{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,14]],"date-time":"2026-07-14T10:36:13Z","timestamp":1784025373556,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":14,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","issue":"6","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,21]],"date-time":"2026-03-21T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1774051200000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["J Hand Surg Eur Vol"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,6]]},"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The balance of the finger is maintained through a complex interaction of intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that coordinate motion, stability and force transmission across the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. Although flexor muscle mass exceeds that of the extensors, equilibrium is achieved through precisely calibrated tendon positioning, lever arms and passive restraints. This balance permits efficient motion with minimal energy expenditure and allows rapid transition between power and precision function.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Physiological balance:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Active balance is generated by coordinated action of extrinsic flexors and extensors with intrinsic modulators, including the interossei and lumbricals, which regulate tendon tension and joint sequencing. Passive stabilizers including the palmar plate, collateral ligaments, sagittal bands, annular pulleys and retinacular ligaments maintain tendon alignment, optimize lever arms and prevent subluxation. Balance modulation is provided by Landsmeer\u2019s ligament and Winslow\u2019s diamond, and the camshaft and hypomochlion effects further refine interphalangeal coordination and stability. Disruption of any component alters tendon vectors and joint moments, producing predictable deformity patterns including clawing, boutonni\u00e8re, swan-neck deformity and bowstringing.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Restoration of balance:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Restoration of balance requires more than structural repair. Successful management depends on correcting bony alignment, restoring joint mobility and reconstructing soft-tissue relationships to re-establish physiological force distribution. Surgical options include tendon transfer, intrinsic release, pulley reconstruction, centralization procedures and nerve reconstruction, dependent on underlying pathology.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Finger function depends on finely tuned balance of intrinsics and extrinsics. Understanding the dynamic and passive stabilizing mechanisms is essential for diagnosing imbalance and for planning reconstructive strategies that restore movement.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Level of evidence:<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>V. Narrative review.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1177\/17531934261427638","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,21]],"date-time":"2026-03-21T10:13:19Z","timestamp":1774087999000},"page":"698-707","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["The balanced finger: biomechanics of intrinsic and extrinsic systems and principles of reconstruction"],"prefix":"10.1177","volume":"51","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9949-9419","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Martin F","family":"Langer","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Hand and Microsurgical Unit, Clinic for Trauma, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinic M\u00fcnster, Germany"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Esther","family":"V\u00f6gelin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Hand and Peripheral Nerve Surgery, Plastic and Hand Surgery, Inselspital, University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,21]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_2_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0894-1130(12)80324-3"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_3_1","unstructured":"Brand PW Hollister A. Clinical mechanics of the hand 2nd edn. St Louis MO Mosby Year Book 1993."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_4_1","first-page":"197","article-title":"Die Ruptur der Dorsalaponeurose am ersten Interpalangealgelenk, zugleich ein Beitrag zur Anatomie und Physiologie der Dorsalaponeurose","volume":"23","author":"Hauck G.","year":"1923","unstructured":"Hauck G. Die Ruptur der Dorsalaponeurose am ersten Interpalangealgelenk, zugleich ein Beitrag zur Anatomie und Physiologie der Dorsalaponeurose. Arch klin Chir. 1923, 23: 197\u2013232.","journal-title":"Arch klin Chir"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1053\/jhsu.1999.jhsu24a0064"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2106\/00004623-196345080-00007"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_7_1","first-page":"273","article-title":"Differentialdiagnostik von Funktionsst\u00f6rungen der Beugesehnen","volume":"65","author":"Langer M.","year":"2005","unstructured":"Langer M. Differentialdiagnostik von Funktionsst\u00f6rungen der Beugesehnen. Chir Praxis. 2005\u20132006, 65: 273\u2013300.","journal-title":"Chir Praxis"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00132-015-3158-0"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_9_1","first-page":"3","volume-title":"Arthroplasty in hand surgery. FESSH instructural course book 2020. Stuttgart, Thieme","author":"Langer MF","year":"2021","unstructured":"Langer MF, Warwick D, Unglaub F, Gr\u00fcnert J. The anatomy and functional importance of finger joints. A short atlas. In: Schindele S, Giddins G, Bellem\u00e8re P (Eds.) Arthroplasty in hand surgery. FESSH instructural course book 2020. Stuttgart, Thieme, 2021: 3\u201320."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/S0268-0033(99)00058-3"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.hcl.2011.09.002"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jhsa.2012.03.004"},{"key":"e_1_3_2_13_1","first-page":"147","volume-title":"The hand, Vol. IV. Saunders","author":"Tubiana R.","year":"1993","unstructured":"Tubiana R. Chapter 12: Paralysis of the extensors of the wrist, thumb, and proximal phalanges. Chapter 13: Paralysis of the thumb. Chapter 14: Paralysis of the intrinsic muscles of the fingers. In: Tubiana R (Ed.) The hand, Vol. IV. Saunders, Philadelphia, London, Toronto, 1993: 147\u2013298."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_14_1","unstructured":"Woodhall B Beebe GW. Peripheral nerve regeneration: a follow-up study of 3 656 World War II injuries. US Government Printing Office Washington 1956."},{"key":"e_1_3_2_15_1","unstructured":"Zancolli EA. Structural and dynamic bases of hand surgery 2nd edn. Lippincott Philadelphia Toronto 1979."}],"container-title":["Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume)"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/17531934261427638","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/17531934261427638","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/17531934261427638","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,29]],"date-time":"2026-05-29T05:48:29Z","timestamp":1780033709000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/17531934261427638"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,21]]},"references-count":14,"journal-issue":{"issue":"6","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,6]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1177\/17531934261427638"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/17531934261427638","relation":{},"ISSN":["1753-1934","2043-6289"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1753-1934","type":"print"},{"value":"2043-6289","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,21]]}}}