Purpose
Traction tenolysis is an alternative, less invasive way of performing flexor tendon
tenolysis by winding affected tendons around a surgical instrument. This study assessed
outcomes and complications in a cohort of patients who underwent traction tenolysis
to determine its effectiveness.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 97 patients who underwent traction tenolysis performed
by 4 fellowship-trained hand surgeons from 2010 to 2019. We collected data on preoperative
and postoperative ranges of motion, the number and type of prior ipsilateral hand
surgeries, and the duration of therapy and follow-up. Cases of traditional open tenosynovectomy
tenolysis were excluded.
Results
Approximately two-thirds of the patients achieved more than 75% of the normal total
active motion, and 80% achieved at least 50% of the normal total active motion. The
mean total active flexion increased significantly by 42° and passive flexion by 25°.
The differences in active and passive flexion significantly decreased from 28° before
the surgery to 9° after the surgery. The active and passive flexion of the distal
interphalangeal and proximal interphalangeal joints improved similarly, at approximately
20° and 10°, respectively. The average duration of follow-up was 11 ± 8 weeks. The
complication rate was 5%: 1 case of intraoperative flexor digitorum superficialis
tendon rupture, 1 case of postoperative infection, and 3 reoperations because of failure
to progress.
Conclusions
Traction tenolysis is an alternative to traditional open tenolysis surgery in selected
patients.
Level of evidence
Therapeutic IV.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 06, 2022
Accepted:
May 20,
2022
Received:
April 13,
2021
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofFootnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.
