Results of transfer of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendons to the flexor digitorum profundus tendons in adults with acquired spasticity of the hand.

Thirty-one patients who had transfer of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendons to the flexor digitorum profundus tendons en masse in thirty-four non-functional spastic hands were examined at an average of fifty months postoperatively. All of the patients had had a clenched-fist deformity preoperatively, with severe hygienic problems of the palmar skin and no active function of the hand. Postoperatively, all of the hands were in an open position, which allowed for good hygiene of the palmar surface. A minor wound infection developed in three patients. Neurectomy of the motor branch of the ulnar nerve distal to the Guyon canal was needed for control of spasticity of the intrinsic muscles in twenty-five hands. An intrinsic-minus deformity did not develop in any of the hands that had neurectomy of the ulnar nerve, although an intrinsic-plus deformity developed in seven of the nine hands that did not have a neurectomy.