Modified Total Intrinsic Rehabilitation Procedure for Ulnar Palsy

Abstract

Tendon transfer for ulnar palsy has been an area of interest for many a stalwart in hand surgery, especially in southeast Asian countries, mainly because of the prevalence of Hansen’s disease in these countries. Although the procedures look standardized, there are still many lacunae. Here in this article, we discuss about a surgical technique by which all the motor disabilities evolving due to ulnar nerve paralysis are addressed with three sets of tendon transfers performed in a single stage for: (1) key pinch restoration, (2) claw correction and adduction of fingers, and (3) claw correction and abduction of fingers.

Keywords

claw hand - metacarpophalangeal joint - tendon transfer - transverse metacarpal arch - ulnar palsy

Introduction

Ulnar nerve motors all muscles involved in fine intricate movements of the hand. When ulnar nerve is affected, it not only leads to claw deformity but the hand also becomes less efficient.

Paralysis of the intrinsic muscles results in impairment of fine intricate movements of the hand, precision grip, flattening of metacarpal arch, loss of power in key pinch, inability to cone or cup the hand, sensory loss along the ulnar border of hand, and volume loss in the entire hand. Overall precision and power in the hand are lost.[1] An ulnar paralytic hand can make a tripod grip with the help of median nerve innervated lumbricals, but when power is needed, it collapses. So, to have power in the hand, ulnar innervated muscles[2] are very important.

All the present transfers for ulnar nerve palsy mainly focus on correction of the claw (for metacarpophalangeal flexion and interphalangeal extension) and adduction of the four fingers except thumb. Certain procedures like Palande[3] technique of intrinsic reactivation also helps to regain the metacarpal arch, but none address restoration of key pinch mechanism and abduction of the fingers along with the regular claw correction. Our procedure corrects all the motor disabilities evolving due to ulnar nerve paralysis.

In our modified total intrinsic rehabilitation procedure, all the above-mentioned deficits are addressed with three sets of tendon transfers performed in a single stage for: (1) key pinch restoration, (2) claw correction and adduction of fingers, and (3) claw correction and abduction of fingers ([Fig. 1]).

Fig. 1 Schematic diagram of tendon transfers. (1) 1st set of tendon transfers. (2) 2nd set of tendon transfers. (3) 3rd set of tendon transfers. EI, extensor indicis; FDI, first dorsal interosseus; FDS, flexor digitorum superficialis; M, middle finger; R, ring finger.

Materials and Methods

Six patients were operated in our institution from 2011 to 2016 with this technique of tendon transfer ([Table 1]). Four of them had ulnar claw hand and two had total claw. Average duration of paralysis was 19 months and mean age of the patients was 41 years. Two patients (patients no. 5 and 6 in [Table 1]) were lost to follow-up.

Table 1 Preoperative patient details

No.	Age/Sex	Dominant/affected hand	Type of claw	Duration of paralysis	Cause	Low/High	Froment’s sign
Abbreviations: FDP, flexor digitorum profundus; ORIF, open reduction internal fixation.
1.	46/M	Right/right	Ulnar	3 years	Hansen’s disease	High with FDP M5	Positive
2.	14/M	Right/right	Total	1 year	Supracondylar fracture	High ulnar, high median, long flexors recovered	Positive
3.	25/F	Right/left	Ulnar	1.5 years	Ulnar nerve injury during implant removal for ORIF of humerus fracture	High ulnar with recovered long flexors	Positive
4.	67/M	Right/right	Tardy ulnar palsy	7 months	Supracondylar fracture	High ulnar with recovered long flexors	Positive
5.	61/M	Right/right	Ulnar	2 years	Hansen’s disease	High with FDP M5	Positive
6.	34/M	Right/right	Total	2 years	Gunshot injury to right shoulder	High with long flexors recovered	Positive

Functional outcome was assessed using Brand’s criteria.[4] The ability to cup and cone the hand was also assessed. Key pinch was assessed using Froment’s sign.

The ability to perform coning of the hand was categorized into three grades ([Table 2], [Fig. 2]). Cupping of the hand was also categorized into two grades–ability to cup and inability to cup ([Fig. 3]).

Table 2 Grading of coning of hand

Grading	Appearance
Excellent	All four fingers and thumb have pulp to pulp pinch
Good	Three fingers and thumb, except little finger, have pulp to pulp pinch
Poor	Only one or two fingers have pulp to pulp contact with thumb

Fig. 2 Grading of coning of hand.

Fig. 3 Grading of cupping of hand.

Surgical Technique

The first transfer is for key pinch. In key pinch, when the thumb adducts, the index finger has to stabilize[1] by abducting with the help of first dorsal interosseus (FDI), otherwise the index finger will collapse toward the ulnar side and there will be no power in key pinch.[5] The extensor indicis (EI) tendon is harvested by dorsal incision over the index finger metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ) and retrieved proximally distal to extensor retinaculum, split into two slips and tunneled separately to thumb and index finger, and attached to the adductor pollicis (AP) and FDI. The motor can be the EI or one of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendons. If EI is used as the motor, dorsal route is used to activate AP and FDI, and if FDS is used, it is routed across the palm to the respective insertions ([Fig. 4a, b]). For insertion to FDI, midlateral incision is placed at the level of MPJ.

