Early dynamic motion versus postoperative immobilization in patients with extensor indicis proprius transfer to restore thumb extension: a prospective randomized study.

Transfer of the extensor indicis proprius is the gold standard for reconstruction of the extensor pollicis longus tendon to restore thumb extension. Twenty patients were included to a prospective randomized trial to assess whether an early dynamic motion protocol yields a better outcome than immobilization. Evaluation included postoperative range of motion, grip strength, duration of treatment, and time off work. Ten patients of each group had the thumb immobilized in an extension thumb spica cast for 3 weeks after surgery or underwent an early dynamic motion protocol. Follow-up examinations were performed 3, 4, 6, and 8 weeks after surgery. At 3 weeks total range of motion of the interphalangeal joint was almost twice as good (59 degrees ) in the dynamic motion group compared with immobilized patients (31 degrees ). At 6 weeks no significant differences between the groups were found. A similar pattern for grip strength and pinch grip was found after 3 weeks, when patients undergoing the motion protocol had significantly better results than the immobilized group. Although the dynamic motion group still had better results after 4 weeks, hand function was similar in both groups after 6 and 8 weeks. Patients with early dynamic motion recovered their hand function more rapidly than immobilized patients, shortening total rehabilitation time and making dynamic motion treatment highly cost-effective.