Flexor tendon injuries: Repair &amp; Rehabilitation

Pearce, Oliver; Brown, Matthew T.; Fraser, Katrina; Lancerotto, Luca

doi:10.1016/j.injury.2021.07.036

Cited by 12 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 138 publications

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“…Commonly, these external cells will predominate over the resident cells, causing the surrounding tissue to attach to the repair site, with cell adhesion as an adverse effect. Sufficient vascularity and nutrition by surrounding fluids, absence of cell adhesion, and resident cells proliferation are depending on factors of intrinsic healing [ 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ].…”

Section: Flexor Tendonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Neutrophils, released into the blood vessels, contribute to the healing process by removing foreign cells and strengthening the inflammatory response. Macrophages, in addition, are essential in both promoting and resolving the inflammatory response as well as both moderating and facilitating tissue repair [ 49 ]. They remove dead cells and toxic metabolites from the injury site by phagocytosis.…”

Section: Flexor Tendonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The formation of post-surgical scar tissue and cell adhesion between surrounding tissue and tendon constricts tendon gliding and motion, causing a loss in functionality. In some situations, although they are rare, infections occur after flexor tendon repair [ 49 ]. These postoperative complications are still major clinical challenges to overcome.…”

Section: New Strategies For the Repair Of Flexor Tendon Injuriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Infection is most commonly caused by a significant degree of contamination during the initial injury [ 49 ]. Infection rates increase when the trauma was caused by for example maritime or agricultural activities.…”

Section: New Strategies For the Repair Of Flexor Tendon Injuriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The construct cannot lose its mechanical properties during the biodegradation prior to the complete healing of the tendon. Generally, flexor tendon injuries can take 9 to even up to 12 weeks to heal (maturation takes even longer up to 12 months) [ 49 ], which must be matched with the biodegradation rate. The biodegradation process is greatly influenced by the external environment where it takes place.…”

Section: New Strategies For the Repair Of Flexor Tendon Injuriesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Polymer-Based Constructs for Flexor Tendon Repair: A Review

Brebels

Mignon

2022

Polymers

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A flexor tendon injury is acquired fast and is common for athletes, construction workers, and military personnel among others, treated in the emergency department. However, the healing of injured flexor tendons is stretched over a long period of up to 12 weeks, therefore, remaining a significant clinical problem. Postoperative complications, arising after traditional tendon repair strategies, include adhesion and tendon scar tissue formation, insufficient mechanical strength for early active mobilization, and infections. Various researchers have tried to develop innovative strategies for developing a polymer-based construct that minimalizes these postoperative complications, yet none are routinely used in clinical practice. Understanding the role such constructs play in tendon repair should enable a more targeted approach. This review mainly describes the polymer-based constructs that show promising results in solving these complications, in the hope that one day these will be used as a routine practice in flexor tendon repair, increasing the well-being of the patients. In addition, the review also focuses on the incorporation of active compounds in these constructs, to provide an enhanced healing environment for the flexor tendon.

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