title: Early active mobilization after flexor tendon repairs in zone two.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aims to evaluate an early mobilization regimen after 136 flexor tendon repairs in zone two in 82 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postoperatively patients were managed by an early mobilization program, which incorporated immediate active flexion and extension. Results are based on both the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand (IFSSH) and the Strickland systems of evaluation. The results of long fingers and thumbs were analyzed separately.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the long fingers group were excellent (72.2%), good (26.0%) and fair (1.9%) according to Strickland's standards and were good (81.5%), fair (16.6%) and poor (1.9%) according to the IFSSH standards. The results of the thumbs group were excellent (96.4%) and fair (3.6%) according to Strickland's standards and were excellent (82.1%), good (14.3%) and poor (3.6%) according to the IFSSH standards.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study corroborates evidence that postoperative programs that incorporate early active flexion can produce good results after flexor tendon repair in zone two.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Hand Surgery and Microsurgery, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Avenida Ipiranga, 6690, conj. 216, Centro Clínico da PUCRS, CEP 90.610-000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil. jeffmao@terra.com.br
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Braga-Silva
authors.forename: C R M
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Kuyven
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004434:Early Ambulation; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012421:Rupture; D013165:Splints; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome