My Orthopaedic Surgeon

Paralysis of the upper extremity produces major functional impairment. The ability to perform activities of daily life can be severely compromised, especially in bilateral paralysis. When muscle-tendon units remain functional in an extremity, consider sacrificing one function to restore another by transferring the working unit to a new location. Restoring something as simple as a pinch grip can create major improvement in the function of the extremity.
Synonyms and related keywords: tendon transfer, muscle transfers, activities of daily living, ADLs, muscle-tendon units, upper extremity reconstruction, obstetric brachioplexus palsy, brachial plexus palsy, tendon repair, hand reconstruction, hand function, polio, paralysis, hand surgery
Higgs & Baumeister 2006

Certain key elements play crucial roles in tendon transfer operations. Three important principles should be emphasized. First, the transfer should not significantly decrease the remaining function of the hand. Second, the transfer should not create a deformity if significant return of function occurs following a nerve repair. Third, the transfer should be phasic or capable of phase conservation.
Synonyms and related keywords: standard flexor carpi ulnaris transfer, FCU transfer, superficialis transfer, flexor digitorum superficialis transfer, FDS transfer, flexor carpi radialis transfer, FCR transfer, ulnar nerve palsy, low ulnar nerve palsy, flattened metacarpal arch, tenodesis, claw deformity, capsulodesis of the metacarpophalangeal joint, dorsal tenodesis, metacarpal arch restoration, median nerve palsy, Royle-Thompson opponensplasty, Bunnell opponensplasty, proprius extensor tendon opponensplasty, extrinsic replacement, muscle-tendon unit, muscle transfer, tendon transfer, muscle transplant, tendon transplant, muscle repair, tendon repair, muscle, tendon
Premal Sanghavi, MD & Mohammad Azhar Ali, MD 2006

At the end of the 19th century, physicians first realized that transferring tendons could restore function to an extremity. The crippling results of the polio epidemic in Europe contributed to the advancement of tendon transfers. In addition, as anesthesia and aseptic techniques developed, the skills and technical acumen of surgeons improved. With the contributions from such masters as Drs. Leo Mayer,1 Sterling Bunnell,2 Guy Pulvertaft,3 and Joseph Boyes,4 tendon transfer surgery expanded not only to those with polio and cerebral palsy, but also to those who required reconstructive surgery for traumatic injuries that were incurred during World War I. The fundamentals of tendon transfer surgery were discovered, and the field of reconstructive tendon surgery was established.
Synonyms and related keywords: reconstructive tendon surgery, tendon transfer surgery, claw hand, ulnar nerve paralysis, carpal tunnel syndrome, radial nerve palsy, tendon transplant, tendon transplantation, opponensplasty, adductorplasty, abductorplasty, Camitz procedure, Huber procedure, Littler method, Royle-Thompson procedure, Zancolli lasso procedure, Boyes transfer, Pulvertaft weave
Zeineh & Wilhelmi 2008