, and IPs in 0 degrees time: 4-5w isolated dorsal hood/sagittal band lac: avoiding abduction/adduction exercises is key buddy tape adjacent finger begin flexion/extension in 3-5 days
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open zone 5: f/u & OT/PT static splinting x 4w at 4w:
may take off IP splint to allow mobility periodically hand physio NB!! at 4w: gentle active extension at MCP alternating flexion of MCP and IPs wrist extension and flexion to neutral splint worn b/t sessions, IPs now free
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open zone 5: f/u & OT/PT at 5w: at 7w:
claw postion to encourage extrinsic extension intrinsic + to stretch collateral ligaments alternate finger and wrist flexion night splinting only, unless extensor lag persists at 7w: resisted exercises
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open zone 5: thumb what about thumb zone 5? ed rx: splint: f/u and pt:
involves CMCJ, EPB and/or APL also consider radial artery/nerve branch lacs ed rx: refer if APL avulsed off bone repair as for zone 5 digit injuries splint: thumb in extension and moderate abduction f/u and pt: refer to hand physio
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zone 6 injuries better prognosis than injuries to distal counterparts
open injuries prevail who to refer: associated w/open #s, crush injuries significant tendon retraction infection
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zone 6 injuries ed rx: splinting: f/u & OT/PT
tendon is well formed and thick suturing as for zone 5 lacs splinting: as for zone 5 lacs f/u & OT/PT
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hand resources: OT & PT FHH hand clinic Lindsay Park (2 hand pts)
(403) ask to speak to a hand pt to book patient Lindsay Park (2 hand pts) (403) must indicate you want a hand pt to reception and they will book for you
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hand resources: OT & PT PLC RVH (403) 291-8785
ideally they want pt seen by plastics 1st RVH (403) Ph (403) Fax fill out form, refer from ED OT/PT will contact pt based on priority can refer from peripheral center as well
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hand resources: OT & PT what about kids? ACH (403) 229-7912 Ph
(403) Fax fill out form, refer from ED OT/PT will contact pt w/i 48h
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