The use of the pathokinesiology laboratory to select muscles for tendon transfers in the cerebral palsy hand.

Abstract

One hundred nine cerebral palsy hands referred for consideration for tendon transfers were examined clinically and by dynamic electromyography. Wire electromyography as used in gait analysis at the author's institution was employed in each of these cases. Most patients required transfers for release (opening) of the hand. The flexor carpi ulnaris and brachioradialis were the most common muscles active in release, yet even in those muscles, less than half were suitable for transfer. This suggests that the wire electromyogram is helpful in selecting the proper muscle for tendon transfer in the cerebral palsy hand.