Variations of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis As Determined by an Expanded Clinical Examination

Tan, Jane S.; Oh, Laura; Louis, Dean S.

doi:10.1016/j.jhsa.2009.01.002

Cited by 29 publications

(51 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…In performing this test, the examiner asks the subject to flex the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of the little finger alone while the other fingers were held extended by the examiner 1,6-9). The modified test,6-9) first described by Baker et al,7) was based on the standard test. In the modified test, the little and ring fingers were released to flex together to observe the improvement in the PIP joint flexion.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently Tan et al9) recommended a simple expanded Baker's examination technique, which involved a serial release of adjacent finger or multiple fingers to better define the variations of the FDS. However, these tests for FDS were performed with strong extraneous force holding the other fingers fully extended on the table, thus the diversionary effect may exist when there is an interconnection between two adjacent fingers.…”

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confidence: 99%

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A New Examination Method for Anatomical Variations of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis in the Little Finger

et al. 2013

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BackgroundCurrent examination methods to assess the anatomical variations of flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendon in the little finger necessitate a strong external force applied by the examiner and cause false negatives. A new examination method was designed to detect the variations more accurately.MethodsWe examined the little fingers of 220 adult hands (110 subjects) by 2 methods: the expanded examination method advocated by Tan et al., and a new examination method. Variations of the FDS in the little finger were examined by both methods and categorized separately as having independent FDS function, FDS connection to the tendons of the ring finger or of the multiple adjacent fingers, and functional substitution of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) with or without tendinous connection to the ring or multiple adjacent fingers. By our new method, we could further divide the FDS connection or FDP substitution with connection to the ring finger into 2 subtypes: loose and close connections. Data were reported as case numbers and percent. Date on symmetry were statistically analyzed by matched case-control studies.ResultsAmong 220 hands, 113 hands (51.4%) had independent FDS function by the new examination method, which was lower than the incidence (55.5%) detected with the existing expanded examination method. In the hands with connections between FDS tendons of the little and the ring fingers, 32 hands (14.5%) demonstrated loose and 37 (16.8%) close connections. Three hands (1.4%) had loose and 19 (8.6%) had close FDP substitution with tendinous connection to the ring finger. Among 110 hands without independent FDS function, variants of 42 hands (38.2%) were asymmetric. There was no statistical significance in symmetry of variations.ConclusionsThis new examination method offers other assessment variations of FDS tendon in the little finger. We recommend using this test to assess the variations and function of the FDS of the little finger.

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A New Examination Method for Anatomical Variations of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis in the Little Finger

et al. 2013

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“…Another study, in contrast, found that there was no significant difference seen in grip strength between subjects who had an FDS-V and those who did not(11). Despite the wide variability of the presence of and the conflicting information as to the functional impact of the FDS-V, current clinical examination techniques are inadequate to discriminate among the possible variations or absence of FDS(12). There are also several muscle tendon variations that have been described in the flexor compartment of the forearm and, interestingly, most variations were related to the fifth finger(12).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite the wide variability of the presence of and the conflicting information as to the functional impact of the FDS-V, current clinical examination techniques are inadequate to discriminate among the possible variations or absence of FDS(12). There are also several muscle tendon variations that have been described in the flexor compartment of the forearm and, interestingly, most variations were related to the fifth finger(12). It is possible that the hand is evolving to either have decreased incidence of FDS-V or, more likely, it is possible that the incidence of FDS-V in humans will continue to increase in order to perform fine tasks (e.g., playing the piano or typewriting) or with precise range of motion, as humans often do in the modern environment.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypotheses for ongoing evolution of muscles of the upper extremity

2014

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“…2,3 Of all the muscles, variations of the flexor digitorum longus muscle are said to be one of the commonest in man. 4 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accessory belly of flexor digitorum superficialis - case report of a rare variant

et al. 2015

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Variations of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis As Determined by an Expanded Clinical Examination

Cited by 29 publications

References 19 publications

A New Examination Method for Anatomical Variations of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis in the Little Finger

A New Examination Method for Anatomical Variations of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis in the Little Finger

Hypotheses for ongoing evolution of muscles of the upper extremity

Accessory belly of flexor digitorum superficialis - case report of a rare variant

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