title: The benefit of early rehabilitation following tendon repair of the hand: A population-based claims database analysis.
abstract: METHODS
  A retrospective cohort.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The benefits of early rehabilitation after hand tendon repair have not been analyzed using population-based datasets.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to analyze whether early rehabilitation reduces the resurgery risk and the use of rehabilitation resources.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n = 1219) who underwent hand tendon repairs followed by rehabilitation were identified from a nationwide claims database and divided into 3 groups: early (<1 wk after tendon repair), intermediate (1-6 wk), or late (>6 wk) rehabilitation. The resurgery rate and the use of rehabilitation resources after tendon repair were calculated. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate the relevant predictors of resurgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The early rehabilitation group exhibited the lowest resurgery rate and used the fewest rehabilitation resources. Compared with late rehabilitation, early or intermediate rehabilitation conferred protective effects against resurgery in patients without a concomitant upper-limb fracture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest the benefit of early rehabilitation after hand tendon repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  4.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chi-Mei Medical Center, No. 901, Zhonghua Road, Yongkang District, Tainan 71004, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Recreation and Health Care Management, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, No. 60, Sec. 1, Erren Road, Rende District, Tainan 71710, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Pei-Chi
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chi-Mei Medical Center, No. 901, Zhonghua Road, Yongkang District, Tainan 71004, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Shu-Yu
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Research, Chi-Mei Medical Center, No. 901, Zhonghua Road, Yongkang District, Tainan 71004, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Hospital and Health Care Administration, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, No. 60, Sec. 1, Erren Road, Rende District, Tainan 71710, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Chung-Han
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chi-Mei Medical Center, No. 901, Zhonghua Road, Yongkang District, Tainan 71004, Taiwan, ROC; Department of Recreation and Health Care Management, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, No. 60, Sec. 1, Erren Road, Rende District, Tainan 71710, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Willy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, No. 100, Tzyou 1st Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung 80754, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: srlu@kmu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Shiang-Ru
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012086:Reoperation; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hand tendon surgery; Rehabilitation; Rehabilitation resources; Resurgery rate