Extensor tenolysis: a modern version of an old approach.

Abstract

The concept of tenolysis has been in existence for at least 50 years. Its function is to free tendon from posttraumatic scar tissue. To retard the recurrence of rescarring, membrane interposition between tendon and bone has been recommended. In the setting of postfracture extensor tenolysis, I prospectively employed a 3-mm section of passive Hunter rod as an interpositional material in eight consecutive patients. After an average follow-up of 23 months, the patients maintained 92 percent of operatively attained motion; only 56 percent was maintained in six patients without membrane interposition. There was no instance of rod dislocation, rod removal, or adverse silicone reaction. Extensor tenolysis with silicone membrane (Hunter rod) interposition is more predictable and enduring than tenolysis alone.