[Hand function after surgery for flexor tendon injuries]

Flexor tendon injuries are difficult to treat and the postoperative results have traditionally been poor.

The article presents postoperative results (11-22 months) after surgical treatment of injured flexor tendons at Stavanger University Hospital. 32 injuries in 30 patients met the inclusion criteria; 23 of these patients responded to letters and telephone contacts. A physician and a hand therapist followed up 20 of the patients with a clinical examination and three were just interviewed by telephone. The results were evaluated according to joint movement, grip strength, occupational history and patient satisfaction.

11 of 17 patients achieved excellent or good results according to Stricklands's classification of joint movement. 18 of 20 patients had a grip strength of more than 90% in the injured hand compared to that in the non-injured hand. 13 of 23 patients reported their hand function to be excellent or good; no one reported a negative occupational change after the operation.

Treatment of flexor tendon surgery in the hand requires experienced surgeons and a well-organized post-operative rehabilitation protocol with dedicated hand and/or physical therapists. This study confirms that grip strength is less affected than joint movement after flexor tendon surgery.