Brachioradialis transposition for elbow extension in obstetrical brachial plexus palsy

Disorders of elbow extension occur following traumatic or neurologic injuries of the triceps muscle. Restoration of elbow extension is an integral part of the entire upper extremity surgical reconstruction to improve the following daily activities: bringing down an object from above, handwriting, using the hand in the supine position, steering a wheelchair, driving a car, and swimming. The transfer of the posterior head of the deltoid muscle to triceps (Moberg procedure) and the transfer of the biceps to triceps (Friedenberg procedure) are previously described procedures for the functional restoration of triceps function. In conditions where these procedures cannot be used, we describe a new technique for restoration of elbow extension. In 4 cases with obstetrical palsy sequela, where shoulder abduction was established with the latissimus dorsi and teres major transfer, restoration of elbow extension was planned to aid in activities performed while the hand is above the head. To achieve this goal, the brachioradialis muscle was transposed bipedically to the triceps muscle.