Objective To summarize the current research progress of finger flexion deformity caused by forearm flexor muscle lesions, providing a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods The domestic and international literature about finger flexion deformity caused by forearm flexor muscle lesions was extensively reviewed and a summary analysis from the etiology and pathogenesis, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and treatment methods was conducted. Results The three types of forearm flexor pathology leading to finger flexion deformity include Volkmann’s contracture, pseudo-Volkmann’s contracture, and congenital flexor muscle lesions with different pathogenesis. The diagnosis is mainly based on the patient's medical history, clinical features, and imaging examinations, with attention paid to differential diagnosis. Currently, conservative treatment for such deformities is not very effective, and surgical treatment is mainly adopted. According to the causes and severity, options such as resection of the contracture band, resection of contracture band, release of compressed muscle (tendon), and flexor origin muscle sliding surgery, could be performed to correct hand deformities and restore hand function, and thus resulting in favorable outcomes. Conclusion Volkmann’s contracture, pseudo-Volkmann’s contracture, and congenital flexor muscle lesions causing finger flexion deformity have different causes and pathogenesis, which can be distinguished by carefully inquiring about the medical history, the clinical characteristics of the three, and imaging examinations, thereby selecting appropriate treatment methods.
