A Cost-effective Patient Designed Hand Splint for Rehabilitation after Two-stage Flexor Tendon Reconstruction

Background : A number of splints have been described to aid in the rehabilitation after two-stage flexor tendon reconstruction. We present an innovative splint design by a motivated patient to assist in his own functional recovery in a cost-effective manner.

Case: A 45 year old male engineer underwent a traumatic motor bike injury to the volar aspect of his left middle finger at the level of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint. He was found to have a segmental loss of the distal segment of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) that prevented a primary repair. He was planned for a two stage repair with physiotherapy. After consulting with the therapist, the patient designed a device to aid himself with the flexion of the DIP, PIP and MCP joints of his affected digit which he used during this period. His post operative recovery was remarkable with excellent functional recovery scoring 95% of normal movement on the Strickland's Adjusted system.

Conclusion: In combination with a hand therapy regime, we recommend this innovative patient designed splint as a simple and inexpensive alternative to existing splints for rehabilitation for twostage flexor tendon reconstructions.