Fig. 4 1st set of tendon transfer. Extensor indicis (EI)/flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) to adductor pollicis (AP) + first dorsal interosseus (FDI). (a) EI to AP + FDI. (b) FDS to AP + FDI.

The second transfer is for claw correction, that is, metacarpophalangeal flexion and adduction of all four fingers. Just like how the abduction is important in opening the fingers, adduction is essential for grasping, with the latter being stronger[6] than the former. FDS (M) is harvested by distal palmar crease incision and retrieved proximally in the palm. The same is split into four slips, tunneled volar to transverse metacarpal ligament to all lateral bands, which are exposed by separate dorsal incisions, and attached to them like in Brand’s[7] procedure, that is, along the ulnar side of index finger and radial side of mid, ring and little fingers ([Fig. 5]).

Fig. 5 2nd set of tendon transfer. Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) (M) to Ulnar lateral band of index finger and radial lateral bands of middle, ring and little fingers.

The third transfer is for metacarpophalangeal flexion and abduction of middle, ring and little fingers. FDS (R) is harvested and retrieved as mentioned above. The same is split into three slips. First, FDS (R) is separated into two slips, and one of them used for hypothenar insertion. The other slip is further split into two slips, tunneled volar to transverse metacarpal ligament, and attached to the lateral bands of ring and middle finger on the ulnar side ([Fig. 6]). For hypothenar insertion, midlateral incision is placed at the level of MPJ.

Fig. 6 3rd set of tendon transfer. FDS (R) to Ulnar lateral bands of middle, ring fingers and hypothenar insertion (red tags).

All the slips are looped around the tendon of insertion and sutured. First, we suture the FDS (M) slips. Next, FDS (R) slips are sutured. Finally, while suturing EI to FDI and AP, the thumb is kept midway between full abduction and adduction. At the end of the procedure, the hand in resting position should have normal finger cascade along with thumb index opposition ([Fig. 7]).

Fig. 7 Restoration of normal finger cascade at the end of procedure.

The hand is immobilized with wrist in neutral, MPJ in 70 to 80 degree flexion, interphalangeal joint (IPJ) straight with a dorsal and volar slab, and thumb midway between full abduction and adduction. Plaster of Paris slab is retained for 3 weeks and physiotherapy started. During the 4th week, the patient is advised to do active wrist flexion which, in turn, will lead to passive extension of all fingers; and active extension of the wrist which, in turn, will lead to passive flexion of all fingers. From the 5th to the 8th week, the patient is encouraged to actively extend and abduct all fingers and then to cone and cup the hand. Thereafter, they are encouraged to perform active flexion and adduction of all fingers together. Complete flexion of fingers to make a fist and passive flexion of fingers is done only after the 8th week.

Results

All hands were analyzed using Brand’s criteria[4] ([Tables 3]–[5]). A comparison has been made between preoperative and 3-year postoperative presentation.

Tables 3 Open hand analysis

	Type of claw	Open hand analysis
		Index		Middle		Ring		Little
		Preop	Postop	Preop	Postop	Preop	Postop	Preop	Postop
1	Ulnar					Fair	Excellent	Poor	Excellent
2	Total	Poor	Excellent	Poor	Excellent	Poor	Excellent	Poor	Excellent
3	Ulnar					Fair	Excellent	Poor	Excellent
4	Ulnar					Fair	Excellent	Fair	Excellent

Tables 4 Closed fist analysis and analysis of sequence of flexion

S.L. No.	Closed fist analysis		Sequence of flexion
	Preop	Postop	Preop	Postop
1	Fair	Excellent	Poor	Excellent
2	Fair	Good	Fair	Excellent
3	Good	Excellent	Good	Excellent
4	Poor	Poor	Fair	Good

Tables 5 Assessment of lumbrical position

	Type of claw	Assessment of lumbrical position
		Index		Middle		Ring		Little
		Pre op	Postop	Pre op	Postop	Pre op	Postop	Pre op	Postop
1	Ulnar					Fair	Excellent	Good	Excellent
2	Total	Good	Excellent	Good	Excellent	Fair	Excellent	Fair	Excellent
3	Ulnar					Fair	Excellent	Poor	Excellent
4	Ulnar					Good	Excellent	Fair	Excellent

Cupping and coning of the hands were also assessed, based on the criteria mentioned above ([Tables 6] and [7;] [Figs. 8–] [10, ] [Video 1])

Tables 6 Assessment of coning of hand

S.L. No.	Preop	Postop
1	Poor	Good
2	Poor	Excellent
3	Poor	Good
4	Poor	Good

Tables 7 Assessment of cupping of hand

S.L. No.	Preop	Postop
1	Unable to cup	Able to cup
2	Unable to cup	Able to cup
3	Unable to cup	Able to cup
4	Unable to cup	Able to cup

Fig. 8 Preoperative and postoperative images of coning of hand of all the four patients.

Fig. 9 Preoperative and postoperative image of cupping of hand of patient no. 3.

