Simplified functional splinting after extensor tenorrhaphy

摘要: The medical records of 22 patients who had a total 61 simple or complex lacerations finger, thumb, and wrist extensor tendons repaired in zones V–VIII (thumb TIII–TV) were reviewed. By 7 days after surgery, custom-molded splints applied to hold the patients' wrists extended (approximately 30°) metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints flexed slightly (20°–30°), leaving interphalangeal (IP) free. If thumb tenorrhaphies done, carpometacarpal MP included splinted neutral (0° extension) position. Patients performed active IP joint range motion (ROM) exercises as instructed. At mean follow-up period 4.5 months (range, 1.5–12 months), there no residual impairments that interfered with activities daily living prevented their return preinjury employment status; 19 (86%) good excellent results, based on objective criteria motion. There tenorrhaphy failures. results support concept functional splinting techniques, which allow early ROM while protecting tendons, thus resulting less stiffness than older methods static without being complicated labor-intensive dynamic splinting.