Flexor-tendon grafts in the less-than-optimum situation.
A series of forty-six flexor-tendon grafts in forty-one patients is evaluated. All of these patients presented less-than-optimum situations for tendon-grafting due to persistent joint stiffness, deep cicatrix, preliminary skin-grafting procedures, nerve damage, or severe multiple injuries.The results show a worth-while gain of flexion in the proximal interphalangeal joint of the fingers, but a poor gain in the distal interphalangeal joint. In the thumb this gain in flexion is less important for function if the intrinsic muscles are adequate. However, the importance of a flexor-tendon graft in the severely injured hand is judged by the contribution to the over-all function rather than the exact degree of motion obtained.
R M
RM
MCCORMACK
R J
RJ
DEMUTH
P H
PH
KINDLING
D002921:Cicatrix; D005121:Extremities; D005205:Fascia; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D005385:Fingers; D006225:Hand; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D009038:Motion; D018579:Patient Selection; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013708:Tendon Injuries; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D013933:Thumb; D019737:Transplants; D016896:Treatment Outcome