6.3 Early active mobilisation

An early active mobilisation (EAM) protocol refers to active contraction of the repaired muscles [89, 90]. EAM has been shown to promote the formation of large diameter fibrils, and it demonstrates the greatest cellular response to injury [83]. There are many different EAM regimens in the literature [91, 92]. Gratton [93] combined the Belfast and Sheffield practices [89] to form a widely used regimen:


Physiology of Flexor Tendon Healing and Rationale for Treatment Protocols DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86064


It should be noted that EAM protocols should be individualised to the patient [73, 94] because advancement to the next phase of a protocol may be hindered or augmented based on the level of oedema, passive versus active flexion lags and adhesion formation [94].

Irrespective of whether or not a passive or active protocol is used, it has been shown that initiating a mobilisation therapy by postoperative day 5 decreases the rate of secondary procedures and decreases the costs of treatment [95].
