Evaluation of early active controlled motion in flexor tendon repair

Objectives: to determine the results of early active controlled motion in the patients rehabilitated by our new protocol. Method: 91 fingers in 64 patients with flexor tendon repair in all zones , were enrolled in this single group (quasi experimental ) clinical trial. 58 fingers in 43 patients were assessed at least three months postoperatively. Outcomes were defined using ‘ white’ for thumb and ‘Strickland’ criteria for other fingers . Results: the results of 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 % ) tendon rupture postoperatively. Conclusion: Early active controlled motion with our rehabilitation protocol has acceptable results postoperatively . Rehabilitation protocol is better to be carried out from first to 4th week after surgery under supervision of surgeon or hand therapist . from 4th to 6th week, at hand therapy clinic and from 6th to 12th week at home supervised by hand therapist.