ABSTRACT
Today we have many different surgical procedures available to correct deformity and disability of intrinsic minus fingers. Starting with tendon transfers inserted into the lateral bands of the extensor expansion in each finger, the evolution of different surgical methods for correcting intrinsic minus fingers is discussed in the light of post-operative problem situations and drawbacks that the author has come across in the last 15 years. It is affirmed that each procedure is meant for a particular hand in a particular situation and that it is necessary for a reconstructive surgeon to evaluate each hand on its own needs and deficits so as to decide on the choice of a particular type of surgical procedure required.
Subject(s)
Fingers/surgery , Humans , Leprosy/complications , Methods , Paralysis/etiology , Tendon Transfer , Time FactorsABSTRACT
The commonest deformities and disabilities of the thumb seen in this country are secondary to ulnar and median nerve paralysis because of leprosy. The small muscles of the thumb supplied by these nerves are paralysed causing instability, imbalance of muscular forces, deformities and disabilities. The clinical features of these together with principles of the various methods of surgical correction and their evaluation are presented and discussed in this paper.