Comparison of early passive motion and immobilization after flexor tendon repairs

Thirty-one flexor tendon repairs in 30 patients managed by early passive motion were retrospectively compared with 31 flexor tendon repairs in 30 patients managed by 3 weeks of postoperative immobilization. Repairs were performed by several surgeons, including plastic surgical residents. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups comparing age, zone of injury, number of tendons repaired, nature of injury, or associated injuries. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups when total active and total passive range of motion were compared for repairs in zone I, zone II, zones III and IV, and all zones combined. In the early passive motion group in zone II, there were 12 percent excellent results, 15 percent good results, 23 percent fair results, and 50 percent poor results. In the immobilization group, there were 18 percent excellent results, 8 percent good results, 23 percent fair results, and 53 percent poor results. There was no significant difference between the two groups (p less than 0.05).