The extensor tendons are an important structure that supports movement of the fingers. They begin as muscles arising from the bones in the forearms and move toward the fingers. Specific to Felix’s injury the muscle affected is the extensor digitorum communis, it is the muscle in the posterior forearm It supports extension of the four fingers. Extensor digitorum minimi orginates on the lateral epicondyle and supports extension of the fifth digit (Orthopedic Patient Education Material, 2016).

 

The small intrinsic muscles (lumbricals and Interossei) are the muscles that start in the wrist. They help to guide movement of the fingers when they are positioned or when they need to maintain steady during various hand activities (Orthopedic Patient Education Material, 2016).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specific to a zone 5 injury, it is crucial to understand how the sagittal bands are impacted to help prevent lateral migration of the extensor digtorum communis tendon and subsequent metacarpophalangeal extension loss (Griffith, Hindocha, Jordan, Saleh & Khan, 2012). This could have implications in his ability to get back to engaging in previously meaningful occupations like swimming, basketball and typing at a faster rate.