Ann Rehabil Med.  2016 Apr;40(2):351-355. 10.5535/arm.2016.40.2.351.

Posterior Deltoid-to-Triceps Tendon Transfer for Elbow Extension in a Tetraplegia Patient: A Case Report

• Jeong JH
• Park JB
• Ahn DH
• Kim YR
• Hong MJ
• Lee YJ
• Park CI
• Heo YM

• KMID: 2309936
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2016.40.2.351

Abstract

In tetraplegia patients, activities of daily living are highly dependent on the remaining upper limb functions. In other countries, upper limb reconstruction surgery to improve function has been applied to diverse cases, but few cases have been reported in Korea. The current authors experienced a case of posterior deltoid-to-triceps tendon transfer and rehabilitation in a complete spinal cord injury with a C6 neurologic level, and we introduce the case-a 36-year-old man-with a literature review. The patient's muscle strength in C5 C6 muscles were normal, but C7 muscles were trace, and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM III) score was 24. The tendon of the posterior deltoid was transferred to the triceps brachii muscle, and then the patient received comprehensive rehabilitative treatment. His C7 muscle strength in the right upper extremity was enhanced from trace to fair, and his SCIM III score improved to 29.

Keyword

Tetraplegia; Tendon transfer; Upper extremity

MeSH Terms

Activities of Daily Living
Adult
Elbow*
Humans
Korea
Muscle Strength
Muscles
Quadriplegia*
Rehabilitation
Spinal Cord
Spinal Cord Injuries
Tendon Transfer*
Tendons*
Upper Extremity

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Postoperative bone union status of comminuted fracture in the 5th and 6th cervical vertebrae.

• 

  Fig. 2 The tendon transfer of the posterior deltoid to the triceps brachii muscle.

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