Flexor profundus injuries treated with delayed two-staged tendon grafting

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Hand surgery
• Reconstructive surgery

Background:

• Flexor profundus tendon injuries often present late, posing challenges for surgical repair.
• Delayed treatment can lead to significant functional deficits in the hand.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of delayed two-stage tendon grafting for flexor profundus avulsions or severances.
• To assess functional outcomes, including range of motion and grip strength, after this reconstructive procedure.

Main Methods:

• Eleven patients with injuries older than 6 weeks underwent delayed two-stage tendon grafting.
• A total of twelve profundus tendon grafts were performed on young, motivated male patients.

Main Results:

• Total active motion improved significantly, from an average of 166 degrees to 244 degrees.
• Eight patients experienced substantial improvements in grip strength.
• Complications included one graft rupture requiring repair and two tenolyses.

Conclusions:

• Delayed two-stage tendon grafting is a viable option for restoring function in chronic flexor profundus injuries.
• The procedure yields positive outcomes in terms of active motion and grip strength, despite potential complications.