Purpose: Objective and subjective evaluation of the results
of flexor digitorum superficialis tendon transfer for the restoration
of finger extension in irreparable radial nerve lesions.
Methods: Restoration of finger extension, thumb extension,
was done in 10 patients (seven with radial nerve and three
with posterior interossius nerve injury; age range: 5-60 years).
We used tendon transfer technique using the flexor digitorum
superficialis (FDS) 3 [to extensor pollicis longus (EPL)]
and FDS 4 [to extensor digitorum communis (EDC)] as donors
for the reconstruction of fingers and thumb extension (all
patients) and pronator teres (PT) for wrist extension.
Results: Eight patients (out of 10) yielded 'Excellent to
good' results: These patients showed marked improvement to
the motor power scoring M4-M5 on the MRC grading system
while 2 patients (out of 10) yielded 'Fair' results: Moderate
improvement to the motor power scoring M3 on the MRC
grading system.
Conclusions: The FDS transfer provides thumb extension
independent from the fingers and wrist extension, because
the FDS control for each finger is independent from the other
fingers