A Case Report on the Role of Occupational Therapy in Revascularised and Replanted Surgical Case of Flexor Tendon of Hand

Occupational Therapy intervention, after revascularisation/ replant of flexor tendon injury, are very rare . When a primary repair can not be done, tendon reconstruction remains the treatment in such cases. In the past years there have been significant innovations in injury repair and aftercare for patients who sustain different zones of flexor injuries. Based on improvements in our understanding of the mechanism of repair, new differentiated concepts have been developed, but active extension and passive flexion is still the standard in flexor tendon surgery. The new stronger suture techniques today allow immediate active flexion and rehabilitation through Occupational therapy can help in improving the flexion movements faster.

The purpose of this article is to review the occupational therapy intervention of flexor tendon injury after revascularisation / replant.

A case of lacerated wound on right hand, volar aspect near wrist with palmaris longus, flexor carpi ulnaris(FCU), flexor carpi radialis(FCR), flexor digitorum profundus(FDP), flexor digitorum superficialis(FDS), flexor pollicis longus(FPL), ulnar nerve and vessels cut, came to our centre . The tendons were repaired and patient was referred for occupational therapy services. After occupational therapy intervention patient now is able to work independently and has returned to his job back. Even though all the flexor tendons had got cut completely, the patient is today able to perform all functions that he used to do before the accident, again viz: drilling and cutting etc.