The Flexor Carpi Radialis Brevis: A Description of an Anomalous Wrist Flexor and Surgical Exposure Technique

Flexor Carpi Radialis Brevis: An Unusual Anomalous Muscle of the Wrist

During imaging studies or surgical procedures, anomalous forearm and wrist muscles are occasionally encountered. Among them, the flexor carpi radialis brevis is very rare. Because the trend is growing toward treating distal radius fractures with volar plating, the flexor carpi radialis brevis is worth knowing. Here, we report two cases with a review of the literature.

Surgical exposure of the Distal Radius in a patient with a flexor carpi radialis brevis muscle anomaly

There are numerous reports of anatomical variants of the muscles of the forearm, particularly the extensors of the wrist and hand. The abnormal deep and short radial wrist flexor (flexor carpi radialis) is rare. There are only two previously reported cases. We present the case of an anomalous 'flexor carpi radialis brevis', muscle found intra-operatively during a volar approach to the distal ra...

Fiber length variability within the flexor carpi ulnaris and flexor carpi radialis muscles: implications for surgical tendon transfer.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to understand the detailed architectural properties of the human flexor carpi radialis (FCR) and flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) muscles and their implications for tendon transfer surgery. METHODS Muscle fiber length was measured in 6 separate regions of the FCU and FCR from 10 cadaveric specimens. Sarcomere length was measured by laser diffraction for normali...

Painful Flexor Carpi Radialis Brevis Muscle: An Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment.

Lesions of the flexor carpi radialis tendon and sheath causing pain at the wrist.

Pain at the front of the radial side of the wrist or at the base of the thenar eminence is a common complaint. Conditions such as osteoarthritis of the first carpo-metacarpal joint, ununited fractures of the scaphoid bone and ganglia at the front of the wrist are easily recognised but the diagnosis may not be straightforward. Since 1952 we have operated on twelve patients who had pain from vari...