FUNCTIONAL HAND SURGERY FOLLOWING TETRAPLEGIA

Traumatic tetraplegia is an overwhelming injury often requiring perman ent adaptations by patients and families. The greatest potential for i mproving the quality of life lies with rehabilitation and restoration of upper extremity function. Reconstructive hand surgery following tet raplegia is individualized based on functional level and can significa ntly improve hand function and quality of life. Careful selection and evaluation of surgical candidates in combination with an experienced s urgeon and hand rehabilitation team are critical for a successful outc ome. (C) 1996 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation