Hand function after muscle transfer in spastic hemiparesis patients.

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic surgery
• Pediatric neurology
• Rehabilitation medicine

Background:

• Spastic hemiparesis in cerebral palsy presents significant upper extremity challenges.
• Interventions aim to reduce contractures, enhance hand function, and improve mobility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate hand function following tendon transfer surgery in spastic hemiparesis.
• Assess the impact of surgical intervention on upper limb function in cerebral palsy patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 30 patients (GMFCS II-III, MACS 2-3) with spastic hemiplegia.
• Inclusion of patients undergoing muscle transfer surgery with a minimum 2-year follow-up.
• Exclusion of patients with dystonia, bilateral involvement, or prior upper limb surgery.

Main Results:

• Patients reported improved self-perceived functional gains, including grasp and self-feeding.
• Objective improvements in hand and forearm alignment were observed post-surgery.
• Functional classification according to Zancolli improved, while MACS classification remained unchanged.

Conclusions:

• Tendon transfer surgery effectively enhances upper extremity function and position in spastic hemiplegic patients.
• Careful patient selection and standardized outcome reporting are essential for successful surgical management.
• Experienced multidisciplinary teams are vital for selecting appropriate procedures and achieving optimal results.