Results Of Flexor Tendon Repair Research Articles

Evaluation of the role of unconjugated hyaluronic acid repetitive injection during the primary repair of flexor tendons in no man’s land: a randomized control trial

Zone 2 flexor tendon injuries are prone to poor results following repair due to adhesions. Different repair methods and physiotherapy protocols have been devised to improve outcomes, with variable results. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a polysaccharide produced by the innermost layer of the tendon sheath that facilitates gliding in zones where the sheath is continuous. Sixty-two flexor tendons that were repaired using a double-stranded core suture were divided between groups A (n = 32) and B (n = 30). In the former, non-cross-linked HA was repeatedly instilled at the repair site, with a total of three injections per digit. The repair outcomes were assessed using the Strickland criteria, the ratio of total active motion to total passive motion (TAM/TPM), and active range of motion (AROM) for individual joints. A total of 31.1% of group A patients had excellent to good outcomes in contrast to 13.3% in group B. The mean difference in TAM was 105° in group A and 71° in group B (p value ˂ 0.05). The mean TAM/TPM was 0.65 in group A and 0.56 in group B (p value = 0.06). HA significantly improves the results of flexor tendon repair in zone 2. Level of Evidence: I.

Clinical Results of Flexor Tendon Repair in Zone II Using a six Strand Double Loop Technique.

The purpose of this study is to report the clinical results after repair of flexor tendon zone II injuries utilizing a 6-strand double-loop technique and early post-operative active rehabilitation. We retrospectively reviewed 22 patients involving 51 cases with zone II flexor tendon repair using a six strand double loop technique from September 1996 to December 2012. Most common mechanism of injuries was sharp lacerations (86.5%). Tendon injuries occurred equally in manual and non-manual workers and were work-related in 33% of the cases. The Strickland score for active range of motion (ROM) postoperatively was excellent and good in the majority of the cases (81%). The rupture rate was 1.9%. The six strand double loop technique for Zone II flexor tendon repair leads to good and excellent motion in the majority of patients and low re- rupture rate. It is clinically effective and allows for early postoperative active rehabilitation.

Improving results of flexor tendon repair and rehabilitation.

The global time and effort attributed to improving outcomes in the management of flexor tendon injury are large, but the degree of advancement made over the past 50 years is relatively small. This review examines the current perceived wisdom in this field and aims to explore the limitations to the authors' understanding of the tendon healing process, examining how this may be a factor that has contributed to the authors' modest progress in the field. The authors critically evaluate the sum of laboratory and clinical literature on the topic of zone II flexor tendon management that has guided their practice and provide evidence to support their methods. The review highlights some of the key developments over the years and assesses their influence on changing current practice. It also highlights recent innovations, which have the potential to influence flexor tendon outcomes by altering the surgical approach, techniques, and rehabilitation regimens. Future innovations in the field will also be discussed to examine their potential in expanding the development in the management of flexor tendon injury. A better understanding of flexor tendon biology will allow progress in developing new therapies for flexor tendon injuries; however, there are as yet few real breakthroughs that will dramatically change current practice.

The growth factors involved in flexor tendon repair and adhesion formation

Flexor tendon injuries remain a significant clinical problem, owing to the formation of adhesions or tendon rupture. A number of strategies have been tried to improve outcomes, but as yet none are routinely used in clinical practice. Understanding the role that growth factors play in tendon repair should enable a more targeted approach to be developed to improve the results of flexor tendon repair. This review describes the main growth factors in tendon wound healing, and the role they play in both repair and adhesion formation.

Functional outcome of flexor tendon repair of the hand at Zone 5 and post operative early mobilization of the fingers

