Table 1. Functional FDS variants in the small finger noted on examination.

	Independent functiona	Common functionb	Absent functionc
Total (200 fingers)	135 (67.5%)	24 (12.0%)	41 (20.5%)
Right (100 fingers)	67	11	22
Left (100 fingers)	68	13	19

FDS: flexor digitorum superficialis.

^a The small finger can flex actively at the PIP joint by the standard FDS test.

^b The release of the adjacent ring finger (the modified FDS test) allows an increase in PIP flexion of the small finger.

^c The small finger is unable to flex actively at the PIP joint by the modified FDS test.