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Reduced Pain and Edema Following Delayed Therapy for Flexor Tenolysis
Sarah Mart1, Nancy M Cannon1, Danielle Sparks1
1Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center, Indianapolis, IN.
Purpose:
Traditionally, therapy has been initiated 1 day after surgery following flexor tenolysis to prevent the development of early adhesions. Pain and edema are limiting factors in the initial days after surgery and can interfere with the opportunity to effectively initiate a home therapy program. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of delaying the initiation of therapy to 3 days post-op following flexor tenolysis.
Methods:
10 patients undergoing flexor tenolysis initiated therapy at 3 days post-op. Pain, edema, and range of motion were measured at baseline, day 3 post-op, day 12 ± 2, and weeks 3, 4, 8, and 12. Functional limitations and level of anxiety were assessed at the initial post-op visit, as well as week 4 and week 12.
Results:
Most range of motion improvements occurred in the first 2-3 weeks. Mean total active motion of the interphalangeal joints increased from 64.0° ± 24.9° at baseline to 142.5° ± 24.6° at 3 weeks post-op. Differences in interphalangeal joint total active motion were significant between baseline and 3 weeks, and these improvements were maintained through the 8-week follow-up visit. At 8 weeks post-op, five patients had excellent results, three had good, and two had fair, according to the Original Strickland Classification system.
Conclusions:
Early and effective management of pain and edema is critical to ensuring a positive outcome. Patients with less initial postoperative edema had better range of motion at 3 weeks post-op. Results were maintained through 8 weeks, and the patients required fewer therapy visits. Delaying the initiation of therapy to 3 days post-op following flexor tenolysis can yield favorable results and is safe for clinical practice.
Clinical Relevance:
This case series demonstrates that delaying initiation of therapy to 3 days post-op following flexor tenolysis can yield favorable results. Delaying therapy can mitigate the ill effects of surgery and allow reduction of pain and edema for improved range of motion and overall outcome.
