Therapeutic Strategies in Flexor Tendon Lesions: A One-Year Retrospective Study to Guide Rehabilitation Protocol Standardization

Flexor tendon injuries of the hand are a common yet complex clinical challenge in reconstructive surgery, predominantly affecting young, working-age individuals and often resulting in significant functional impairment. Successful management requires a precise surgical approach combined with a structured, zone-specific rehabilitation protocol to restore optimal hand function. A one-year retrospective study was conducted in the Clinic of Plastic Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery at the Clinical Emergency Hospital Bucharest, reviewing the medical records of all patients admitted with traumatic flexor tendon injuries of the upper limb. A total of 58 patients with surgically confirmed flexor tendon injuries were included. Collected data encompassed demographic information, injury mechanism and anatomical location, zone classification, associated neurovascular injuries, timing and type of surgical intervention, and the rehabilitation protocols applied. All patients underwent operative treatment, followed by individualized rehabilitation programs tailored to the anatomical zone and severity of the injury. The data were analysed to identify patterns in injury aetiology, characteristics, and treatment strategies. These findings were compared with current literature and formed the basis for the development of a comprehensive, standardized rehabilitation protocol for flexor tendon injuries of the upper limb.