Evaluation of Early Active Controlled Motion in Flexor Tendon Repair

The objective was to determine the results of early active controlled motion in the patients rehabilitated by our new protocol. 91 fingers in 64 patients with flexor tendon repair in all zones were enrolled in a single group (quasi-experimental) clinical trial. 58 fingers in 43 patients were assessed at least three months postoperatively. Outcomes were defined using the ‘White’ criteria for thumbs and the ‘Strickland’ criteria for other fingers. The results for range of motion of fingers were Excellent in 70.7%, good in 13.8%, fair in 6.9% and poor in 8.6%. There were 3 (5.17%) postoperative tendon ruptures. Early active controlled motion with our rehabilitation protocol shows acceptable postoperative results. This rehabilitation protocol is more effective if carried out from the 1st to 4th weeks after surgery, under the supervision of a surgeon or hand therapist. Then, from the 4th to 6th weeks, it should be performed at a hand therapy clinic and from the 6th to 12th weeks at home, supervised by a hand therapist.