[Functional reconstruction of hands with irreversible radial nerve injury]

To evaluate the effect of tendon transfer on reconstructing the extension of wrist, thumb and digit after irreversible radial nerve injury.

From January 1987 to February 2005, 25 cases of irreversible radial nerve injury were treated with Riordan tendon transfer. Among them there were 19 cases of central radial nerve injury with wrist, thumb and digit extension dysfunction and 6 cases of deep branch of radial nerve injury with digit and thumb extension dysfunction. The muscle strength of wrist and digit extension ranged from grade 0 to grade I . Tendon transfer was done 4 months to 8 years after their injuries.

Twenty-three cases were followed up for 3 to 60 months. According to the standard established by Chen Desong, 19 cases (82.6%) showed excellent and good results. Fair result was showed in 2 cases and poor result was showed in 2 cases.

Riordan tendon transfer should be the first choice of treating irreversible radial nerve injury.