Extensor digiti minimi transfer for thumb extension.

Extensor indicis (EI) transfer is the commonest tendon transfer to restore thumb extension after loss of extensor pollicis longus (EPL) function. Rarely are there clinical situations when EI is not available as a donor motor and alternative techniques have to be employed. I report a successful reconstruction of thumb extension using Extensor digiti minimi (EDM) in an adult male patient in whom EI and Abductor pollicis longus (APL) were not available as donor motors. A literature review reveals that this is the first report of such a transfer in an adult; only one previous EDM transfer has been reported for thumb extension on a child in 2011.