[Late results in the surgical treatment of camptodactylia]

Fifteen patients with camptodactyly were treated operatively by flexor tendon transfer for reconstruction of the muscle balance with or without arthroplasty. If necessary skin plasties were performed (Tab. 3). The follow-up time ranged from 3 to 12 years. The results show that the principal cause of the malformation is an imbalance between the flexion and extension forces. The best methods for correction of the flexion deformity were transfer of the superficialis tendon to the extensor apparatus or simple reinforcement of the apparatus in the region of the proximal interphalangeal joint. A major conclusion was that successful result will be obtained only in children and adolescents. Corrective operations in adults should therefore be no longer recommended.