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Modified hand tendon repair technique results in no ruptures, quick rehabilitation
Georgescu AV, et al. Hand. 2011. doi: 10.1007/s11552-011-9345-5
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Moving the tension level of tendon disruption to the finger pulp resulted in no ruptures and the ability for patients to quickly begin a postoperative rehabilitation program, according to this study from Romanian researchers.
The researchers used a pull-out technique designed to shift tension from the level of tendon disruption to the finger pulp over tendon insertion, modifying it slightly and putting together a retrospective study to analyze gap formation, suture strength, rupture rate, efficiency of two-strand suture repair and the obtainment of a strong range of flexion through early active mobilization against resistance.
The researchers treated 71 zone II digitorum profundus disruptions in 58 patients between 2000 and 2008 with their modified method. The authors reported 41 fingers (57.7%) displayed complete range of flexion, with eight fingers (11.3%) displaying a flexion deficit of 5° to 10° and 22 fingers (31%) displaying a flexion deficit of 10° to 20°.
The authors also reported no ruptures, bowstringing or major strength deficit.