Abstract
Upper-extremity management is only a fraction of the care and support system required
after spinal cord injury, however, the importance of upper-extremity function should
not be underestimated. The increased independence after upper-extremity reconstruction
greatly enhances the quality of life and the ability to perform activities of daily
living in persons with tetraplegia. Proper patient selection for upper-extremity reconstruction
requires a multidisciplinary approach because the patient must be stabilized from
a physical, emotional, and medical standpoint. The reconstruction algorithm is based
on the remaining function within the limb and the number of muscles available for
transfer. The functions integral to successful manipulation of objects (acquisition,
grasp, and release) are prioritized according to a hierarchy. This article discusses
upper-extremity management after tetraplegia and delineates the reconstructive ladder
for limb reconstruction. Copyright © 2002 by the American Society for Surgery of the
Hand
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References
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Article info
Publication history
1531-0914/02/0203-0004$35.00/0
Identification
Copyright
© 2002 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
