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Influences of the protected passive mobilization interval on flexor tendon healing. A prospective randomized clinical study.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Gelberman, RH; Nunley, JA; Osterman, AL; Breen, TF; Dimick, MP; Woo, SL
Published in: Clin Orthop Relat Res
March 1991

A prospective multicenter clinical study was carried out to determine whether improved tendon gliding could be achieved with greater durations of daily passive-motion rehabilitation after flexor tendon repair. Fifty-one patients were placed randomly into two controlled passive-motion protocols. Group 1 patients received greater intervals of passive-motion rehabilitation using a continuous passive-motion device. Group 2 patients were treated with a traditional early passive-motion protocol for tendon rehabilitation. For Group 1 patients, the mean interval of controlled motion rehabilitation was 75 hours a week, and the mean number of cycles was 12,000. For Group 2 patients the mean interval of controlled passive motion was four hours a week, and the mean number of cycles was 1000. The minimum follow-up time was six months (mean, 10.8 months). Using Strickland and Glogovac's formula, the mean active motion for digits in Group 1 was 138 degrees +/- 6 degrees. Mean motion for tendons in Group 2 was 119 degrees +/- 8 degrees. The difference between Groups 1 and 2 was statistically significant. The effect of the number of tendons injured per digit within each group was not significant. The data from this experiment indicate that the duration of the daily controlled motion interval is a significant variable insofar as postrepair flexor tendon function is concerned.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Clin Orthop Relat Res

ISSN

0009-921X

Publication Date

March 1991

Issue

264

Start / End Page

189 / 196

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tendon Injuries
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Prospective Studies
  • Orthopedics
  • Motion Therapy, Continuous Passive
  • Humans
  • Finger Injuries
  • Adult
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

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MLA
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Gelberman, R. H., Nunley, J. A., Osterman, A. L., Breen, T. F., Dimick, M. P., & Woo, S. L. (1991). Influences of the protected passive mobilization interval on flexor tendon healing. A prospective randomized clinical study. Clin Orthop Relat Res, (264), 189–196.
Gelberman, R. H., J. A. Nunley, A. L. Osterman, T. F. Breen, M. P. Dimick, and S. L. Woo. “Influences of the protected passive mobilization interval on flexor tendon healing. A prospective randomized clinical study.Clin Orthop Relat Res, no. 264 (March 1991): 189–96.
Gelberman RH, Nunley JA, Osterman AL, Breen TF, Dimick MP, Woo SL. Influences of the protected passive mobilization interval on flexor tendon healing. A prospective randomized clinical study. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1991 Mar;(264):189–96.
Gelberman, R. H., et al. “Influences of the protected passive mobilization interval on flexor tendon healing. A prospective randomized clinical study.Clin Orthop Relat Res, no. 264, Mar. 1991, pp. 189–96.
Gelberman RH, Nunley JA, Osterman AL, Breen TF, Dimick MP, Woo SL. Influences of the protected passive mobilization interval on flexor tendon healing. A prospective randomized clinical study. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1991 Mar;(264):189–196.
Journal cover image

Published In

Clin Orthop Relat Res

ISSN

0009-921X

Publication Date

March 1991

Issue

264

Start / End Page

189 / 196

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tendon Injuries
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Prospective Studies
  • Orthopedics
  • Motion Therapy, Continuous Passive
  • Humans
  • Finger Injuries
  • Adult
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences