Long-term Results of Pediatric Flexor Tendon Injuries

Effect of Hand Dominance on Functional Outcomes in Pediatric Patients With Flexor Tendon Injuries

Hand and upper extremity injuries are among the most common causes of admission of children to the emergency department since they are the most frequently injured part of body following head in pediatric and adolescent population. Although upper extremity fractures and contusions are the main reasons of pediatric hand injuries, tendon injuries are not also uncommon. There are limited data in the literature about the long-term results of children with flexor tendon injury. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term functional outcomes of children with flexor tendon injury.

Hand and upper extremity injuries are among the most common causes of admission of children to the emergency department since they are the most frequently injured part of body following head in pediatric and adolescent population. Although upper extremity fractures and contusions are the main reasons of pediatric hand injuries, tendon injuries are not also uncommon. While extensor tendon injuries have been reported to be most frequent than flexor tendon injuries for all age groups, the ratio of flexor to extensor tendon injuries is higher in pediatric population than adults and in children younger than 10 years old flexor tendon injuries are more common than extensor tendon injuries.Despite some challenges in the treatment of flexor tendon injuries of children, the outcomes have been reported to be better in children than adults since they have better blood supply, more rapid tendon healing and better remodeling ability of scars and adhesions. However, there is still a risk of permanent morbidities such as significant scarring and stiffness which can cause worse functional outcomes.There are limited data in the literature about the long-term results of children with flexor tendon injury. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term functional outcomes of children with flexor tendon injury.

Inclusion Criteria:

• . Patients between the ages of 6-18 who have applied to orthopedics emergency department due to hand injury and have been operated with flexor tendon injury, for the last 3 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• The patients who had history of bilateral hand injury, delayed surgery, accompanying extensor tendon injury and a follow-up less than six months after injury were excluded from the study.