Improvements in activities of daily living following functional hand surgery for treatment of lesions to the cervical spinal cord: self-assessment by patients

Abstract

Study design: Tetraplegic patients were tested for hand strength before and after hand surgery. They also answered questions about how they rated the results of surgery.

Objectives: Presentation of the efficacy of reconstruction of hand raising, lateral grip, and cylindrical grip in the tetraplegic hand.

Setting: The study was conducted in the Werner Wicker Clinic, Bad Wildungen, Germany, from 1991 to 1998.

Methods: The results of reconstruction surgery performed on 23 tetraplegic hands, as reflected in lifting the hand (n=3), lateral grip (n=21), and cylindrical grip (n=14), are presented. In a follow-up study in 22 patients, their management of activities of daily living 34.1 months (9-51 months) after the surgery is compared with the preoperative situation. Subjective satisfaction levels were elicited for each of the 22 patients by means of a questionnaire.

Results: The gain in force corresponded to 893 g (150-1500 g) for cyclindrical grip and 488 g (100-1200 g) for lateral grip, while they were able to develop grade 4 force for lifting the hand. After the operation 28 aids/appliances that patients had formerly used regularly were no longer necessary. There were 75 separate activities listed in the questionnaire, and on average the 22 patients were able to perform 8.7 (0-20) more of these. Most patients (19) said they would advise others to have the operation and 18, that they would have the operation again. There were 12 complications in nine patients.

Conclusion: Reconstructive surgery on the hands of tetraplegic patients leads to gains in both cylindrical grip and lateral grip force and to increased manual dexterity. Patient satisfaction with the procedure is high.