title: Rehabilitation After Surgical Reconstruction to Restore Function to the Upper Limb in Tetraplegia: A Changing Landscape.
abstract: Upper limb reconstructive surgical procedures for individuals with tetraplegia are performed in many centers internationally. Most recipients of surgery return to local communities and nonsurgical centers for postoperative rehabilitation and long-term follow-up. This supplement focuses on the clinical significance of upper extremity reconstruction, addressing issues related to the availability and choice for surgery, preoperative assessments, postoperative training paradigms, and appropriate outcome measures. Comprehensive intervention protocols are described in terms of dose, timing, specific activities, modalities, and related outcomes. Shared knowledge of current rehabilitation practice, as it relates to reconstructive surgery, can expand treatment options communicated to patients, increase the availability of postoperative muscle reeducation programs, and motivate long-term follow-up assessments.
authors.affiliation: Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA. Electronic address: lisa.johanson@va.gov.
authors.forename: M Elise
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Johanson
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D006801:Humans; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Outcome assessment (health care); Quadriplegia; Reconstructive surgical procedures; Rehabilitation; Spinal cord injuries; Tendon transfer; Therapeutics; Upper extremity