Primary flexor tendon repair followed by immediate controlled mobilization

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Hand Surgery
• Traumatology

Background:

• Flexor tendon injuries require prompt surgical intervention for optimal functional recovery.
• The zone of flexor tendon injury significantly impacts surgical outcomes and rehabilitation.
• Controlled mobilization is a key component of post-operative care for flexor tendon repairs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of immediate flexor tendon repair and controlled mobilization.
• To assess outcomes based on injury location, particularly in the critical "no man's land".
• To analyze the impact of patient demographics on functional recovery after flexor tendon repair.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 156 flexor tendon repairs in 68 patients over 18 months.
• Assessment of outcomes using standardized criteria (excellent, good, fair, poor).
• Follow-up examinations conducted 6 weeks to 18 months post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Overall, 75% of repairs in "no man's land" achieved excellent or good results.
• Repairs outside "no man's land" yielded excellent or good outcomes in 84.4% of cases.
• Younger patients (under 30) comprised a significant portion of the study cohort.

Conclusions:

• Immediate repair and controlled mobilization are effective for flexor tendon injuries.
• Outcomes in "no man's land" are comparable to other zones, though slightly lower.
• Early surgical intervention and appropriate rehabilitation are crucial for successful flexor tendon repair.