title: The radio-radial nerve transfer for elbow extension restoration in C5 to C7 nerve root injury.
abstract: Extension of the elbow is required to oppose gravity; however, activation of the triceps brachii is frequently underestimated during the surgical planning for brachial plexus injuries. This report aims to describe a novel technique of distal nerve transfer designed for elbow extension reconstruction in patients sustaining a C5-C7 nerve root injury. We report a patient sustaining a brachial plexus injury with triceps palsy and preserved finger extension motion; after careful intraneural dissection of the radial nerve, a fascicle innervating the extensor digitorum communis muscle was sectioned, derouted and connected to a motor branch to the lateral head of the triceps. Eleven months after surgery, elbow extension strength scored MRC M4. No deficits on finger extension were observed.
authors: Unit of Neurosurgery, Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal, Post-Graduate Program in Medical Sciences, University of Brasília, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil. leandroprettoflores@hotmail.com
authors: Leandro Pretto
authors: LP
authors: Flores
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation* / Q000473:pathology; D016067:Nerve Transfer / Q000379:methods*; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000637:transplantation*; D013710:Tendons / Q000294:innervation