Objective : There are few reports on outcome following flexor tendon repair of the hand in zone 5. We hypothesized that early mobilization of the fingers is possible if the suture site of repaired tendon is strong enough. The aim of this study was to assess the results of flexor tendon repair in this zone using modified Kessler method reinforced by peripheral running suture and a post operative early active and passive mobilization of the fingers. Methodology: This prospective study was carried out between April 2006 and Feb 2010, and 171 digits flexor tendons cut in 42 patients were repaired by modified Kessler technique reinforced by running peripheral suture. Early active mobilization and gentle passive motion of the fingers was allowed in a dorsal wrist splint the day after surgery. Wrist Immobilization was performed for one month. Function of the tendons was assessed by Buck-Gramcko score at nine month follow up. Results: Mean age of the patients was 25.4 years (range 17-46 y). Twenty nine flexor policis longus, 77 flexor digitorum superficialis and 65 flexor digitorum profundus tendons of digits were repaired. Middle and index fingers were most commonly involved. Median and ulnar nerve repair was done in 17 and 12 cases respectively. Good to excellent results were seen in of 79.34% of FPL and 74.65% of other finger flexors. One case of FPL rupture was seen. Tenolysis of FDS was performed in one case. Recovery in thenar muscle function was good, fair and poor in 5, 2 and 10 cases after median nerve repair, while all 12 patients with ulnar nerve lesion showed some degrees of clawing of 4th and 5th fingers. Conclusion : Most patients following flexor tendon repair at zone 5 obtained good results. Early motion of the fingers seems to improve outcome in these patients. Concomitant nerve cut in particular of ulnar nerve were associated with a high rate of poor results.

Effects of a Lubricin-Containing Compound on the Results of Flexor Tendon Repair in a Canine Model in Vivo

Effects of a Lubricin-Containing Compound on the Results of Flexor Tendon Repair in a Canine Model in Vivo

Effects of a Lubricin-Containing Compound on the Results of Flexor Tendon Repair in a Canine Model in Vivo

Tendon surface modification with a synthetic biopolymer, carbodiimide-derivatized hyaluronic acid and gelatin with the addition of lubricin (CHL), has been shown to reduce gliding resistance after tendon repair in an in vitro model. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether CHL would reduce adhesion formation and improve digital function after flexor tendon repair in a canine model in vivo. Sixty dogs were randomly assigned to either a biopolymer-treated group (n = 30) or an untreated control group (n = 30). The second and fifth flexor digitorum profundus tendons from each dog were lacerated fully at the zone-II area and then repaired. Passive synergistic motion therapy was started on the fifth postoperative day and continued until the dogs were killed on day 10, day 21, or day 42. The repaired tendons were evaluated for adhesions, normalized work of flexion, gliding resistance, repair strength, stiffness, and histological characteristics. The normalized work of flexion of the repaired tendons treated with CHL was significantly lower than that of the non-CHL-treated repaired tendons at all time points (p < 0.05), and the prevalence of severe adhesions was also significantly decreased in the CHL-treated tendons at day 42 (p < 0.05). However, the repair failure strength and stiffness of the CHL-treated group were also significantly reduced compared with those of the control group at days 21 and 42 (p < 0.05) and the rate of tendon rupture was significantly higher in the treated group than in the control group at day 42 (p < 0.05). Treatment with the lubricin-containing gel CHL appears to be an effective means of decreasing postoperative flexor tendon adhesions, but it is also associated with some impairment of tendon healing. Future studies will be necessary to determine if the positive effects of CHL on adhesion formation can be maintained while reducing its adverse effect on the structural integrity of the repaired tendon.

Flexor Tendon Reconstruction

Successful flexor tendon repair has narrowed the indications for flexor tendon grafting. Flexor tendon grafting is the preferred method of treatment for patients with neglected digital flexor tendon lacerations and after the failure of flexor tendon repair. Improvements in tendon repair methods and in aftercare methods have improved the outcomes after flexor tendon grafting. Future improvements in tissue engineering may also improve the results of flexor tendon repair.

Chemoprotection of Flexor Tendon Repairs Using Botulinum Toxin

After flexor tendon repair, tendon gapping or rupture may be replaced by joint stiffness and poor function. After surgical repair of injured flexor tendons, botulinum toxin type A was injected into the forearm flexor muscles. This selectively decreased the force of muscle contraction. During this period of partial muscle denervation, patients could generate enough force to allow for early active mobilization (with its attendant benefits) but insufficient force to induce gapping or rupture of the repaired tendon. Eighteen adult patients with zone 2 flexor tendon injuries (34 digits) were studied prospectively for up to 3 years. Tendons were repaired using the modified Kessler technique and marked with stainless steel wire. Botulinum toxin was injected into the appropriate proximal flexor muscle belly under localizing electromyographic control. A matched cohort consisted of 53 patients (104 digits). Results were assessed according to range of joint motion (Kleinert and Verdan criteria) and electromyographic and radiologic studies. Ninety-four percent had excellent results and 6 percent of digits had good results. There were no patients with fair or poor results. Average active range of motion was 244 degrees at 18 months. No gapping or ruptures occurred and no tenolyses were required. The control group of matched controls (modified Kessler repair; no botulinum injection) showed that 81 percent of digits had excellent results, 6 percent had good results, 8 percent had fair results, and 6 percent had poor results. Botulinum toxin injection statistically significantly improves the results of flexor tendon repair. The authors have termed this technique "chemoprotection" of flexor tendon repairs.

