INJURIES OF THE DORSAL EXTENSOR MECHANISM OF THE FINGERS

This Is another look at the troublesome problem of the recently divided extensor tendon insertions on the dorsum of the finger with failure to unite, which leads later to the familiar buttonhole (boutonnière) and “zig‐zag”, the mallet finger and swan‐neck distortions of fingers. Perhaps there has been in the past a tendency to emphasize the importance of surgical repair Instead of prevention of the late deformities which arise from some default in the primary management. The message here is that these unwanted deformities, so often figuring in the recent editions of classical textbooks on general surgery and special monographs on hand surgery, could be reduced in number by earlier recognition and adequate splinting of the fresh Injury.