[Restoration of supination of forearm by flexor carpi radialis transfer]

The dysfunction of supination of forearm following injury of brachial plexus or poliomyelitis always affects the function of hand. To find the dynamic muscle for restoration of the supination, the flexor carpi radialis was investigated on fifty male cadavers. The blood supply of the muscle was polygenic, mainly derived from the humoral and radial arteries. The movement of the muscle was innervated by median nerve. If the proximal 1/3 belly of the muscle was reserved, the blood supply and innervation of the complete muscle was reserved. According to the anatomic data, the operative procedure was designed as following: transfer the distal 2/3 of flexor carpi radialis over the ulnar aspect of the forearm to the dorsal-radial side, the tendon was fixed on the radius shaft 6 to 10 cm proximal to the styloid process with forearm in full supination. Four patients were treated and after followed up for 3.2 years average, the supination restored. It was discussed that in case of paralysis of the flexor carpi ulnaris and pronator teres, the optimal choice to restore the supination would be flexor carpi radialis.