Preliminary assessment of flexor tendons contribution in required finger joint motion: a novel research method

Pulley system is a series of intermittent ligaments along the flexor side of the digit. The function and biomechanics of pulley system has been well demonstrated. It plays a critical role in hand function, supports accurate tracking route of the tendon, and maintains apposition of the tendon to bone in order to reduce a bowstring phenomenon and ultimately raise arcs of joint motion per unit of tendon excursion. Most of research methods were founded in an open system and investigated on the kinetics and kinematics changes of individual flexor tendon. There was no clearly demonstration about synchronized and continuous excursion change between fl exor digitorum superfi cialis (FDS) and fl exor digitorum profundus (FDP). This study created a novel research model, a synchronized close system, to investigate biomechanical changes in normal pulley system and to assess characteristic excursion relationship between FDS and FDP in individual and combined joint motion.