Finger problems and surgery
Finger problems and surgery
I have read that the success rate with finger problems for adults is lower because by the time the nerve regenerates the muscle in the finger no longer will respond to enervation? Anybody had surgery to correct finger problems? What are the risks?
Re: Finger problems and surgery
Tell us more about the specifics of your injury. Last year I read an article about a bpi patient who did get finger innervation, but when looking for it today I couldn't find it. I asked Mayo about it back then but they said since John had avulsed all five nerves he wouldn't be a candidate for the procedure. So... sounds like something might be out there but would require a more limited injury.
Ellen
Ellen
Re: Finger problems and surgery
The problem with reinnervating fingers is the small size of the intrinsic muscles within the hand and the speed at which they atrophy.
The intrinsics help the fingers with the more intricate and precise movements of the fingers. The muscles in the upper arm actually do all the heavy work, like making a fist and gripping. If you make a fist and watch the muscles in your arm, you'll see what I mean.
This is what they utilise when doing tendon transfers and other surgical procedures. Ellen B knows far more about these procedures, but from what I understand, it would be preferable to have at least one or two muscles in the upper arm working normally to be able to use for tendon transfers, otherwise muscle transplants could be used.
Unfortunately, I have never heard of anyone getting the precise and delicate movements back in all the fingers, but it's something they (the surgeons etc) are constantly working on to improve the results of surgery.
Lizzy B
The intrinsics help the fingers with the more intricate and precise movements of the fingers. The muscles in the upper arm actually do all the heavy work, like making a fist and gripping. If you make a fist and watch the muscles in your arm, you'll see what I mean.
This is what they utilise when doing tendon transfers and other surgical procedures. Ellen B knows far more about these procedures, but from what I understand, it would be preferable to have at least one or two muscles in the upper arm working normally to be able to use for tendon transfers, otherwise muscle transplants could be used.
Unfortunately, I have never heard of anyone getting the precise and delicate movements back in all the fingers, but it's something they (the surgeons etc) are constantly working on to improve the results of surgery.
Lizzy B
Re: Finger problems and surgery
Richard,
I never did find the specific article I was looking for re regaining finger movement, but the url below has TONS of articles about bpi by various doctors (including Carlstedt in UK who has gotten hand function back - but the surgery was soon after the accident). I can't open pdf at home, but take a look at these - you might find something.
Ellen
I never did find the specific article I was looking for re regaining finger movement, but the url below has TONS of articles about bpi by various doctors (including Carlstedt in UK who has gotten hand function back - but the surgery was soon after the accident). I can't open pdf at home, but take a look at these - you might find something.
Ellen