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Biomedical subjects

L J Thomes

Publications and source records attributed to L J Thomes.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1989

A comparison of results of extensor tendon repair followed by early controlled mobilisation versus static immobilisation.

To compare the functional results of early controlled mobilisation and static immobilisation following repair of extensor tendons, we conducted a comparative study between two centres. In one, a consecutive series of tenorrhaphy patients was treated post-operatively by the dynamic splinting technique. In the other, a consecutive group was treated by static splinting. All patients treated by dynamic splinting were graded excellent within six weeks following surgery; no tendon ruptures occurred and no secondary corrective tendon surgery was required. After static splinting, 40% were graded excellent, 31% good, 29% fair, and none poor; six fingers treated by static splintage subsequently required tenolysis. Following surgical repair of extensor tendons of the hand, patients treated by early controlled motion regain better flexion function in terms of grip strength and pulp-to-palm distance. Dynamic splinting is a more effective technique than static splinting in the prevention of extensor lag.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Controlled motion rehabilitation after flexor tendon repair and grafting. A multi-centre study.

We present a system for treatment by controlled motion after repair of flexor tendons in the hand. This Washington regimen incorporates both controlled active extension against passive flexion by rubber band and the use of controlled passive extension and flexion. We utilise the Brooke Army Hospital modification of the rubber band passive flexion splint; this provides for maximal excursion of the tendon with full passive flexion of the finger. The 66 patients (78 fingers) who form the basis of this study all sustained complete laceration of the flexor profundus and superficialis tendons in "no man's land". Results were evaluated by the Strickland formula of total active motion (TAM) of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. Sixty-two fingers (80%) were rated "excellent", 14 fingers (18%) were "good", two fingers (2%) were "fair", none was rated "poor". Our regimen of controlled motion rehabilitation has also been applied with equal success to cases of flexor tendon grafting.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Flexor tendon repair and rehabilitation in zone II open sheath technique versus closed sheath technique.

A comparative prospective study of the surgical management of the tendon sheath after repair of flexor tendons in zone II is reported. The study included only patients with lacerations of both flexor tendons and no other associated injuries. A modified Kessler suture was used to repair the profundus tendon and the superficialis tendon was repaired with a horizontal mattress suture. In 48 fingers the flexor tendon sheath was left open and it was closed in the second group of 42 fingers. When it was impossible to close the tendon sheath, a vein patch was taken from the dorsal veins of the hand. Both groups of patients were treated with the same regimen of controlled motion rehabilitation and supervised by the same hand therapist. Results were evaluated by the Strickland formula for total active motion of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints. There was no statistical difference between the results of open sheath versus closed sheath in these two groups of patients treated postoperatively with the same controlled motion rehabilitation program.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

A combined regimen of controlled motion following flexor tendon repair in "no man's land".

A program of controlled motion following repair of flexor tendons in the hand is presented. This regimen incorporates the features of active extension against rubber band passive flexion, as well as those of controlled passive extension and passive flexion. In this prospective study, 44 digits with complete lacerations of the flexor digitorum profundus and flexor digitorum superficialis in zone 2 were treated. Using the Strickland formula of total active motion of the interphalangeal joints, 36 fingers (82 percent) were rated "excellent"; 7 fingers (16 percent) were rated "good"; 1 finger (2 percent) was rated "fair"; none was rated "poor". There was no statistical difference between the results of delayed primary repair and immediate primary repair.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Early mobilization method for surgically repaired zone III extensor tendons.

A method for early mobilization of surgically repaired extensor tendons in zone III is outlined. Twenty-seven consecutive patients were treated between June 1985 and January 1992 using this 6-week treatment method, which includes fabrication and application of a custom dynamic hand-based orthosis. The specific graded controlled motion regimen is described in detail. The central theme of this article is early controlled motion beginning within 4 days of surgical repair. A critical element to the successful outcome is the resting position, which is also outlined in detail.

Adult↗