Recent advances in flexor tendon repair

The prognosis for restoration of good function after the treatment of a tendon lesion in 'no-man's land' is influenced by a number of factors which may be summarized as follows:
- The nature of the injury.
- The amplitude of the tendon excursion.
- The motility of the hand.
- The age of the patient.
- The rehabilitation of the patient.
Excellent results may usually be achieved when the preoperative conditions are favourable. Unsatisfactory results usually follow when:
- the neurovascular bundles are injured and the posterior wall of the tendon sheath is damaged,
- the amplitude of excursion of the divided tendon is large,
- the skin of the hand is thick and tough,
- the patient is more than 20 years old,
- the rehabilitation of the patient is insufficient.
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