Flexor pollicis longus tendon repair: a comparison between dynamic and static splintage

A retrospective review of 51 patients with isolated flexor pollicis longus tendon repairs has been undertaken to determine the value of post-operative splintage. Evaluation by the Buck-Gramcko criteria confirms the benefit of controlled dynamic mobilisation. Overall, 44% of patients treated by immobilisation post-operatively achieved good or excellent results compared with 60% treated by dynamic traction. For repairs in zone 2, the results of mobilisation were significantly better, 62% achieving good or excellent results compared to 33% treated by fixed splintage.