OBJECTIVE To compare the gain in elbow flexion in patients with traumatic injury of the brachial plexus following muscle transfer from latissimus dorsi with the gain following free muscle transfer from the medial belly of the gastrocnemius. METHODS This was a retrospective study in which the medical files of a convenience sample of 13 patients operated between 2000 and 2010 were reviewed. Gro...

BACKGROUND The effect of elbow medial ulnar collateral ligament injury on posteromedial compartment contact is unknown. HYPOTHESIS Medial ulnar collateral ligament injury causes altered contact area and pressure in the posteromedial compartment of the elbow. STUDY DESIGN Controlled laboratory study. METHODS Seven elbow cadaveric specimens were tested in an apparatus that positioned the el...

OBJECTIVE Assessment of surgical outcomes of biceps tendon lengthening (BTL) surgery in obstetric brachial plexus injury (OBPI) patients with elbow flexion contractures, who had unsuccessful serial casting. BACKGROUND Serial casting and splinting have been shown to be effective in correcting elbow flexion contractures in OBPI. However, the possibilities of radial head dislocations and other c...

OBJECTIVE To carry out an anatomical study of the medial collateral ligament, an important elbow stabilizer in different degrees of elbow flexion-extension. METHODS Forty elbows were dissected in order to analyze the functional behavior of the anterior, posterior and transverse ligament bands during valgus stress maneuvers of the elbow in different degrees of flexion and extension. Two groups...

BACKGROUND Repetitive tensile stresses from valgus torque can induce elbow injury in adolescent baseball players. Insufficient hip range of motion (ROM) can change throwing mechanics, reducing the transfer of energy from the lower to the upper extremities. Thus, hip ROM limitations may force the upper extremities to bear the burden of a strong throw. Improper pitching mechanics caused by insuff...

Purpose Nerve transfers to restore elbow flexion have been described for traumatic brachial plexus palsy in adults. Indications are less frequent in infants and the results are less published. Methods Ten patients with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy were operated on for lack of flexion against gravity with ulnar or median nerve transfer to biceps motor branch. The primary endpoint was impr...

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to examine the immediate effects of strength training and neuromuscular joint facilitation (NJF) distal resistance training on muscle strength and proprioception. [Subjects] The subjects were 15 young healthy people (29.3±4.1 y, 166.8±7.1 cm, 62.4 ± 11.6 ky). [Methods] Two isometric contraction techniques were applied on the elbow joint: elbow joint flexi...

Seven pectoralis major transfers in children suffering from bilateral paralysis of elbow flexion due to arthrogryposis or to trauma are reported. A technique is described in which the muscle is mobilised from the clavicle to allow the tendon of insertion to be attached to the biceps tendon at the elbow. The biceps tendon was found to be present and could be mobilised forwards in all the arthrog...

The effects of increased response effort on levels of hand mouthing, leisure engagement, and adaptive elbow flexion were investigated with 2 individuals who had been diagnosed with profound disabilities. Arm restraints designed to alter the amount of physical effort necessary to engage in hand mouthing were used. Results indicated that the treatment strategy reduced levels of hand mouthing but ...

Median nerve to biceps nerve transfer in the arm has been reported only in adults. The following paper reports on 10 cases of this transfer in obstetric brachial plexus palsy. All patients had upper palsy (ERb's or extended ERb's palsy) and presented to the author late (13-19 months of age) with poor or no recovery of elbow flexion. Following the nerve transfer, nine children recovered elbow fl...