Surgical rehabilitation of a tetraplegic hand: comparison of various methods of reconstructing an absent pinch and hook

This study focuses on surgical methods to restore hand functions like pinch and hook in patients with tetraplegia (paralysis of all four limbs) due to cervical spine injuries. The researchers compared different surgical techniques, such as tendon transfers and tenodesis, to reconstruct these functions and assessed their outcomes. The results showed that surgery can improve hand function in suitable tetraplegic patients, with specific techniques like PT and BR transfer to FDP proving more effective for hook reconstruction than FDP tenodesis alone.

• 1
  Both brachioradialis (BR) and pronator teres (PT) tendon transfers were equally effective for reconstructing key pinch.
• 2
  For hook reconstruction, PT and BR transfers to flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) were superior to FDP tenodesis.
• 3
  The functional outcome, assessed by the modified Lamb and Chan score, was good to fair in 70% of patients.