This retrospective study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the modified regime for rehabilitation of Zone II flexor tendon injuries in Sibu Hospital. From January to December 2003, 8 patients with 15 injured digits were treated by using the combined method of dynamic traction and passive mobilization. According to Strickland's criteria, 14 (93.3%) digits achieved good to excellent outcomes and only 1 (6.7%) was rated as poor. No occurrence of tendon rupture was noted. The overall grip strength of the injured hand was 50.1% of the uninjured hand at 3 months after the repair. Our results compare favorably with the other published studies. We believed that this modified regime is as effective as other established regimes and suitable to be adopted in our setting. Further study with larger sample group will be required to consolidate our findings.
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to report the outcome of patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) and to determine the factors associated with return to work and activity.
MATERIALS: Three hundred sixty-five patients who underwent ARCR were prospectively evaluated. The cohort was divided into 2 groups based on clinical results at 6 months. Group A consisted of patients who were considered to have a satisfactory outcome based on return to their previous professional or spare-time activities. Group B consisted of patients with an unsatisfactory outcome based on a lack of return to normal work or activities.
RESULTS: Of the patients, 305 had a satisfactory outcome (group A) and 60 were categorized as having an unsatisfactory outcome (group B). On multivariate analysis, preoperative factors associated with group B included female gender and heavy manual labor. Postoperative bursitis on ultrasound at 6 months was associated with being in group B. Lack of tendon healing was not associated with group B. However, if a patient without healing had persistent pain at 6 months, the pain persisted at 9 months.
CONCLUSION: ARCR is an effective procedure that leads to significant improvement in pain, function, and tendon healing in most cases. However, in 1 of 5 cases, patients were unable to resume normal activity at 6 months postoperatively. Persistent limitation at 6 months was associated with female gender, heavy manual workers, and the presence of postoperative persistent bursitis.
KEYWORDS: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair; double row; recovery of function; return to work; tendon non-healing or retear; treatment outcome; ultrasound; workers' compensation claim