title: Use of a free-functioning muscle transfer from a paralyzed lower extremity to restore upper extremity elbow flexion.
abstract: This report documents the use of a free-functioning gracilis muscle transfer from a lower extremity paralyzed from a spinal cord injury to restore elbow flexion in the patient's upper extremity which was paralyzed from a brachial plexus injury. The transfer was performed nine months after injury and resulted in functional elbow flexion. Clinical examination and EMG analysis document function of the transferred muscle with grade 4 muscle strength. The resultant effect on the skeletal muscle is different after upper motor neuron injury versus lower motor neuron injury. The successful function of a free-functioning muscle transfer after a spinal cord injury in this case has important implications for patients with spinal cord injury.
authors.affiliation: Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA. carlsen.brian@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Brian T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Carlsen
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wendt
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Spinner
authors.forename: Allen T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Bishop
authors.forename: Alexander Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents; D000328:Adult; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries; D004550:Elbow / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009049:Motorcycles; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D020196:Trauma, Nervous System / Q000601:surgery*