POSTOPERATIVE THERAPY I. Zones I and II: Formal repair at this level is difficult because of the size and nature of the terminal tendon in the digits. Newport advocated tenodermodesis as the most reliable method of repair. In this technique, the skin and tendon are sutured as a single layer. A transarticular Kirschner wire is frequently used to supplement the repair and is left in place for 6 weeks. The repair is also protected via splinting. For therapy after K-wire removal, refer to management of mallet finger injury in Chapter 21.