Efficacy of occupational therapy and effective factors in rehabilitation of injured flexor tendons after repair: A Review article

Akbari, H; Mirzaei, L; Abolfazli, M; Hamidi, L; Akbari, P

Efficacy of occupational therapy and effective factors in rehabilitation of injured flexor tendons after repair: A Review article

Authors

H Akbari ¹

L Mirzaei ²

M Abolfazli ³

L Hamidi ⁴

P Akbari ⁵

¹ Professor, Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hazrat Fatemeh Hospital

² Department of occupational therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

³ Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Iran University of Medical Sciences

⁴ Medical Engineer

⁵ General Physician, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Hand tendon injuries have significant negative effect on patients’ daily routine and recreational activities by causing dysfunction of hand and this reduces the quality of life. Based on the researches, this issue has a high prevalence. Researchers suggest different causes for this problem, including traumatic injury, motor vehicle injuries, combat injuries and occupational ones. Rehabilitation of flexor tendons after their repair is challenging for health providers, since they should maintain the balance between protecting the repaired tissue and providing enough tendon gliding to prevent from contracture and adhesion. Hand rehab programs should be accessible for patients to minimize the chance adhesion and maximize the function. During past two decades, surgical interventions, especially regarding second zone of hand, has improved significantly and this has led to better outcome. Small incisions in these surgeries prevent the tissue from edema. Furthermore, the sutures should be resistant enough to remain intact in rehabilitation sessions.

Keywords

flexor tendon repair

occupational therapy

tendon adhesion

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