Reconstruction of thumb opposing function by transfering the extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor pollicis longus muscle tendons

Objective To evaluate results of reconstructing thumb opposing function by transfering the extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor pollicis longus muscle tendons. Methods Forty-nine patients with dysfunction of thumb opposing were admitted to this study. Twenty-nine had median nerve injury in the wrist, twenty complicated ulnar nerve injury at the same time. Thumb opposing function of all patients was reconstructed by transfering the extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor pollicis longus muscle tendons. Results All patients with median nerve injury got satisfactory results. 80% of patients complicated ulnar nerve injury got fine therapeutic effect. Conclusion It is a convenient and efficient procedure that reconstructing thumb opposition function by transfering the extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor pollicis longus muscle tendons.