Rehabilitation outcomes after flexor tendon repair in the hand

Abstract

Following the repair of flexor tendons in the hand, there is difficulty in achieving satisfactory hand function.This puts out the importance of the rehabilitation program after the flexor tendon repair. This study reports the results of the rehabilitation program which was applied to 33 patients(68 digits) after flexor tendon repair in the hand.A treatment approach that combines early controlled passive motion and early controlled mobilisation was used.Patients were evaluated regarding the total active motion(TAM), grip strength, finger dexterity and the disability in daily living activities at the 24th week. TAM results were excellent in 21 %, good in 49%, fair in 19% and poor in 11% of the repaired digits in all zones. TAM results for zone 2 injuries were excellent in 5%, good in 70%, fair in 20% and poor in 5%. Crip strength results were good in 67%. TAM and grip strength results were comparable with the previous reports. Hand disability which existed in all patients before the rehabilitation program was found to appear mildly in 76% of the patients.Fin-ger dexterity was rated normal for 61% of the group after the therapy. We suggest that the evaluation of finger dexterity and hand disabilitytin daily living activities besides finger motion and grip strength, should also be taken into consideration during the rehabilitation phase with flexor tendon repair in the hand.