An evaluation of the influence of practitioner-led hand clinics on rupture rates following primary tendon repair in the hand

Practitioner-led hand clinics were introduced in our unit in the year 2000 as a response to the high and increasing number of postoperative hand trauma patients coming to consultant clinics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of these clinics on rupture rates following primary tendon repair in the hand. The study specifically examined:• zone II flexor tendon repairs• flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon repairs• extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon repairs. Prospective data collection were undertaken for these particular operations over a 17-month study period. Prior to the introduction of the practitioner-led hand clinics previous audits had demonstrated rupture rates of 30% zone II flexor tendon repairs, 16% for FPL repairs and 5% for EPL repairs. Rupture rates after the introduction of practitioner-led hand clinics fell in all of the study categories—to 17% for zone II flexor tendon repairs, 4% for FPL repairs and 0% for EPL repairs. It is suggested that improved continuity of care by experienced hand therapists may have contributed to the observed improvements in outcome.