title: [Rehabilitation after secondary surgery of the flexor tendons of fingers and thumb].
abstract: The repair of the finger flexor tendons can be complicated by the appearance of ruptures and peritendinous adhesions. Ruptures are often treated with tendon grafts. Peritendinous adhesions can require tenolysis. Following these two surgical procedures, there is a risk of new adhesions and rupture. Rehabilitation after this secondary surgery consists of a tailored, closely supervised protocol. Protocols used by the team at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department of the Regional Rehabilitation Institute and the team at the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department of the Emile-Gallé Surgical Center of Nancy (France) are described. A close collaboration between these teams of surgeons and physical therapists is essential. After tendon grafting, protected early motion helps to move the transplant immediately while still protecting it. After tenolysis, immediate (several times a day) and extended rehabilitation ensures that the mobility obtained intraoperatively is maintained. It is performed in a specialized rehabilitation center during the first three postoperative weeks. The goal is to prevent new adhesions from forming while taking into account tendon's fragility.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Foisneau-Lottin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Touillet
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Paysant
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dautel
mesh_terms: D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012086:Reoperation; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D013165:Splints; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery