Early active mobilization after second stage flexor tendon grafts

We assessed the results of nine two-stage tendon reconstructions. The tendon graft was the ipsilateral palmaris longus tendon inserted into a tunnel which had been previously created by a silicone spacer. Early active mobilization was commenced 48 hours after surgery according to a previously described protocol (Small et al, 1989). Using the grading system of Kleinert and Verdan (1983) the results were: one excellent, two good, five fair and one poor. Using the Buck-Gramcko et al (1976) grading system there were three excellent, two good, two satisfactory and two poor results. There were no cases of tendon graft rupture or dehiscence of the junction between tendon and graft.