Results of zone II flexor tendon lacerations in civilians treated by the Washington regimen.

Thirty-three civilian patients with 44 digits that had zone II lacerations of the flexor tendons were treated by the Washington regimen. No cases with phalangeal fractures, joint injuries, or skin loss were included. The patients attended therapy five times per week for 2 weeks, and then three times per week for 4 more weeks. Only the 18 patients (55% of the original treatment cohort; among them, there was a total of 25 injured digits) who completed the 6 weeks of treatment and returned for follow-up evaluation at either 3 or 6 months were included in the results. Using the Strickland-Glogovac evaluation method, results were excellent in 36% of cases, good in 12%, fair in 20%, and poor in 32%. These results are in marked contrast to those previously reported, and surgeons in the nonmilitary setting should consider these more realistic expectations when selecting a method of treatment.