Linburg-Comstock anomaly in musicians.

Abstract

Anomalous tendon connections from the flexor pollicis longus to the index finger flexor digitorum profundus cause lack of independent excursion of the flexor pollicis longus, first described in 1979 by Linburg-Comstock. This anatomical variation is potentially problematic for musicians. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of this anomaly in musicians and to operate on the symptomatic patients with a limited incision with the help of magnetic resonance imaging. We studied the incidence of the anomaly among 136 musician volunteers. A lower incidence rate of the anomaly was determined in this study. One of the symptomatic musicians was operated on and the tendinous connection was excised. Clinical examination of 136 volunteers suggested that the anomaly was present in 13% of the volunteers; unilateral in 9% and bilateral in 4%. Follow-up of the patient who was operated on revealed full pain-free function without any complaint. Surgical treatment although rarely necessary, is simple and effective.