title: Effects of delayed therapeutic intervention following zone II flexor tendon repair.
abstract: The importance of the timing of therapeutic intervention to the results of zone II flexor tendon repairs was retrospectively studied. Twenty-two patients were categorized as having had either early intervention (referral within the first postoperative week) or delayed intervention (referral between 1 and 3 weeks postoperatively). Patients followed a combined Kleinert/Duran program. Patients' results were calculated according to Strickland's formula for total active range of motion. In the early intervention group, 60% of the results were excellent and 40% were good; there were no fair or poor results. In the delayed intervention group, 50% of the results were excellent, 25% were good, 17% were fair, and 8% were poor. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. However, these results are clinically significant because a fair or poor result would reduce the patient's use of the affected digit and could lead to further surgical intervention.
authors.affiliation: York County Hospital, Newmarket, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Tottenham
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilton-Bennett
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jeffrey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000502:physiology; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011182:Postoperative Care; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013997:Time Factors