Objectives: To investigate if early mobilization and immobilization regimes influence long-term outcome after repair of a flexor tendon injury in fingers in children.
Methods: A retrospective follow-up study (2003-2009) was conducted in 27 children (1-16 years) with a flexor tendon injury, excluding a flexor tendon injury in the thumb. Early mobilization (n=17) or immobilization (n=10) was used. Range of motion (ROM; expressed in % of contralateral uninjured hand) in MCP, PIP, and DIP joints was measured, grip strength was recorded, and VAS for function and cosmetic was evaluated.
Results: No ruptures or infections were observed. In the early mobilization group there were more boys; they had a higher age, more transection injuries, and more concomitant digital nerve injuries. However, no differences between the early mobilization and the immobilization groups for functional or cosmetic VAS, ROM for MCP, PIP, and DIP joints or for grip strength were found.
Conclusions: The long-term outcome after a flexor tendon repair does not differ between early mobilization in older children and immobilization in younger children, implying that an early rehabilitation program is not necessary in young children.
Key words: Children, flexor tendon injury, mobilization
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