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What Determines the Costs of Repair and Rehabilitation of Flexor Tendon Injuries in Zone II? A Multiple Regression Analysis of Data from Southern Sweden

From the Department of Hand Surgery, Lund University, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, the Department of Community Medicine, Lund University, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, LUCHE, Lund University Centre for Health Economics, Lund and the Department of Economics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

Correspondence: Dr. H.E. Rosberg, Department of Hand Surgery, Malmö University Hospital, SE 205 02 Malmö, Sweden. Tel.: +46 40 33 17 25; Fax: +46 40 92 88 55; E-mail: hanse.rosberg{at}hand.mas.lu.se.

The epidemiology and costs of repair and rehabilitation of zone II flexor tendon injuries in 135 patients from the southern part of Sweden were analysed. The little finger was most frequently injured (43%), usually with a knife (46%), and 30% of the injuries were work related. Total median costs within the health-care sector for the injuries were SEK 48,500 (1 EURO=9.23 SEK, 4/1/2002). Costs in other sectors were SEK 93,000. Active mobilization or mobilization with rubber band traction increased costs within the health-care sector (SEK 7400 or SEK 6000, respectively) but improved range of movement (5–7%). Immobilization had a higher complication rate (rupture or need for secondary procedures), which in itself increased total costs by 57%. Nonlinear effects were found between age and costs within the health-care sector and the outcome.

Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume), Vol. 28, No. 2, 106-112 (2003)
DOI: 10.1016/S0266-7681(02)00352-2


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