Tensions of the flexor digitorum superficialis are higher than a current model predicts

Abstract

Existing isometric force models can be used to predict tension in the finger flexor tendon, however, they assume a specific distribution of forces across the tendons of the fingers. These assumptions have not been validated or explored by experimental methods. To determine if the force distributions repeatably follow one pattern the in vivo tension of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendon of the long finger was measured in nine patients undergoing open carpal tunnel release surgery. Following the release, a tendon force transducer ( Dennerlein et al. 1997 J. Biomechanics 30(4), 395–397) was mounted onto the FDS of the long finger. Tension in the tendon, contact force at the fingertip, and finger posture were recorded while the patient gradually increased the force applied by the fingertip from 0 to 10 N and then monotonically reduced it to 0 N. The average ratio of the tendon tension to the fingertip contact force ranged from 1.7 to 5.8 (mean=3.3, s.d.=1.4) for the nine subjects. These ratios are larger than ratios predicted by current isometric tendon force models (mean =1.2, s. d. =0.4). Subjects who used a pulp pinch posture (hyper-extended distal interphalangeal joint (DIP)) showed a significantly ( p=0.02) larger ratio (mean=4.4, s.d.=1.5) than the five subjects who flexed the DIP joint in a tip pinch posture (mean=2.4, s.d.=0.6). A new DIP constraint model, which selects different force distribution based on DIP joint posture, predicts force ratios that correlate well with the measured ratios ( r 2=0.85).