INDEX FINGER EXTENSION AND STRENGTH AFTER EXTENSOR INDICIS PROPRIUS TRANSFER

We reviewed the long-term morbidity of the donor index finger followin g extensor indicis proprius tendon transfer in 34 patients with an ave rage follow-up period of 8 years. An extension lag of the donor index was found to present in 24 patients. In all patients a reduced extensi on strength of the donor index finger was noticed, either measured dep endently (with concurrent long finger extension) or independently (wit hout long finger extension). Despite these findings, 30 of the patient s described no limitations in their daily life activities. In nearly a ll patients the dependent extension strength was superior to the indep endent extension strength. To prevent an extension lag, the surgeon sh ould avoid surgical trauma to the dorsal aponeurosis (''hood'') by sec tioning the index tendon proximal to the hood.