Thumb Contractures Research Articles

A new technique of flexor carpi ulnaris transfer in multilevel surgery for upper extremity deformities in spastic cerebral palsy.

Aim To assess treatment outcomes of cerebral palsy (CP) patients who underwent upper limb surgical treatment including new technique of flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) transfer. Methods The study included an outcome of orthopaedic surgeries in 30 upper limbs of 25 CP patients aged 10 to 24 years (mean age of 15.1 years). In addition to standard orthopaedic assessment, we used the integral scales of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS). Functional disorders of the upper limb were also evaluated with classifications of Van Heest, House, Gshwind and Tonkin. Results A total of 30 surgical interventions were performed. In seven patients with hemiparesis, surgical treatment was accompanied by simultaneous intervention on the lower limb. Improvement of the functional capabilities and cosmetic appearance was noted in all cases in a follow-up over 12 months, as evidenced by an improvement in the functional class according to Van Heest classification. Conclusion A new technique of FCU transfer to the radius showed to be an effective method to address pronation contracture of the forearm joints and can be used in combination with other elements of surgical intervention for elbow and thumb contractures. The FCU rerouting and transfer to distal radius is a good option in the absence of active supination. Distal release of FCU weakening flexion forces with a simultaneous procedure restoring active wrist extension provides satisfactory outcomes in the treatment of associated flexed wrist contracture.

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English

Reorientation osteotomy for the atypical clasp thumb in children with arthrogryposis.

Congenital thumb contractures are a well described but complex deformity to manage. Thumb contractures are common in patients with arthrogryposis. Many patients with arthrogryposis develop a supination, adduction, and flexion contracture at the thumb carpometacarpal join. Despite some thumb function, their thumb position and contracted first webspace precludes effective pinch or grasp, with the thumb opposing only to the palmar space. An extension, reorientation metacarpal osteotomy that places thumb in an efficient position has the potential to improve function in of these patients. This report provides a new classification system for congenital thumb deformities that can dictate management based upon thumb joint positions. We describe a previously unreported, arthrogrypotic thumb contracture that can be managed with an extension/pronation metacarpal osteotomy with simultaneous widening of the first webspace.

Collagenase for Dupuytren’s disease of the thumb

Injectable collagenase is an alternative to surgical treatment for Dupuytren's disease. Previous studies have reported on the effectiveness of collagenase in finger contractures. This prospective study reports on the short-term safety and efficacy of collagenase treatment in five thumb and first web space Dupuytren's contractures. The thumb and first web space contractures were treated with injectable collagenase in four consecutive patients (five hands) with experience of previous surgical digital fasciectomy. The thumb contracture was measured by angle and span in two planes of thumb extension and abduction before injection and after manipulation. Collagenase treatment resulted in release of the contracture with a mean increase in thumb to index angle from 23° (10° to 35°) to 56° (45° to 60°) in extension and from 30° (10° to 50°) to 58° (50° to 65°) in abduction and a mean increase in span from 1.9 cm (1 to 3.5) to 3.9 cm (3 to 5) in extension and from 2.4 cm (1.5 to 3.5) to 3.9 cm (3 to 4.5) in abduction. All patients reported an increased range of movement and function and described collagenase therapy as preferable to surgery. In the short-term collagenase is an effective, well-tolerated and safe alternative to surgery for Dupuytren's disease of the thumb.

Hand Involvement in Paraneoplastic Syndrome: A Case Report

Cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes are skin and mucous membrane changes that are associated with cancer. We report a previously healthy 76-year-old man who developed marked finger and thumb contracture, pain, and hypersensitivity of both hands who was diagnosed subsequently as having gastric carcinoma with colonic metastasis. After the gastrointestinal tumors were resected the finger and thumb contracture lessened and the pain eased. Both the temporal relationship between the changes in the hand and the neoplasm and the improvement after resection suggest a paraneoplastic syndrome.

“Dynamic Serial Casting:” Combining the Benefit of Movement and Stability in the Correction of Thumb Contractures

Journal Article “Dynamic Serial Casting:” Combining the Benefit of Movement and Stability in the Correction of Thumb Contractures Get access M. Spellman, PT, MS, M. Spellman, PT, MS 1Shriners Burns Hospital for Children, Galveston, TX Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar M. Serghiou, OTR, M. Serghiou, OTR 1Shriners Burns Hospital for Children, Galveston, TX Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar E. Evans, MD E. Evans, MD 1Shriners Burns Hospital for Children, Galveston, TX Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation, Volume 23, Issue suppl_2, March-April 2002, Page S151, https://doi.org/10.1097/00004630-200203002-00218 Published: 01 March 2002

Reconstruction of a Balanced Thumb Through Tendon Transfers

The ability to use the thumb determines its functional relation to the fingers and the resulting dexterity of the hand. Median palsy results in a failure of abduction and pronation. Ulnar palsy results in loss of adduction and flexion at the metacarpophalangeal joint. Following median, ulnar, and even radial palsy, the thumb can develop adduction deformity. Thumb contracture must be released prior to tendon transfers. Abduction and pronation are best substituted by transfer of the extensor indicis proprius. Adduction is best substituted by transfer of the extensor carpi radialis brevis and arthrodesis of the metacarpophalangeal joint. Median cutaneous sensibility should be reconstructed after appropriate tendon transfers are functional.

Classification and management of burned thumb contractures in children.

Based on the position of the thumb metacarpal, 102 burned thumb contractures in children were classified into four categories: adduction, opposition, extension and flexion. The contractures were further classified as mild, moderate or severe, based on the amount of motion lost. All thumbs were surgically released. Coverage was obtained with local flaps or Z-plasties, skin grafts or a combination of local flaps and skin grafts. Factors influencing the results were as follows: Classification category: Extension contractures generally did poorly, whereas flexion contractures did well. Severity of contracture: The more severe the contracture, the worse the final results. Complexity of contracture: Contractures with a subluxated or dislocated joint did not do as well as those with undisturbed bony alignment. Type of surgical release: There was a trend towards better results when skin grafts (as opposed to local flaps) were used, especially in the treatment of moderate and severe contractures.