We zoomed in on zone 5, starting with Isabel Mischke taking us step by step through the early active motion protocol. We then moved onto management of late referrals with Hannarie le Roux, who addressed how to deal with those difficult cases so prevalent in low- to middle-income countries.

We learnt about tissue healing timelines, how to use clinical reasoning to progress a patient, when to start various exercises safely, and how to deal with stiffness and tendon adhesions.

Participants left feeling much more confident to early active motion safely and effectively. They were encouraged to learn that it is never too late to help a patient with a flexor tendon injury, and discovered how to focus on function while using casting, splinting and exercises which incorporate activities of daily living.