[Evaluation criteria in follow-up studies of flexor tendon therapy]

A comparison of results in flexor tendon repair is of value only if standard methods of measurement and recording are used. The function of the involved finger(s) can be judged by measurement of the distance between the finger tip and the distal palmar crease, the total maximum flexion at all three finger joints (composite flexion), the lack of extension as an aggregate of the minimum angles which can be achieved at each of the three finger joints (composite extension deficit), and the total amount of movement (composite flexion minus composite extension deficit). Each of these measurements graded according to a scale of values (table 2 and 3); the sum of these values gives a final classification (excellent, good moderate and poor). In a series of 157 follow-up examinations with 223 fingers with flexor tendon repair this method of recording the results of flexor tendon repair was evaluated.