Ligamentous laxity and scar formation.

The character of scar tissue is relative to or influenced by ligamentous laxity. Patients who are able to passively hyperextend the terminal interphalangeal joint of the index finger to 45 degrees and beyond have a tendency to leave broad scars. This proved to be statistically significance (p less than .001). It is suggested that in female patients in particular, assessment of the passive hyperextensibility of the terminal interphalangeal joint of the index finger can be used preoperatively to determine whether the patient will be left with a cosmetically displeasing scar following any operative procedure.