Early active mobilization after flexor tendon repairs in zone two

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate an early mobilization regimen after 136 flexor tendon repairs in zone two in 82 patients. Postoperatively patients were managed by an early mobilization program, which incorporated immediate active flexion and extension. Results are based on both the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand (IFSSH) and the Strickland systems of evaluation. The results of long fingers and thumbs were analyzed separately. The results of the long fingers group were excellent (72.2%), good (26.0%) and fair (1.9%) according to Strickland's standards and were good (81.5%), fair (16.6%) and poor (1.9%) according to the IFSSH standards. The results of the thumbs group were excellent (96.4%) and fair (3.6%) according to Strickland's standards and were excellent (82.1%), good (14.3%) and poor (3.6%) according to the IFSSH standards. This study corroborates evidence that postoperative programs that incorporate early active flexion can produce good results after flexor tendon repair in zone two.