Clinical Results of Flexor Tendon Repair in Zone II Using a Six-Strand Double-Loop Technique Compared with a Two-Strand Technique

The clinical and functional results of 46 patients who underwent zone II flexor tendon repair using the Lim/Tsai technique combined with the Kleinert/Duran early active mobilisation regime and place and hold exercises were assessed. The results were compared with 25 patients who were treated by the modified Kessler technique and the Kleinert/Duran regime alone. After a follow-up of 8 to 17 weeks, the Lim/Tsai group had a better grip strength and a significantly better total active motion of 141 degrees compared with 123 degrees . The rupture rates (Lim/Tsai: 1/51; Kessler: 3/26) and the extension deficits were not statistically different in the two groups. However, the complication rate was significantly lower and the average time of treatment was significantly shorter in the Lim/Tsai group. These results support the use of the Lim/Tsai six-strand repair technique in zone II flexor tendon injuries and early active mobilisation without rubber-band traction.

Early Results of Flexor Tendon Repair in Zone II With Modified, Four-Strand Strickland Technique

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The Scientific Basis for Advances in Flexor Tendon Surgery

During the last 40 years, there has been an enormous amount of basic scientific research designed to improve our knowledge of the structure of tendons, the biomechanics of their action, their biologic response to injury and repair, the mechanical characteristics of various tendon suture methods, and the effect of postrepair motion stress on tendon strength and healing. These investigative efforts have given rise to improved methods of tendon repair and protocols for the early application of passive and active wrist and digital motion as a means to more rapidly increase the strength and gliding of repaired tendons. The surgical techniques of hand surgeons and the rehabilitation protocols of hand therapists have improved enormously from these scientific efforts and the results of flexor tendon repair have become much more reliable. This article attempts to review many of the important scientific reports dealing with flexor tendons that have been published during the last three-plus decades and indicate how those works have improved our management of these difficult injuries.

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

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.

Results of flexor tendon repair of the hand by the motion-stable wire suture by Towfigh.

We compared the motion-stable wire suture by Towfigh (MSWST) with a modified Kessler suture (MKS) by following up flexor tendon repairs (MSWST, n = 21/39 digits; MKS, n = 20/31 digits). For MSWST we found 31 (79.5%) "excellent", 3 (7.7%) "good", and 5 (12.8%) "fair" results, when using the scoring system of Buck-Gramcko. In 3 (14.3%) patients the MSWST had to be removed owing to local irritation. In a further 3 (14.3%) patients, this was done when secondary tenolysis was necessary. The latter was also performed in 4 (20.0%) patients in whom the MKS was used. Here we found 23 (74.2%) excellent, 7 (22.6%) good, and 1 (3.2%) fair result. The statistical evaluation of the data concerning the patients' age, sex, the involved zone, the side, and the functional outcome did not reveal a significant difference (P < 0.05) between both groups and the chosen type of repair. The results of MSWST and MKS are similar, but MSWST allows early motion therapy without a splint or rubber-band protection.

Primary flexor tendon repair

Restoring digital function after flexor tendon injury continues to be one of the great challenges in hand surgery. Advances in our understanding of tendon anatomy, nutrition, healing, and postoperative rehabilitation have generated an evolution of techniques that have enhanced the results of flexor tendon repair. Despite the many gains, problems of stiffness, scarring, and functional impairment persist in frustrating the most experienced hand surgeons and compliant patients. Treatment of flexor tendon injuries requires a thorough knowledge of hand anatomy, atraumatic surgical technique, and a structured program of postoperative rehabilitation.

Methods of evaluation of the functional results of flexor tendon repair of the fingers

The methods used by Buck-Gramcko, Kleinert and Tsuge in evaluating the functional results of flexor tendon repair were each applied to assess the functional outcome in sixty-seven fingers where both tendons had been severed in "no man's land". The method of Buck-Gramcko gave the highest rating, and the three methods showed evident differences in the results of evaluation after surgery. The study suggests a need for one standard method of measurement and recording, if a comparison of results after flexor tendon repair is to be of value. We found that the method of Buck-Gramcko incorporated the most essential features in the functional evaluation.