Background: Hand injury in children associated with lesion of tendons of fingers or wrist are the most serious traumas as far as consequences are concerned. The aim of the study was to assess the long-term results (5 years and more after injury) of surgical treatment and rehabilitation of children after total traumatic cutting of tendons of fingers and wrist.
Material and methods: The study covered a group of 27 patients; 20 boys and 7 girls, aged from 2 to 8 years. Retrospective epidemiological analysis of injuries, measured movement range in joints of injured fingers to define TAM index (total active motion) was performed. Maximum and average handgrip power in healthy and injured hands were compared, appearance and function of finger and hand scars by Vancouver Scar Scale were evaluated objectively and subjectively by patients.
Results: Very good and good treatment results were achieved in 17 patients (62.9%), satisfactory in 4 patients (14.8%) and unsatisfactory in 5 (18.5%). Among children with unsatisfactory results, 4 had lesion of PFF and SFF tendons in hand zone II according to Verdan. While assessing global and two point handgrip power no statistical differences were found between the healthy and post injury hand. About 96% of the examined patient presented with very good and good appearance and function of post injured scars according to VSS.
Conclusions: Authors stress necessity of operative treatment and early rehabilitation of children with lesion of finger tendons especially in zone II according Verdan in specialized surgical centres.