A modified tendon transference for radial nerve paralysis.

In 1921 Sir Robert Jones described his technique of tendon transference for cases of irreparable damage of the radial nerve. In the original Jones’s technique and its several modifications (Billington 1922, Luckey and McPherson 1947, Scuderi 1949) the pronator teres is transferred to the two radial wrist extensors. This leads to ugly radial deviation on attempted dorsifiexion of the wrist (Fig. I). Moreover, it leads to a weak grip. In an attempt to reduce the radial deviation, Omer (1968) and Brooks (1969) transferred the pronator teres to the extensor carpi radialis brevis only. To overcome a weak grip, Parker (1963) advised arthrodesis of the wrist in addition to tendon transference. Riordan (1968), on the other hand, was opposed to wrist arthrodesis because its movements help the movements of the fingers and thumb.