The Effects of Radial Longitudinal Deficiency on Long-Term Use of the Thumb in Pediatric Patients Following Index Pollicization.

Purpose: To assess the effect of radial longitudinal deficiency on the function of pollicized digits as determined by the Thumb Grasp and Pinch (T-GAP) assessment.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 25 hands with thumb hypoplasia that underwent index finger pollicization. Patients were followed for an average of 10.

The Green Transfer-Long-Term Results.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term results of the Green transfer (flexor carpi ulnaris to extensor carpi radialis brevis) for patient-reported outcomes, wrist position, and range of motion.

Methods: We re-examined 13 patients from a previous prospective study involving surgery for hemiplegia that included a Green transfer. The average follow-up was 8 years with the range from 5 to 11 years.

Abductor Pollicis Longus Tendon Abnormalities and Release in Children With Congenital Clasped Thumb.

Background: Congenital clasped thumb is associated with deficient thumb extensor tendons. Reconstruction includes tendon transfer. Here, we describe a variant of the abductor pollicis longus (APL) tendon, not previously reported, contributing to the flexion deformity.

Inter- and Intrarater Reliability of the Thumb Grasp and Pinch Assessment for Children Following Index Pollicization for Congenital Thumb Hypoplasia.

Purpose: The Thumb Grasp and Pinch (T-GAP) assessment quantifies functional hand use in children with congenital thumb hypoplasia by categorizing grasp and thumb use patterns during assessment activities that encourage a variety of grasp and pinch styles. This study aims to demonstrate interrater and intrarater reliability results of the T-GAP.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of children who had undergone index finger pollicization for congenital thumb hypoplasia and subsequent evaluation with videotaping of the T-GAP assessment.

A New, Direct Measure of Thumb Use in Children After Index Pollicization for Congenital Thumb Hypoplasia.

Purpose: After index pollicization for congenital thumb hypoplasia, time-based hand dexterity tests do not indicate whether the new thumb is being used by a child. The Thumb Grasp and Pinch assessment (T-GAP) is a new outcome measure that classifies grasp and pinch styles to quantify use of the new thumb. The goal of this study was to establish concurrent validity and construct validity in the T-GAP.

Change in Hand Function and Dexterity with Age after Index Pollicization for Congenital Thumb Hypoplasia.

Background: Little is known about how performance on strength, range of motion, and dexterity measures changes as children with index finger pollicization mature. The authors reviewed performance in range of motion, strength, and dexterity over a 7-year period and report outcomes over time.

Methods: Data from children treated with index finger pollicization for congenital thumb hypoplasia from 2007 to 2014 were reviewed retrospectively.

The Effect of Treatment on Stereognosis in Children With Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy.

Purpose: To determine if rehabilitation alone or combined with surgery or botulinum toxin injection improved stereognosis in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Methods: Inclusion criteria were children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy who had stereognosis testing 2 separate times with documentation of intervening treatment. Sixty-three children were included, 30 girls and 33 boys at an average age of 9.

Affected and contralateral hand strength and dexterity measures in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

Purpose: To determine how the affected hemiplegic hand and contralateral dominant hand in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy compare with age-matched norms for grip strength, pinch strength, and dexterity.

Methods: We enrolled 37 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (26 boys; average age, 9.8 y).

Correlation of motor function and stereognosis impairment in upper limb cerebral palsy.

Purpose: To correlate motor function, as measured by the Jebsen-Taylor test, and sensory function, as measured by the 12-object stereognosis testing, in the hands of children with spastic hemiplegia due to cerebral palsy.

Methods: A chart review identified children with hemiplegic and triplegic cerebral palsy with stereognosis and Jebsen-Taylor testing between 1997 and 2008. Forty-one children were included in the study, including 22 girls and 19 boys, with an average age of 8.

The Unilateral Below Elbow Test: a function test for children with unilateral congenital below elbow deficiency.

The Unilateral Below Elbow Test (UBET) was developed to evaluate function in bimanual activities for both the prosthesis wearer and non-wearer. Nine tasks were chosen for each of four age-specific categories defined by development stages of hand function (2-4y, 5-7y, 8-10y, and 11-21y). Two scales, Completion of Task and Method of Use, were designed to rate performance.

Pediatric unilateral below-elbow amputees: retrospective analysis of 34 patients given multiple prosthetic options.

Thirty-four unilateral below-elbow amputees from the Shriners Hospitals for Children/Twin Cities were retrospectively analyzed in long-term follow-up. All of these patients were provided with a variety of prosthetic options, including a "passive" cosmetic upper extremity device. Most of the patients were also fitted with conventional prostheses using a body-powered voluntary closing terminal device (97%) as well as myoelectric prostheses (82%).