Indications Restoration of a strong, stable pinch between the pad of the thumb and the radiolateral aspect of the index finger is critical for spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. This facilitates manipulation of small objects, including pens and utensils for…
Indications After restoration of elbow extension, wrist extension is next on the reconstructive ladder for tetraplegic patients. This procedure is suitable for International Classification of Surgery of the Hand in Tetraplegia Group 1 patients who have available brachioradialis (BR) but…
Indications Restoration of elbow extension is critical for patients with tetraplegia. It enables patients to perform various overhead and manual activities and sets the stage for subsequent reconstruction of the upper extremity. Patients should have a supple elbow joint on…
This chapter gives an overview of the indications, clinical exam, and principles for the surgical treatment of spinal cord patients who desire reconstruction of the upper extremity. The corresponding procedure details are found in Chapter 70, Chapter 71, Chapter 72,…
Indications An anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) transfer to the motor branch of the ulnar nerve is used to restore ulnar intrinsic hand function. It is performed for both chronic ulnar nerve compression and acute high ulnar nerve injury. For chronic…
Indications Tendon transfers may be indicated to restore specific functions in patients with combined nerve injuries and resultant motor function loss with no expected recovery. Combined upper extremity nerve deficits typically result from severe trauma to the arm or after…
Indications Tendon transfers are indicated for patients with radial nerve injury who have failed to regain sufficient motor function. Critical deficits for patients with radial nerve injury include wrist extension, finger extension, and a combination of thumb extension and abduction.…
Tendon transfers for low and high ulnar nerve injury Indications Management of ulnar nerve injuries is challenging given the distance required to reach the distal innervation targets of the ulnar nerve in the hand. Tendon transfers are indicated for patients…
Indications In contrast to low median nerve injuries, the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) is harmed in high median nerve injuries. This causes a loss of thumb interphalangeal (IP) joint flexion and index finger IP joint flexion. Both high and low…
Indications Median nerve injuries are classified as “low” injuries if they arise distal to the branch of the anterior interosseous nerve, causing functional loss that is limited to the intrinsic muscles of the hand: the abductor pollicis brevis (APB), the…