Table 4.

Outcomes of the studies included in the analysis continued.

Reference	Rehabilitative methods	Complications
(14)	The whole hand including the digits was put into a bulky dressing, and a dorsal splint was applied to keep the wrist in 30° of flexion, the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints in 70° of flexion and the interphalangeal	No complications reported.
	joints (IPJs) in the neutral position. Passive flexion active
	extension using rubber band traction was
	started at day 3. This position was kept for 4 weeks,
	and the splint was never removed during this period.
	At 4-6 weeks, the splint was changed with another
	one maintaining the wrist in neutral to 10° of flexion
	and the MCP joints in 40° of flexion, and the same programme of rubber band traction was
	continued with a wider range of movement.
(10)	First 3 days, immobile. 3-28 days, passive flexion and active extension.	3 pts developed cold intolerance.
	At 28 days, active controlled flexion and passive controlled extension. At 6 weeks, passive extension for wrist and fingers with active movements on removing cast.
	At 8 weeks, strengthening exercises started.
(11)	Dorsal dynamic clamdigger splint wrist in 20-45° of flexion, MCP joints in 40-60° of flexion and IPJs allowed full extension. 0-4 weeks, active extension and passive finger flexion. 4-6 weeks, protective early motion, and flexion bands were removed. 6-8 weeks, splint removed. At 8 weeks, light resistance exercises. At 12 weeks, normal activity.	1 pt – neuroma of median nerve that had excision and sural nerve graft.
		1 pt – neurolysis of the median nerve.
(12)	Not detailed.	No complications reported.
(13)	Not reported.	7 pts – anaesthetic hands.
(1)	After surgery, a dynamic dorsal splint is placed in pts	4 pts – minor deformity (partial clawing).
	with the wrist in 20–45° of flexion, the MCP	1 pt – major deformity (total clawing).
	joints in 40–60° of flexion, and the IPJs are allowed full extension at 0–4 weeks and active extension and passive finger flexion are performed. At 4–6 weeks, the splint is
	removed, and the pt begins protective early motion.
	At 6–8 weeks, tendon gliding exercises are initiated, and
	light activity of daily living exercises is encouraged. At 8
	weeks, blocking and light resistance exercises begin; full
	resistance is prohibited. At 12 weeks, there is return to full activity.
(14)	Following surgery, the wrist was immobilised in 20–30° of flexion in a dynamic posterior plaster splint for 3 weeks. The wrist was then gradually neutralised with a thermoplastic splint over an average of 6 weeks. Post-operatively, in the first 4 weeks, active extension and passive finger flexion were carried out. At 4–6 weeks, the pt began protective early motion (progressive active flexion) while continuing the passive mobilisation regimen. The flexion bands were then removed; however, the splints were left. At week 8, blocking and light resistance exercises were begun, although full resistance was prohibited. At this time, a slight load was permitted, increasing to a full load within 10–12 weeks post-operatively.	1 pt – developed a median nerve neuroma.
(15)	After surgery, the hands and wrists had been splinted dorsally with 15° of wrist flexion, MCP joints with 20° of flexion and fingers in full extension.	Not reported.
	The splint was used for 45 days. The motion of fingers began on the second post-operative day with passive flexion and active extension.