A prospective, controlled, randomized trial comparing early active extension with passive extension using a dynamic splint in the rehabilitation of repaired extensor tendons.

This prospective, randomized, controlled trial compared two methods of rehabilitating extensor tendon repairs in zones IV-VIII. Group A patients followed an early active mobilization regimen and Group B patients followed a dynamic splintage regimen. Data on 19 patients in Group A and 17 patients in Group B were collected at 4 weeks and at final follow-up (3 months median follow-up for both groups). Extension lag, flexion deficit and total active motion (TAM) were measured. At 4 weeks, patients in Group B had a better TAM (median 87%, range 56-102%) compared to patients in Group A (median 77%, range 52-97%). At final follow-up, there were no significant differences in the results of the two groups. There were no ruptures in either group. Copyright 2002 The British Society for Surgery of the Hand.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes