FLEXOR TENDON REPAIR IN ZONE-2 FOLLOWED BY EARLY ACTIVE MOBILIZATION

The results following primary and delayed primary repair in zone 2 fle xor tendon injuries mere evaluated prospectively in 88 fingers of 71 p atients using tao different early postoperative mobilization programme s. In 33 patients, the Kleinert rubber band passive flexion method was used. In the remaining 38 patients, the early active mobilization pro gramme was used. All patients sere reviewed 1 year after operation and the results assessed by the Strickland criteria. During this evaluati on maximum grip strength was also measured. The results mere excellent or good in 78% of digits and mean grip strength was 84% of the uninju red hand in the Kleinert rubber band passive flexion group. In the ear ly active mobilization group, excellent or good results were achieved in 85% of the digits and the mean grip strength was 90% of the uninjur ed hand. There were two early ruptures in each group.