The effect of flexor sheath integrity on nutrient uptake by primate flexor tendons.

The effect of flexor sheath excision versus sheath incision and repair on the uptake of 3H-proline by profundus tendons in zone II was examined. Proline uptake was measured at 7 days in eight monkeys with intact flexor tendons (group I) and at either 3 or 7 days in eight monkeys with the tendons transected and repaired (group II). In both groups, the flexor sheaths of the digits of the right hand were excised, whereas those of the left hand were incised and repaired. For both the intact and the transected and repaired flexor tendons, it was found that 3H-proline uptake was not improved with sheath closure. The extracellular tissue fluid appeared to be capable of providing nutrients to the tendon in amounts equal to that of the synovial fluid. Therefore, closure of the sheath after primary flexor tendon repair does not appear to be necessary for tendon nutrition, according to the data obtained from experimental studies on the nonhuman primate.