Flexor tendon repair in zone 2 followed by early active mobilization

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