Tendon excursion and dehiscence during early controlled mobilization after flexor tendon repair in zone II: an x-ray stereophotogrammetric analysis.

Abstract

The effect of different methods on early controlled mobilization of the flexor profundus tendon regarding tendon excursion and dehiscence was examined during treatment of 20 tendons in 18 patients. An application of radiographic stereophotogrammetric analysis on movements of tendon tissue was developed and the tendons studied during the early postoperative period. Considerable differences of tendon excursion were found between the various mobilization methods and were dependent on the level of injury within zone II. The use of a mobilization method that includes a component of controlled active flexion is suggested for injuries at the A3 and A4 levels. This radiographic stereophotogrammetric analysis method developed for tendon excursion and dehiscence is new and provides knowledge that cannot be obtained in any other way.