Pathological classification
| Type 1 | tendon retracts to palm, blood supply disrupted, tendon sheath scar |
| Type 2 | tendon retracts to proximal interphalangeal joint, flexor digitorum profundus is caught at chiasm of flexor digitorum superficialis |
| Type 3 | flexor digitorum profundus avulsion plus large osseous fragment. Bony fragment lodged at distal edge of A4 pulley |
Zonal classification
| Zone 1 | from fingertip to midportion of middle phalanx |
| Zone 2 | from midportion of middle phalanx to distal palmar crease |
| Zone 3 | from distal palmar crease to distal edge of carpal tunnel |
| Zone 4 | in carpal tunnel |
| Zone 5 | proximal to carpal tunnel |
Flexor digitorum profundus disruption classification
| Type I | flexor digitorum profundus retracts to palm |
| Type II | vincula vessels intact; a tether retracts flexor digitorum profundus |
| Type III | a large bony fragment catches on A4 or A5 pulley |
| Type IV | fractures at flexor digitorum profundus insertion, retraction permitted by separation of tendon from bone |