Logo of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (Br)
Joint Replacement Instrumentation Limited (JRI) Ad
Quick search:        
          Advanced Search
Guest Access | Sign In
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 90-B, Issue 3, 349-355.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.90B3.19830  
Copyright © 2008 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow FrenchSpanishGermanItalianRomanianPolishRussianCzechGreek
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow My Folders
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Kirjavainen, M.
Right arrow Articles by Nietosvaara, Y.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Kirjavainen, M.
Right arrow Articles by Nietosvaara, Y.

The function of the hand after operations for obstetric injuries to the brachial plexus

M. Kirjavainen, MD, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon1; V. Remes, MD, PhD, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon1; J. Peltonen, MD, PhD, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon2; S. Rautakorpi, OT, Occupational Therapist2; I. Helenius, MD, PhD, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon2; and Y. Nietosvaara, MD, PhD, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon2

1 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology
2 Hospital for Children and Adolescents Helsinki University Central Hospital, FIN-00029 HUS, PL266 Helsinki, Finland.

Correspondence should be sent to Dr M. Kirjavainen; e-mail: mikko.kirjavainen{at}welho.com

Hand function was evaluated in 105 patients who had been operated on in early infancy for brachial plexus birth palsy. The mean follow-up after surgery was for 13.4 years (5.0 to 31.5). Fine sensation, stereognosis, grip and pinch strength and the Raimondi scale were recorded.

Fine sensation was normal in 34 of 49 patients (69%) with C5–6 injury, 15 of 31 (48%) with C5–7 and in 8 of 25 (32%) with total injury. Loss of protective sensation or absent sensation was noted in some palmar areas of the hand in 12 of 105 patients (11%). Normal stereognosis was recorded in 88 of the 105 patients (84%), whereas only 9 of the 105 (9%) had normal grip strength. The mean Raimondi scale scores were 4.57 (3 to 5) (C5–6), 4.26 (1 to 5) (C5–7) and 2.16 (0 to 5) in patients with total injury.

The location of impaired sensation was related to the distribution of the root injury. Avulsion type of injury correlated with poor recovery of hand function.






(c) British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery All Rights Reserved
Registered charity no: 209299     Print ISSN: 0301-620X
Hip, Knee, Trauma, Upper limb, Foot & Ankle, Paediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Arthroplasty, General