Effects of delayed therapeutic intervention following zone II flexor tendon repair

The importance of the timing of therapeutic intervention to the results of zone II flexor tendon repairs was retrospectively studied. Twenty-two patients were categorized as having had either early intervention (referral within the first postoperative week) or delayed intervention (referral between 1 and 3 weeks postoperatively). Patients followed a combined Kleinert/Duran program. Patients' results were calculated according to Strickland's formula for total active range of motion. In the early intervention group, 60% of the results were excellent and 40% were good; there were no fair or poor results. In the delayed intervention group, 50% of the results were excellent, 25% were good, 17% were fair, and 8% were poor. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. However, these results are clinically significant because a fair or poor result would reduce the patient's use of the affected digit and could lead to further surgical intervention.