Background: Early or delayed mobilization of limb after flexor tendon rupture repairing has an effect on postoperative outcomes, however it is not yet clear whether early or late organ mobilization leads to more likelihood of recovery. We aimed to assess the effects of early and late active limb mobilization through rehabilitation after surgery on the range of motion and hand recovery.
Methods: This randomized clinical study was performed in Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran in 2022 on 80 patients with flexor tendon damage in the zone II, who underwent reconstructive surgery of superficial and deep tendons. Patients were randomly (using random number table) divided into two groups that for one group, rehabilitation was done early (starting after three days, n = 53) and for the other group, rehabilitation was done late (starting after three weeks, n = 27). The patients were examined postoperatively and following occupational therapy and the range of motion of their involved joints was calculated.
Results: The means PIP extension Lag, PIP active flexion, DIP extension Lag, DIP active flexion and total active motion were all significantly higher in those patients planned for early mobilization as compared to those who considered for late mobilization(P=0.031). Such a significant difference was also revealed adjusting baseline parameters.
Conclusion: Compared to the delayed start of hand flexor tendon mobility, the early start of these activities is associated with a much greater improvement in the movement function of this tendon.
Keywords: Active mobilization; Flexor tendon injury; Range of motion; Zone II.