Dynamic lumbrical muscle transfer for correction of posttraumatic extensor tendon subluxation

Posttraumatic ulnar subluxation of the extensor tendon over the metacarpal head results from rupture of the radial sagittal fibers. The patient will complain of limited digital extension and pain. Various techniques have been described to correct the disorder by either reefing the sagittal fibers or using a slip of extensor tendon around the radial collateral ligament. Unfortunately, these techniques are either technically not feasible, reefing of the sagittal fibers, or result in significant stiffness, using a strip of extensor tendon. The author describes an extraarticular technique which uses a dynamic muscle transfer that is synergistic with metacarpophalangeal flexion.