Evaluation of passive and active rehabilitation and of tendon repair for partial tendon lacerations after three weeks of healing in canines.

Background: Both passive and active rehabilitation have been shown to be superior to immobilization following partial tendon laceration, but few studies have directly compared these two rehabilitation protocols. In addition, controversy still remains over whether a partial tendon laceration should be repaired.

Methods: We evaluated gap formation, adhesions, gliding function and structural properties of repaired and unrepaired tendons following 3 weeks of unrestricted active rehabilitation versus passive mobilization for partial laceration of canine flexor digitorum profundus tendons.