Flexor Tendon Injuries Of Hand Research Articles

A human acellular dermal matrix coated with zinc oxide nanoparticles accelerates tendon repair in patients with hand flexor tendon injuries in zone 5 of the hand.

Flexor tendon injuries are common and require surgery. Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is a natural graft used to repair tissues, though infections represent the primary cause of its therapeutic failure. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were coated on the ADM in order to add antibacterial potential as well as enhance healing properties. Also, the produced ADM/ZnO-NPs graft was applied to accelerate fifth zone flexor tendon repair following the reconstructive surgery. Morphological, mechanical, cell viability, and antibacterial tests were performed to evaluate the physical and biological properties of the fabricated ADM/ZnO-NPs graft. For clinical evaluations, 20 patients with a flexor tendon injury in zone 5 were randomly divided into control and treatment with ADM/ZnO-NPs groups (n=10 each). The control group had routine reconstructive surgery, while the other group received the ADM/ZnO- NPs graft during their surgery. Postoperative functional outcomes were evaluated 4, 6, and 8 weeks following the tendon repair surgery according to the Buck-Gramcko II criteria. The ADM/ZnO-NPs had natural derm specifications as well as dense and integrated morphology with intermediate antibacterial properties. According to the Buck- Gramcko II criteria, the postoperative functional outcome scores were significantly higher in the ADM/ZnO-NPs group in comparison with the control group at 4 (P<0.01), 6 (P<0.01), and 8 (P<0.001) weeks after the surgery. The present findings revealed that the ADM/ZnO-NPs graft can accelerate the healing of the damaged tendon without common post-operative functional complications and adhesions following the tendon repair surgery. However, more comprehensive clinical trials are still needed.

Restoring Function of the Flexor Tendons of the Hand: State of the Science in Kazakhstan.

We conducted a literature review to highlight the diagnosis and treatment of hand flexor tendon injuries and discuss the current state of the science of hand surgery in the Republic of Kazakhstan. We reviewed the Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, and National Center for Biotechnology Information databases and other printed sources for open access articles in three languages. We accepted relevant scientific articles that reflected the peculiarities of restoring function of the tendon flexors of the hand. We reviewed articles from the present to the previous 20 years and included 31 of these sources in our literature review. The medical examination of a patient who has sustained a flexor tendon injury should be thorough and gradual, supported by ultrasound and X-ray examination. For effective restoration of hand function following a hand injury, it is important for the surgeon to conduct a step-by-step assessment of the damage that has occurred to soft tissues, superficial and deep tendons, bones, nerves, and blood vessels. The main goal of tendon repair is to preserve tendon function. It is also known that early postoperative tendon movement leads to faster healing. The most frequent complications associated with flexor tendon repair include the development of adhesions, wound infection, tendon rupture, impaired hand function, and scar formation. Relative to the state of the science in the Republic of Kazakhstan, we conclude that hand surgery should be performed by highly skilled specialists in the field of microsurgery in a specialized department with microsurgical equipment.

Hand Flexor Tendon Repair

Tendon biology and anatomy are crucial to manage hand flexor tendon injuries, not only for surgical treatment but also for rehabilitation; surgeon and physical therapist have to choose zone by zone the best way to manage and restore the normal function of hand flexor tendons.

A Survey of Zone II Flexor Tendon Repair Techniques and Rehabilitation Protocols Preferred by Malaysian Orthopaedic Practitioners.

Introduction:Flexor tendon repair is challenging mainly due to the need to balance between a strong repair technique, ease of tendon gliding and early mobilisation to prevent adhesions while preventing tendon rupture. While different countries have different preferences in repair techniques, core sutures and suture types, there is still no study in Malaysia regarding our preference and whether we are following the current evidence.Materials and methods:We performed a survey with a standard questionnaire distributed during our annual national orthopaedic meeting in 2019. The standard questionnaire consisted of 24-objective multiple-choice questions concerning the treatment of flexor tendon injury were distributed with consent. A total of 290 questionnaires that were filled out correctly were included in this study.Results:The majority of respondents preferred the Modified Kessler technique (n=96, 33.1%) followed by the Adelaide technique (n=81, 27.9%) and Double Modified Kessler (n=45, 15.5%). However, for the number of core strands in the repair, the majority utilised the 4-strand (n=203, 70%), followed by 2-strand (n=34, 11.7%) and 6-strand (n=21, 7.2%). The majority utilised Prolene sutures (n=259, 89.3%) with a suture size of 4/0 (n=157, 54.1%). For rehabilitation, 56.9% (n=165) preferred early passive motion, 27.6% (n=80) early active motion and 14.8% (n=43) would strictly immobilise.Conclusion:There is still no consensus as to the best technique; however, the aim of tendon repairs is still the same around the world. It would be helpful to know our preferences to improve our current practice and outcomes following these common flexor tendon injuries in hand.

