Relative active motion programs following extensor tendon repair: A pilot study using a prospective cohort and evaluating outcomes following orthotic interventions.

Study Design: Prospective cohort.

Introduction: The Immediate Controlled Active Motion program, used to manage extensor tendon repairs in the hand, immobilizes the wrist in an orthosis with the affected finger(s) placed in a separate yoke orthosis allowing controlled flexion.

Purpose: To compare our outcomes using similar programs in patients with simple extensor tendon lacerations to those previously reported.

Reliability testing of a new scar assessment tool, Matching Assessment of Scars and Photographs (MAPS).

A new scar-assessment tool, the Matching Assessment of Scars and Photographs (MAPS), which uses a set of reference photographs, a numeric scale, and location technique, was tested for its reliability in two stages. First, using five adults, three raters assessed 32 burns scars twice within 3 days. Subsequently, reliability was tested during a 6-month time frame, emphasizing the process of localizing test areas as scars changed and raters forgot the previous assessment.