Rehabilitation following flexor tendon injury to the hand in African countries: a study protocol for a scoping review

摘要

Quality of life is enhanced by engagement in meaningful activities and participation using our hands. In African countries, people rely predominantly on the use of their hands to engage in economic productive activities, including agricultural, fishing, mining and construction, that are largely performed by machines in high-income contexts. Anecdotal evidence suggests a high incidence of flexor tendon injuries that are managed using protocols that were adopted from high-income countries and implemented without considering contextual differences. African therapists use discretion in selecting protocols thereby presenting inconsistency in tendon management. This result in challenges with ascertaining the most effective protocol, factors that influence protocols and the extent of evidence about flexor tendon rehabilitation in Africa. Therefore, this scoping review aims to provide evidence currently available on the rehabilitation of flexor tendons in African countries. This will synthesise the advantages and disadvantages of the current protocols and make proposals that are contextually relevant and cost-effective for rehabilitation of tendon injuries.