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Effect of hand dominance on functional outcomes in paediatric patients with flexor tendon injuries: A cross-sectional
Canan Sanal-Toprak1, Okan Yigit2, Zeynep Kuzu3
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University Pendik Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Insights
Children with flexor tendon injuries in their dominant hands show better functional outcomes. Injuries to non-dominant hands result in poorer outcomes, suggesting active use influences recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Hand Surgery
- Rehabilitative Medicine
Background:
- Limited data exists on short- to mid-term outcomes for pediatric flexor tendon injuries.
- Understanding functional recovery in children is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate short- to mid-term functional outcomes in pediatric patients with flexor tendon injuries.
- To determine if the side of the injury (dominant vs. non-dominant hand) impacts functional results.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of pediatric patients undergoing primary flexor tendon repair.
- Assessment of demographic and clinical characteristics, including Modified Hand Injury Severity Score.
- Bilateral hand assessments: sensory (monofilament test), motor (grip/pinch strength), and functional (Jebson Taylor Hand Function Test).
Main Results:
- 44 pediatric patients (16 female, 28 male; median age 13) were evaluated.
- Significant differences noted in grip strength, pinch strength, and sensory tests between injured and healthy hands.
- Jebson Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) scores were similar for injured dominant hands compared to healthy dominant hands (P=.935).
- JTHFT scores were significantly worse for injured non-dominant hands compared to healthy non-dominant hands (P=.01).
Conclusions:
- Pediatric patients with dominant hand flexor tendon injuries exhibit better short- to mid-term functional outcomes.
- Active use of the injured dominant hand in daily activities may contribute to improved functional recovery.
Introduction:
There are limited data in the literature about the short- to mid-term results of children with flexor tendon injuries. We aim to evaluate the short- to mid-term functional outcomes of children with flexor tendon injuries and to disclose whether the injured side affects the results.
Materials And Methods:
Patients who had undergone primary flexor tendon repair were included in the study. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. Modified Hand Injury Severity Score was calculated for each patient. Sensory, motor and functional assessments of the bilateral hand were performed.
Results:
A total of 44 patients (female = 16, male = 28) with a median age of 13 (6-17) were evaluated. Significant differences between the affected and healthy hands of the patients in terms of grip and pinch strengths and monofilament sensory test results were demonstrated while the Jebson Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT) scores were similar. No factor other than the injury side was found to be related to the affected hand functions. In patients with dominant hand injuries, JTHFT results of the affected hands were similar to the results of healthy dominant hands (P = .935). However, JTHFT results were found to be worse in the affected non-dominant hands compared to healthy non-dominant hands (P = .01).
Conclusion:
This study demonstrated that paediatric population with flexor tendon injuries in their dominant hands has better short- to mid-term functional outcomes. These results may be attributed to use their injured dominant hand more actively in daily activities.
