Effects of Motion on Tendon Healing

Baskies M, Tuckman DV, Paksima N. Management of flexor tendon injuries following surgical repair. Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis. 2008;66(1):35-40. Remarkable strides have been made in the treatment of flexor tendon injuries in the past 40 years. Advances in the understanding of flexor tendon anatomy, nutrition, healing, and biomechanics has significantly improved the treatment of these challenging injuries. Many advances also have been made due to the cooperation between the hand surgeon and the therapist. This coordinated effort has resulted in improved postoperative treatment programs following flexor tendon repairs. Prior to the 1970s, repair of intrasynovial flexor tendon injuries yielded consistently poor results. Bunnell named this region of the hand, “No man’s land.” Later studies showed that a strong repair coupled with early motion yielded excellent results. Primary tendon healing, without the in-growth of adhesions, has been demonstrated both clinically and experimentally.