PHTY303 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Motor Skill
Document Summary
Active extension of the wrist increases the passive tension in the paralysed finger and thumb muscles and pulls the finger and thumb muscles into flexion. The finger and thumb flexor muscles are only pulled taut by wrist extension because they cross the wrist joint. If these muscles are highly extensible, they will not be pulled taut by wrist extension. This stretch is not appropriate for the development of an effective tenodesis grip. This stretch increases the extensibility of the finger flexor muscles. The strength of the wrist extensor muscles is important for an effective tenodesis grip. Wrist flexion is an important part of the tenodesis grip. This allows the fingers and thumb to open. Consider the implications of finger flexion contractures for a tenodesis grip. Passive movements are widely advocated for the treatment and prevention of finger contractures. It is beneficial to hand function if the thumb ip joint becomes stiff into extension.