The Effect of Text Message-based Support Program (TextRehab) on Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Hand Flexor Tendon Injuries after Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial Study Protocol.

Post-operative rehabilitation for patients with flexor tendon injuries is necessary for a full recovery. This randomized controlled trial study investigates the effectiveness of a text message-based rehabilitation program (i.e., TextRehab) on the improvement rate of hand rehabilitation in patients with flexor tendon injuries after repair. This study is designed as a randomized, three-month, single-center, two-arm, parallel controlled trial. A total of 40 patients will be randomly classified as either the control or intervention group. Both groups receive usual care; however, the intervention group is also asked to perform the designed rehabilitation activities through the TextRehab program. The activity instructions are sent to patients step by step at least once a day. Self-reported outcomes will be assessed at 6 and 12 weeks after discharge and include self-reported Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation, self-reported Quick-Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand, and Visual Analogue Scale. Moreover, the reports of the physician regarding the grip strength and Total Active Motion will be assessed at week 12. The development of the message scheduling system and its contents is completed. This trial has the code of ethics in research (removed due to blinding issues). Study results are expected to be available in mid-2021. The TextRehab program is developed to provide advice, motivation, information, and care for patients with hand flexor tendon injuries after repair. This trial provides evidence of the effectiveness of sending text messages on persuading patients to perform home-based rehabilitation activities.

Functional outcomes of a modified Duran postoperative rehabilitation protocol after primary repairs of pediatric hand flexor tendon injuries.

The objective of this study was to determine whether pediatric patients undergoing flexor tendon repair who underwent 4 weeks of immobilization followed by a modified Duran controlled passive motion rehabilitation protocol will have favorable outcomes. A study was performed at a tertiary pediatric hospital of patients <18 years who underwent primary flexor tendon repairs in zones 1-4. Outcomes were calculated by total active motion and classified by the original Strickland criteria or Buck-Gramcko criteria. Twenty-eight patients with 34 injured fingers were included. Mean age was 11.4 years (range 2.4-17.9) with 17 males (61%) and 11 females (39%). Thirty-five percent of injuries occurred in zone 1; 35% zone 2; 6% zone 3; and 24% zone 4. All underwent a modified Duran postoperative rehabilitation protocol following a period of immobilization. The majority of patients achieved favorable outcomes, with 86% of cases classified as good/excellent. Thirty (88%) cases received surgery acutely (within 3 weeks). Of these, 70% achieved excellent outcomes, 17% good, and 13% fair. Four (12%) chronic cases underwent primary repair (range 24-68 days), achieving excellent outcomes in 50%, good in 25%, and fair in 25%. Three (75%) patients with delayed primary repair exhibited stiffness, which was greater than the 17% of patients with acute repairs ( P = 0.03). Approximately 1 month of immobilization followed by a modified Duran rehabilitation protocol leads to favorable outcomes in children with flexor tendon repairs. Children with delayed surgery (>3 weeks) who underwent primary repair generally still achieved good outcomes but were more likely to have stiffness. Level of evidence: III.

Ordinary PVC feeding tube: A low-cost alternative to silicon rod for staged flexor tendon reconstruction in zone II of hand

BackgroundStaged flexor tendon reconstruction is most appropriate treatment for delayed zone II flexor tendon injuries of hand. The Hunter’s silicon rod used in this procedure is costly and not simply available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results using PVC feeding tube as a cheaper and readily available alternative. Materials and methodsthis study include 6 patients(8 digits) were treated by the staged flexor tendon reconstruction using PVC feeding tube for first stage followed by tendon graft in second stage and the patients were followed for mean period of 6 months. ResultsExcellent results were seen in 5 digits and good results in 3 digits, according to both LaSalle system and Strickland-Glogovac grading system. ConclusionsPVC feeding tube is a cost effective, simply accessible and an effective alternative to Hunter’s silicon rod for staged flexor tendon reconstruction.

