The 2004 Annual Meeting (January 14-20, 2004) of OASYS_NEW

Not yet assigned to a slot - 3:40 AM

Early Active Motion After Volar Plate Repair

Rebecca A, Dalagiannis AT, and Gupta MR. Department of Plastic Surgery, Medical College of Ohio, St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center, Toledo, OH, USA

Introduction: In a review of the literature, we find that volar plate repair is often followed by spinting or K-wire fixation of the interphalangeal joint. We present a series of patients who underwent volar plate repair followed by controlled early active motion of the finger.

Objective: Early mobilization of volar plate repair is feasible without significant complications.

Methods: A series of four patients underwent volar plate repair using Binell 4.0 pullout wire and volar plate advancement. Early controlled active motion was begun on postoperative day one using a dorsal blocking splint.

Outcomes: All patients underwent early mobilization, and achieved excellent range of motion without complication.

Discussion: We believe that early mobilization following volar plate repair can be accomplished safely and effectively without complication. The benefits of early mobilization include decreased stiffness, increased range of motion, and early return to useful activities, i.e. workplace.