Rehabilitation of flexor tendon injuries by use of a combined regimen of modified Kleinert and modified Duran techniques.

Abstract

Kleinert (active extension, rubber-band passive flexion) and Duran (passive extension, passive flexion) protocols are two basic types of early motion programs for rehabilitation of flexor tendon injuries. Researchers have been working on various modifications or combinations of these two protocols to improve rehabilitation results. The purpose of this study was to analyze the quality of the functional results of flexor tendon repair after a postoperative regimen of early mobilization by use of a combined regimen of modified Kleinert and modified Duran techniques. Thirty-seven patients (74 digits) with repaired flexor tendon injuries were treated. Functional results of the fingers were evaluated by the Buck-Gramcko system and total active motion measurements. The results were excellent in 73% of the fingers, good in 24%, fair in 1.5%, and none was rated poor. Our results are comparable with the previous studies that used various postoperative rehabilitation techniques. This postoperative management provides an effective way of achieving satisfactory results. Patient-assisted passive exercises are very safe and more cost effective than therapist-assisted passive exercises.