[Surgery and rehabilitation of flexor tendons injuries in zone 1 and 2]

Abstract

Background: Prevention of adhesions that restrain tendon gliding is based on early mobilization techniques. Such approach, anyway, does not guarantee positive outcomes.

Methods: Seventy-five patients for a total number of 98 flexors tendons have been treated at the University Hospital of Messina between December 1993 and January 2000. Twenty-five patients, for a total number of 26 tendons, have been seen at follow-up. Seventeen lesions involved zone 2 and 9 involved zone 1. The modified Kessler suture has been generally used. All the repairs have been followed by an adequate early mobilization protocol, according to Kleinert (passive extension/active flexion) in nine patients and according to Risitano and Savage (active extension/active flexion) in 16.

Results: Minimum follow-up was 12 months. We present results with an assessment performed according to Strickland and to Elliot for lesion in zone 1 and according to Strickland and using Total Active Motion of the finger for lesions in zone 2.

Conclusions: The suturing technique and mobilization protocol did not affect results, but we made some considerations about respective advantages and disadvantages of either method.