Developments in suture techniques of hand flexor tendon injuries during the last fifteen years

In the reconstruction of hand flexor tendon injuries it is fundamental to select the best suture technique, which makes possible early, active postoperative mobilization and achievement of the best results. The author reviews the development of suture techniques of the flexor tendon injuries during the last fifteen years, and discusses experimental tendon reconstruction results as well as clinical outcomes. The author describes the importance of different tendon suture materials, the significance of the pulley system of the fingers, the stretching between the sutured tendon ends by tendon sutures and, finally, the importance of the moving course in the reconstructed tendon. He states, that the wide-range adoption of the discussed modern tendon sutures would be necessary for better postoperative results.

Rehabilitation outcomes in patients with early and two-stage reconstruction of flexor tendon injuries.

[Purpose] The primary aim of this study was to assess rehabilitation outcomes for early and two-stage repair of hand flexor tendon injuries. The secondary purpose of this study was to compare the findings between treatment groups. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-three patients were included in this study. Early repair (n=14) and two-stage repair (n=9) groups were included in a rehabilitation program that used hand splints. This retrospective evaluated patients according to their demographic characteristics, including age, gender, injured hand, dominant hand, cause of injury, zone of injury, number of affected fingers, and accompanying injuries. Pain, range of motion, and grip strength were evaluated using a visual analog scale, goniometer, and dynamometer, respectively. [Results] Both groups showed significant improvements in pain and finger flexion after treatment compared with baseline measurements. However, no significant differences were observed between the two treatment groups. Similar results were obtained for grip strength and pinch grip, whereas gross grip was better in the early tendon repair group. [Conclusion] Early and two-stage reconstruction of patients with flexor tendon injuries can be performed with similarly favorable responses and effective rehabilitation programs.

Psychometric characteristics of Duruoz Hand Index in patients with traumatic hand flexor tendon injuries

Introduction. The aim of the study was to assess reliability, validity and responsiveness of Duruoz Hand Index (DHI), which has been developed for evaluation of activity limitation in rheumatoid arthritis in patients with traumatic hand flexor tendon injuries.Material and method. Sixty-five patients older than 16 years who underwent surgical intervention after flexor tendon injuries were enrolled. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency (with Cronbach's-α) and test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was estimated correlating the scale with the DASH and VAS-hd. Also responsiveness was estimated using standardised response mean (SRM) and effect size (ES).Result. Mean age of the patients was 30.25 ± 11.07 years and totally 140 fingers were evaluated. Cronbach's-α and ICC values of DHI were found to be 0.87 and 0.99, respectively. In validation study, highly significant correlation was detected between DHI with DASH and VAS-hd (r == 0.86, r == 0.54, p < 0.0001, respectively). SRM values and ES values (excepting workplaces subgroup score) were higher than 0.80 for total and all subgroup scores.Conclusion. DHI is a reliable, valid questionnaire to assess hand-related activity limitation in patients with traumatic hand flexor tendon injuries. Also, due to its high level responsiveness DHI can be used for assessing the clinical course of the traumatic hand flexor tendon injured patient.

Rupture of the Flexor Digitorum Profundus Tendon Caused by Closed Blunt Trauma

Rupture of the flexor tendon due to closed direct trauma is rare ( 1 Hofmeister E.P. Craven Jr, C.E. Zone I rupture of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon caused by blunt trauma: a case report. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2008; 33: 247-249 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar ). Generally, flexor tendon injuries are diagnosed easily. However, pain, swelling, a closed wound, and non-cooperation can make the diagnosis more difficult ( 2 Wang P.T. Bonavita J.A. DeLone Jr, F.X. et al. Ultrasonic assistance in the diagnosis of hand flexor tendon injuries. Ann Plast Surg. 1999; 42: 403-407 Crossref PubMed Scopus (30) Google Scholar ).

Recherche sur les facteurs influençant la durée de l'arrêt de travail dans les réparations des tendons fléchisseurs de la main

The purpose of this study is to analyse the relationship between the social and economical consequences, after repair and rehabilitation of the hand flexor tendon injuries, and to prove that it is not related to local factors. All the patients who underwent surgery for at least one flexor tendons injury of one or several long fingers, between the years 2003-2004 were included in this study. Information regarding the data was taken from the patient file. Statistical tests were used for analysing these data. Significant first rate factors related to the length of sick leave are the chaotic professional history (P=0.03), the type of occupation (P=0.01) and the age (P=0.0002). A significant second rate factor is represented by the type of mobilization/retraining (P=0.04). Sex, side of injury, finger injured, zone of injury, associated damages, did not significantly influence the results of this study. The environmental factors determine the length of sick leave more than the characteristic of injury in hand flexor tendons surgery.