Free tendon interposition grafting for the repair of ruptured extensor tendons in the rheumatoid hand. A clinical and biomechanical assessment.
Sixteen ruptured extensor tendons were repaired in seven rheumatoid hands using autogenous palmaris longus tendon as a free interposition graft. The patients were reviewed at an average of 17 months (range, 5-45) after repair. Subjectively all patients were satisfied with the clinical results, and achieved a return to their level of ability before tendon rupture. A biomechanical model suggests that tendon repair using an interposition graft, rather than a traditional end-to-side tendon transfer retains the anatomical axis of tendon function, and achieves greater forces during active finger extension.
Mountney
J
J
Northern General Hospital NHS Trust, Sheffield, UK.
Blundell
C M
CM
McArthur
P
P
Stanley
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D005385:Fingers / Q000503:physiopathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D013709:Tendon Transfer; D013710:Tendons / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous