Sports Physiotherapy

  Flexor tendon injuries represent some of the most challenging clinical scenarios in hand therapy. Because the tendons responsible for curling the fingers into the palm operate within a complex system of tight pulleys and narrow sheaths, any disruption can lead to significant functional loss. Successful recovery depends on a delicate balance: the repair must be protected to prevent rupture, yet movement must be initiated early enough to prevent dense scar tissue from "gluing" the tendon to its surrounding structures. Understanding the Anatomy of a Flexor Tendon Injury The flexor tendons, primarily the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), originate in the forearm and travel through the carpal tunnel into the hand. A flexor tendon injury often occurs due to a deep laceration, though "jersey finger" an avulsion injury where the tendon is torn from the bone during athletic activity is also common. When a tendon is severed, the mus...