Abductor pollicis longus deviation grant operation: a new procedure on the thumb in ulnar cum low median palsy for correction of subluxation of carpometacarpal (CMC) joint.

ABSTRACT

For correction of instability of the carpometacarpal joint (CMC joint) of the thumb in combined paralysis of ulnar and median nerves in leprosy bone fusing procedures have been used, but they are not desirable and can often be avoided. A procedure analogous to the "Extensor pollicis brevis deviation graft operation" for the correction of instability of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb is described here. The new procedure appears to be useful to correct and stabilize the subluxated carpometacarpal joint of the thumb actively during the use of the hand. When thumb web contracture has occurred and the passive range of movement needed for successful opponents replacement of thumb is not available, this new procedure helps to prepare such a severe deformed thumb for correction at earlier time.