Analysis of posterior deltoid function one year after surgical restoration of elbow extension

Richard L. Lieber*, Jan Fridén, Toni Hobbs, Alastair G. Rothwell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to measure the extent and timing of elbow extension torque recovery after posterior deltoid-to-triceps tendon transfer. Methods: Elbow extension moment was measured in 40 limbs from 23 patients who underwent surgical restoration using the posterior deltoid-to-triceps tendon transfer at times ranging from 8 weeks to 1 year after surgery. For comparison purposes, elbow extension moment also was measured in healthy controls and persons with C7 spinal cord injuries. Results: Maximum extension moment was 5.89 ± 0.24 Nm (mean ± standard error of mean, n = 40), which corresponds to approximately 65% of the predicted posterior deltoid force and provided an adequate moment to oppose gravity. Based on the shape of the moment-joint angle curve and using a biomechanical model, it was predicted that posterior deltoid was inserted at a relatively short muscle length of 123.1 mm and thus operated exclusively on the ascending limb of the length-tension relationship. Conclusions: These observations support an evolving model of muscle architecture in which connective tissue septa restrict muscle fiber elongation during surgical tensioning of the tendon transfer. This relatively short length would result in a significant force loss should any of the repair sites slip or stretch during rehabilitation. These data have implications for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of this patient population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)288-293
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Hand Surgery
Volume28
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2003

Funding

Supported by the Department of Veteran Affairs, National Institutes of Health grant AR40539, the Swedish Research Council grant 11200, and Göteborg University.

Keywords

  • Anastomosis
  • Muscle physiology
  • Rehabilitation
  • Tendon transfer
  • Tetraplegia surgery

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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