Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate both clinically and functionally the outcomes of an iontophoresis and rehabilitation program versus rehabilitation alone applied after tendon repair following hand tendon injuries.
 

Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine patients (5 F [17.2%], 24 M [82.7%]; mean age: 28.82±13.96 years) were included in the study. Group I (n=14) and Group II (n=15) patients were all included in a rehabilitation program and hand splints. In addition, Group I patients were given iontophoresis (2 mA) with 1% potassium iodide (KI), 5 days/week, for 3 weeks. Evaluations were made by goniometer for range of motion (ROM), Semmes Weinstein Monofilament Test (SWMT) for superficial sensory evaluation, Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) for hand dexterity, hand dynamometer and pinchmeter for grip strength and lateral, palmar and fingertip strengths, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) for daily living activities, and Functional Status scale for functional status before and after the 12 weeks rehabilitation program. 
 

Results: In Group I SWMT and in Group II, lateral strength showed significant improvement after treatment (p<0.05). Both groups showed significant improvement in flexion ROM of wrist, hand dexterity, grip strength, palmar and fingertip strengths, daily activities and functional status (p<0.05) after treatment compared with baseline results, but no significant difference was determined between the two groups.
 

Conclusions: Patients with hand tendon injuries demonstrated improvement in clinical findings in addition to improvement in functional status with appropriate rehabilitation, but KI iontophoresis had no additive effect on rehabilitation outcomes.