Index of Excursion of Van't Hof and Heiple for Outcome After Injury to the Flexor Tendon of a Finger

 

Parameters:

(1) distance between the pulp of the pad on the distal phalanx and the palm in inches at maximum flexion (measured as the length of a line drawn perpendicular to the line through the finger pad drawn parallel to the phalangeal bone)

(2) vertical distance between the tip of the finger and the horizontal (full extension to 180 degrees) in inches

 

index of excursion =

= (distance on maximum flexion) + (distance at maximum extension)

 

Interpretation:

• minimum index: 0

• maximum index: > 6 inches

 

Index in Inches	Index in Centimeters	Outcome
<= 1 inch	<= 2.54 cm	good
1.01 to 2 inches	2.55 to 5.08 cm	fair
2.01 to 3 inches	5.09 to 7.62 cm	poor
> 3 inches	> 7.62 cm	failure