title: Controlled motion rehabilitation after flexor tendon repair and grafting. A multi-centre study.
abstract: We present a system for treatment by controlled motion after repair of flexor tendons in the hand. This Washington regimen incorporates both controlled active extension against passive flexion by rubber band and the use of controlled passive extension and flexion. We utilise the Brooke Army Hospital modification of the rubber band passive flexion splint; this provides for maximal excursion of the tendon with full passive flexion of the finger. The 66 patients (78 fingers) who form the basis of this study all sustained complete laceration of the flexor profundus and superficialis tendons in "no man's land". Results were evaluated by the Strickland formula of total active motion (TAM) of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. Sixty-two fingers (80%) were rated "excellent", 14 fingers (18%) were "good", two fingers (2%) were "fair", none was rated "poor". Our regimen of controlled motion rehabilitation has also been applied with equal success to cases of flexor tendon grafting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Thomes
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dovelle
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Monsivais
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Milnor
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery* / Q000637:transplantation