Abstract
The charts of twenty-nine patients who had undergoine thirty musculocutaneous neurectomies for acquired spasticity of the elbow in a non-functional upper extremity were reviewed. The most common causes of the spasticity were cerebrovascular accident (59%) and head injury (24%). The aims of the operation were to increase the patient's capacity for self-care and to improve ambulation, personal hygiene, and appearance. Patients who had 30-degree flexion contractures preoperatively did not require a cast postoperatively; those who had 30 to 75-degree flexion contractures preoperatively required a cast postoperatively; and patients who had flexion contractures of more than 75 degrees preoperatively required a concomitant release of soft tissue in the elbow and application of a cast postoperatively. One patient who was operated on to improve appearance had no active elbow flexion postoperatively and was regarded as having a poor result. Musculocutaneous neurectomy is a safe, reliable procedure for treating the spastic elbow in the non-functional upper extremity.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 108-112 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - Series A |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 1980 |