forelimb flexor tendon repair rehab - questions

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Hi All,I've just seen a dog for a lacerated, surgically repaired tendon injury; I've not rehabbed such a thing before and  am searching for suggestions. Zara is a 5 yr old Pointer agility dog who lacerated her right front distal flexor tendons in January while running in a field. They were surgically repaired.  I'm not sure of exactly which tendons and how badly injured because I did not get much history from the surgeon, just a referral form that said " flexor tendon laceration /repair with degloving wound of entire carpus/metacarpal area " . I plan to try and talk to him for more info. The dog was in a rigid splint for 8 wks then soft bandage for 4 weeks with EOD bandage changes and somewhere in there she had some kind of severe infection that required amikacin dosing. During this time the owner let her run free (and apparently run crazy) in large fields .She put the leg to the ground only intermittantly.  Bandage came off today. She is NWB most of the time whether standing, sitting or walking. She has significantly reduced carpal flexion, slightly reduced carpal extension, and a firm swelling on the lateral aspect of the carpus. She has severe hyperextension of the digits,giving her a very flat foot on this leg (the other paw is a tight cat foot). The owner is intending to let the dog run free in the fields again. I told her this was a bad idea but I don't know how restricted she will keep the dog. I have a video but it will take me some time to figure out how to post it (it's still in the camera)

My questions:1. Would a carpal support be the right thing now, I am thinking yes, I am thinking the Thera Paw Carpo Flex X OR Carpo flex sports wrap (I've never used these but am just looking on their web site)

2. the flat foot (hyperextended toes) -- is this typical from disuse and will it resolve with strengthening?3.I would welcome suggestions for appropriate exercises. Today I did laser of the area, ultrasound of the carpus (because I don't like the firm swelling, don't know what it is), carpal ROM and joint mobs and some light exercises like cavalettis and standing on a trampoline to encourage her to put her foot down. Owner is to do range of motion, weight shifting and some leash walking (ha ha, probably some field running too).

4. Timeline for recovery  - I know studies show tendons have only 79% of original strength even at 1 yr. I am thinking she needs 2 to 3 months of intensive rehab followed by another 3 to 4 months for return to sport. Does that sound realistic? The owner told me she was #2 Pointer in akc agility last year and she is really hoping to go back to claim that spot again.

thanksPam Mueller PhD DVM CCRT still pending