Rehabilitation outcome of flexor tendon injuries

81 SUMMARY Although the exact incidence is unknown, flexor tendon injuries are very common problems. Prolonged disability following such an injury can cause physical and emotional suffering and socioeconomic disaster fort he patient. Rehabilitation after tendon repair is of the utmost importance, because it often determines the final outcome. There is stil controversy with regard to the postoperative management of flexor tendon injuries. However, recent evidence suggests that early mobilization produces better results. în this prospective study, results of 48 flexor tendon repairs in 21 patients rehabilitated in Gazi University, Medical Faculty Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation are analyzed. Postopertively patients were managed by Kleinert' controlled active extansion with rubbber band flexion technique. Pre and post treatment, it was measured finger range of motion, distance between the finger tip and distal palmar crease, grip strength and pinch strength at the injured hand. Result were evaluated by using the both Stricland and Buck-Gramcko systems. According to Strickland formula of total active motion, 30 fingers (% 62.5) were rated 'excellent' and 'good'. According to Buck-Gramcko system 31 fingers (% 64.6) were rated 'excellent' and 'good'. The values of grip strength in zone V which contain nevre injury less than the values of grip strength in the zone II cases that does not include nevre injuries. According to the statistics it is not found meaningfull difference between these values( p>0.05). When it is compared distance between the finger tip and distal palmar crease in zone V and zone n, we see 66.8 % improvement in the hand that is zone II82 injuries and 45.9 % improvement in the hand which is zone V injuries. This is statistically significant (p<0.05). This results are corroborates evidence that early mobilization and hand therapy appear to play an important part in the postoperative management of flexor tendon injuries.