The Effect of Gap Formation at the Repair Site on the Strength and Excursion of Intrasynovial Flexor Tendons. AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE EARLY STAGES OF TENDON-HEALING IN DOGS*

Our data indicate that, in a dog model involving sharp transection followed by repair, a gap at the repair site of more than three millimeters does not increase the prevalence of adhesions or impair the range of motion but does prevent the accrual of strength and stiffness that normally occurs with time.