title: A prospective review of open central slip laceration repair and rehabilitation.
abstract: A prospective review was carried out to evaluate the outcome of surgically repaired open central slip (zone III) injuries which were treated with 3 weeks of proximal interphalangeal joint immobilization within a cylinder splint and then with 3 weeks of controlled mobilization within a Capener coil splint. Thirty-one fingers in 27 patients were assessed by the same independent therapist. All fingers achieved an excellent or good recovery with a mean proximal interphalangeal joint flexion of 94 degrees (range 70-110 degrees) and a mean distal interphalangeal joint flexion of 57 degrees (range 30-81 degrees). Extension deficits of the proximal interphalangeal joint were noted in five fingers (mean 6 degrees, range 3-15 degrees). The results show that a combination of immobilization and controlled mobilization is an effective rehabilitation regime for surgically repaired open central slip injuries.
authors.affiliation: Hand Therapy Unit, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, Middlesex, UK. anna_pratt@hotmail.com
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Burr
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Grobbelaar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D022125:Lacerations / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery