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longitudinal division of the tendon in the midline to create a ‘‘demi-tendon’ ’ which then passed easily through the pulley(s). transitional zone does not snag on the distal edge of the A2 pulley on full finger flexion. If this looks likely,PATIENTS AND METHODS Surgical technique Following incision of the skin by a modified Bruner incision, the tendon sheath is opened at the A3 pulley level. In the commoner type II FDP avulsion lesions, the distal end of the FDP lies at this level. In type I lesions, the distal end of the FDP is retrieved through a further palmar incision. In most type I lesions, the FDP tendon can be passed through the A2 pulley and FDS decussation to the A3 pulley level. In either type of presentation, if the tendon will not then pass through the A4 pulley (Fig 1), its end is resection of the distal one or two millimeters of the pulley will prevent this. In a small number of type I lesions, failure to draw the tendon distally from the palm is due to an oedematous tendon and not muscle retraction. Passage through the A2 pulley and FDS decussation, and free gliding through these structures postoperatively, can be achieved by the same technique of FDP splitting, but taken more proximally into the palm. This extension of the technique was used in one case in our series. Clinical material Over a 7-year period (1994–2000), six patients presented late with FDP avulsion injuries which could not beTHE FLEXOR DIGITORUM P