THE first recorded flexor tendon rupture in the hand was that of a flexor pollicis longus and was reported by Von Zander in 1891.1 In 1922 Grassheim studied 500 cases of muscle and tendon ruptures and listed the following ruptures in order of frequency: muscles of the calf, extensors of the leg, biceps, achilles tendon, and extensor of the thumb.2 There was no mention of finger flexors. In 1932 McMaster reported a case of rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon three months after a colles fracture.3 This appears to have been the first such case reported in the literature.
In 1935 Haldeman and Soto-Hall analyzed 100 injuries to muscles and tendons.4 They added to the list of frequently ruptured muscles and tendons, supraspinatus, triceps, rectus abdominis, thigh abductors, and finger extensors. Three finger flexor ruptures were listed but not discussed.
In 1956 Bunnell reviewed 18