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. 2015 Oct-Dec;28(4):347-54; quiz 355.
doi: 10.1016/j.jht.2015.04.002. Epub 2015 Apr 14.

Effect of wrist and interphalangeal thumb movement on zone T2 flexor pollicis longus tendon tension in a human cadaver model

Patricia O Rappaport  1 , Andrew R Thoreson  1 , Tai-Hua Yang  1 , Ramona L Reisdorf  1 , Stephen M Rappaport  2 , Kai-Nan An  1 , Peter C Amadio  3
Affiliations

Effect of wrist and interphalangeal thumb movement on zone T2 flexor pollicis longus tendon tension in a human cadaver model

Patricia O Rappaport et al. J Hand Ther. 2015 Oct-Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Therapy after flexor pollicis longus (FPL) repair typically mimics finger flexor management, but this ignores anatomic and biomechanical features unique to the FPL.

Purpose of the study: We measured FPL tendon tension in zone T2 to identify biomechanically appropriate exercises for mobilizing the FPL.

Methods: Eight human cadaver hands were studied to identify motions that generated enough force to achieve FPL movement without exceeding hypothetical suture strength.

Results: With the carpometacarpal and metacarpophalangeal joints blocked, appropriate forces were produced for both passive interphalangeal (IP) motion with 30° wrist extension and simulated active IP flexion from 0° to 35° with the wrist in the neutral position.

Discussion: This work provides a biomechanical basis for safely and effectively mobilizing the zone T2 FPL tendon.

Conclusion: Our cadaver study suggests that it is safe and effective to perform early passive and active exercise to an isolated IP joint.

Level of evidence: NA.

Keywords: Biomechanics; Cadaver; Flexor pollicis longus; Hand therapy; Human; Thumb.

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