Tendon transfers for restoring hand intrinsic muscle function: a biomechanical study.
Four fresh-frozen arms were biomechanically tested to determine the effect of the route of tendon transfer (dorsal vs volar) and the site of digital tendon insertion (A1 pulley, A2 pulley, proximal phalanx, or lateral band/extensor mechanism) on restoring metacarpophalangeal joint flexion and interphalangeal joint extension. A volar carpal canal route of tendon transfer appears to be more mechanically efficient than a dorsal intermetacarpal route. A lateral band insertion provides a small but significant increase in proximal interphalangeal and distal interphalangeal joint extension.
Lee
D H
DH
Division of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35233, USA.
Rodriguez
J A
JA
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D013709:Tendon Transfer / Q000379:methods*