Early mobilization after flexor tendon grafting for isolated profundus tendon lesions

After reconstruction of a flexor profundus tendon with a free graft passed through or around an intact superficialis decussation, impaired function may result if adherences develop. In an attempt to avoid adherences, early mobilization using Kleinert's method was applied in 20 grafts. At follow-up, on average 36 months after operation, all the patients had improved ROM except one patient with tendinous infection one year postoperatively. On average the gain in DIP-joint flexion was 34 degrees, while six patients had a loss of 17 degrees and 12 patients a gain of 22 degrees in PIP-joint motion. Only nine patients required a few weeks of occupational therapy. It is concluded that early mobilization a.m. Kleinert after tendon grafting is a safe method for prevention of loss of PIP-joint motion due to the formation of adherences.