TENDON EXCURSIONS AFTER FLEXOR TENDON REPAIR IN ZONE-II - RESULTS WITH A NEW CONTROLLED-MOTION PROGRAM

Metal markers were used to study flexor digitorum profundus tendon exc ursions during early controlled motion with a new program combining dy namic traction and passive flexion to all four digits. The mean excurs ion was 2.3 mm along the middle phalanx and 11.7 mm along the proximal phalanx. This was more than twice the mean size of excursions previou sly achieved with a modified traditional Kleinert traction program. Th e mean excursion per 10 degrees of combined distal and proximal interp halangeal controlled joint motion amounted to 73% of the corresponding excursion recorded during active motion. Taken together with the find ings of our previous study on tendon excursions, the results also indi cate that the magnitude of excursions induced by both the distal and t he proximal interphalangeal joints during controlled motion has a sign ificant effect on adhesion formation and clinical results. However, in the region of 6 to 9 mm there appears to be a threshold beyond which the effect of a further increase in excursions becomes insignificant.