TREATMENT OF SPASTIC THUMB-IN-PALM DEFORMITY - A MODIFIED EXTENSOR POLLICIS LONGUS TENDON REROUTING

Fourteen patients (15 hands) with spastic thumb-in-palm deformities we re treated with a modified technique of extensor pollicis longus tendo n rerouting. Twelve patients obtained satisfactory correction of their deformities. Although functional improvement was not always anticipat ed, it was achieved to some degree in 12 patients. Extensor pollicis l ongus tendon rerouting can provide satisfactory correction of severe t humb-in-palm deformity especially when combined with other procedures such as metacarpophalangeal joint arthrodesis and thumb intrinsic musc le release. The modified rerouting technique can be done with a single incision and allows easy adjustment of tension.