Flexor pollicis longus (FPL): Elliot and associates reported higher rupture rates for FPL repairs than for flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) or flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) repairs among 233 patients treated with an early AROM protocol. More recently, Elliot and colleagues explained why the FPL rupture rate may be higher. Because the FPL glides alone within its sheath, fewer adhesions form during healing. The FPL also retracts proximally after laceration, making delayed repairs more difficult.