Current practice patterns of flexor tendon rehabilitation

The rehabilitation of persons with repaired lacerations of their finger flexor tendons requires a precise therapeutic approach. But optimal therapy is often difficult to ascertain, given the plethora of postoperative regimens published in the scientific literature. The purpose of the survey was to describe current and historical practice patterns of therapists rehabilitating intrasynovial flexor tendon repairs. Key elements were identified as surgical suture, protocol, initiation of therapy, frequency of therapy visits, initiation of active motion, discharge protective splint, initiation of resistance, proximal interphalangeal joint flexion contracture, outcomes, rupture, and general attitudes. One hundred and ninety-one therapists completed the survey. Findings suggest that Kleinert-type and Duran-type regimens are widespread. Active finger flexion is initiated at a mean of 18.6 days postoperatively. Nearly 30% of respondents utilize early active finger flexion exercise within the first postoperative week. Current practice patterns regarding the timing of the initiation of key elements vary from those reported in the literature.