Fig. 10 Postoperative images of cupping of hand of patient nos. 1, 2 and 4.

Video 1

Patient no. 3 holding water in her palm by cupping. Online content including video sequences viewable at: https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/html/10.1055/s-0040-1718857.

Froment’s sign became negative for all the patients ([Fig. 11])

Fig. 11 Disappearance of Froment’s sign postoperatively.

Significant improvement was noted in all the parameters studied. The one drawback noted was inadequate adduction of little finger when compared with other fingers. One patient aged 67 years was not able to make a complete fist.

Case Study (Patient no.3)

A 25-year-old, right-handed female patient, housewife, presented with ulnar claw deformity of left hand for a duration of 18 months following supracondylar fracture. She had undergone anterior transposition of ulnar nerve 6 months after the injury in spite of which the symptoms did not improve. The strength of flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) of middle, ring and little fingers was M4 at the time of tendon transfer. The preoperative and postoperative images at 3 years of follow-up are shown ([Fig. 12a, b, c, d, e;] [Videos 1] and [2] [online only])

Fig. 12 (a) Open hand assessment–preoperative and postoperative. (b) Assessment of lumbrical position–preoperative and postoperative.(c) Assessment of key pinch–preoperative image showing z-deformity and postoperative image showing correction of z-deformity. (d) Coning of hand–preoperative and postoperative. (e) Cupping of hand–preoperative and postoperative.

Video 2

Patient trying to pull the key with her right hand, showing that there is no Froment’s sign or collapse of the thumb. Online content including video sequences viewable at: https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/html/10.1055/s-0040-1718857.

Discussion

In sublimis transfer of Stiles and Bunnell,[7] [8] sublimis tendon to each finger was harvested and connected to both lateral bands, which led to the development of intrinsic plus deformity. This was corrected by Littler’s[9] (modified Stiles–Bunnell) operation in which only one or two sublimis tendons were harvested, split into several strands, and transferred to the radial lateral band of index, middle, ring and little fingers. Brand[7] and Fritchi[8] used the ulnar lateral band of index finger instead of the radial lateral band. These transfers were helpful in flexing the MPJ, extending the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ), and also aided in adducting the fingers.

Zancolli[10] [10] described looping the tendon slips around common interosseous tendon in 2, 3, 4 web space as direct interosseous activation. This helped in the abduction of fingers.[10] By his total intrinsic reactivation, Palande[3] achieved reversal of metacarpal arch and convergence of fingers but neither did he address key pinch nor the abduction of fingers. Bunnell[3] also observed that metacarpal arch is essential for strength, and cupping of the hand and the fingers converging in flexion.

In key pinch, the resistance offered by index finger is increased by stacking up of other fingers behind it.[1] This is made possible by restoration of adduction of the latter. Previous transfers for restoration of key pinch were done either to AP or to FDI or to both.[12] Omer[13] described transfer to both with the single tendon.

Modified total intrinsic rehabilitation procedure not only corrects the claw deformity but also helps in restoring key pinch, cupping and coning of hand. With this, all the intrinsic deformities are corrected through single surgery which none of the current procedures address. Patients are able to cup their hand to take water and eat food, which are important in the Indian population.

Note

Presented in National Conference of Plastic Surgeons of India (APSICON) in 2018 and won the Dr. Ashok Raj Koul best innovation award.

Conflicts of Interest

None declared.

• References

• 1 Smith P. Lister’s The Hand: Diagnosis and Indications. 4th ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2002: 146
• 2 Smith P. Lister’s The Hand: Diagnosis and Indications. 4th ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2002: 148
• 3 Palande DD. Correction of intrinsic-minus hands associated with reversal of the transverse metacarpal arch.. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1983; 65 (04) 514-521
• 4 Brand PW. Paralytic claw hand; with special reference to paralysis in leprosy and treatment by the sublimis transfer of Stiles and Bunnell. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1958; 40-B [phone]
• 5 Green DP, Pederson WC, Hotchkiss RN. Green’s Operative Hand Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone; 1998: 1127
• 6 Pataky TC, Latash ML, Zatsiorsky VM. Multifinger ab- and adduction strength and coordination. J Hand Ther 2008; 21 (04) 377-385
• 7 Brand PW. Tendon grafting: illustrated by a new operation for intrinsic paralysis of the fingers. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1961; 43 (03) 444-453
• 8 ) Fritschi EP. The restoration of finger function. In: Reconstructive Surgery in Leprosy. Bristol (UK): John Wright & Sons; 42–65
• 9 Littler JW. Tendon transfers and arthrodeses in combined median and ulnar nerve paralysis. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1949; 31A [phone]
• 10 Zancolli EA. Structural and Dynamic Bases of Hand Surgery. 2nd ed. Philadelphia: JB Lippincott; 1979: 159-206
• 11 Peter CN, Richard JW. Plastic surgery. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2012: 767
• 12 Wolfe SW, Pederson WC, Hotchkiss RN, Kozin HS. Green's Operative Hand Surgery. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone; 2011: 1127
• 13 Green DP, Pederson WC, Hotchkiss RN. Green's Operative Hand Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone; 1999: 1536

Publication History

Article published online:
30 December 2020