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Range of Motion Following Flexor Tendon Repair: Comparing Active Flexion and Extension With Passive Flexion Using
Markus Renberg1, Jonas Svingen1, Marianne Arner2
1Department of Hand Surgery, Plastic Surgery, and Burns, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden; Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
Purpose:
This study aimed to compare the outcome in terms of range of motion between early active flexion and extension (early active motion, [EAM]) and passive flexion using rubber bands followed by active extension (sometimes referred to as a Kleinert regimen) after flexor tendon repair in zones 1 and 2.
Methods:
Data were collected from the Swedish national health care registry for hand surgery (HAKIR). Rehabilitation regimens were decided by the preference of each caregiver. At 3 months, 828 digits (656 EAM and 172 passive flexion) and at 12 months, 448 digits (373 EAM and 75 passive flexion) were available for analysis. Thumbs were analyzed separately.
Results:
No notable difference in total active motion was found between the groups at 12 months of follow-up.
Conclusions:
This large registry study supports the hypothesis that EAM rehabilitation may not lead to better range of motion long-term than passive motion protocols.
Type Of Study/Level Of Evidence:
Therapeutic IV.
