Modalities in prevention of flexor tendon adhesion in the hand : What have we achieved so far ?


Published online: Aug 27 2009

Anil Khanna, Nikolaos Gougoulias, Nicola Maffulli

From the Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, London, United Kingdom

Abstract

Several modifications in surgical techniques and various pharmacological and non pharmacological modalities have been introduced to prevent adhesions formation in surgery on flexor tendons of the hand. However, most studies have been carried out in animals with very few human trials. Only early post-operative rehabilitation is supported by clinical evidence, while the optimal rehabilitation protocol remains controversial. Innovations in surgical techniques and other modalities need to be tested with adequately powered human trials, before their potential benefit in clinical practice is accepted.