title: Primary flexor tendon repair in zone 1.
abstract: This paper presents an analysis of the results of repair of 102 complete flexor tendon disruptions in zone 1 which were rehabilitated by an early active mobilization technique during a 7 year period from 1992 to 1998. These injuries were subdivided into: distal tendon divisions requiring reinsertion; more proximal tendon divisions but still distal to the A4 pulley; tendon divisions under or just proximal to the A4 pulley; and closed avulsions of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon from the distal phalanx. Assessment by Strickland's original criteria showed good and excellent results of 64%, 60%, 55% and 67% respectively in the four groups. However, examination of the results measuring the range of movement of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint alone provided a more realistic assessment of the affect of this injury on DIP joint function, with good and excellent results of only 50%, 46%, 50% and 22% respectively in the four groups.
authors.affiliation: St Andrew's Centre for Plastic Surgery, Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, UK.
authors.forename: N S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Moiemen
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Elliot
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome