Article

Therapy after flexor pollicis longus (FPL) repair typically mimics
finger flexor management, but this ignores anatomic and biomechanical features
unique to the FPL. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: We measured FPL tendon tension in zone
T2 to identify biomechanically appropriate exercises for mobilizing the FPL.
METHODS: Eight human cadaver hands were studied to identify motions that
generated enough force to achieve FPL movement without exceeding hypothetical
suture strength. RESULTS:
With the carpometacarpal and metacarpophalangeal joints
blocked, appropriate forces were produced for both passive interphalangeal (IP)
motion with 30 degrees wrist extension and simulated active IP flexion from 0
degrees to 35 degrees with the wrist in the neutral position. DISCUSSION: This
work provides a biomechanical basis for safely and effectively mobilizing the
zone T2 FPL tendon. CONCLUSION: Our cadaver study suggests that it is safe and
effective to perform early passive and active exercise to an isolated IP joint.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 Hanley & Belfus. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights
reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS