An alternative treatment for contractures of the elderly institutionalized persons: Microinvasive percutaneous needle tenotomy of the finger flexors

Abstract

Large-needle tenotomy seems safe and effective for treating claw hand in fragile older patients.

Percutaneous Needle Tenotomy for the Treatment of Muscle and Tendon Contractures in Adults With Brain Damage: Results and Complications

“…The relevance of percutaneous needle tenotomy lies in the minimally invasive nature of the procedure underlined by several authors 18 : very short operating time (<10min per tendon), small cutaneous opening avoiding postoperative skin complications, possibilities to perform the gesture under local or locoregional anesthesia avoiding general anesthesia complications, and hospitalization (patients staying in the hospital for >1d) reduced to a strict minimum. Furthermore, this procedure does not impede the future possibility of performing open full tenotomy.…”

“…16 El Hage et al 17 reported a series of 27 children with severe brain damage operated with this technique for adductor longus contractures responsible for hip deformation. Schnitzler et al 18 published a report on 18 elderly patients with acquired deforming hypertonia treated with this technique for severe contracture of the finger flexors.…”

Emerging Technological Advances in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound

“…In a prospective randomized trial of open versus US-guided percutaneous trigger finger release, the US-guided approach resulted in fewer days of work missed and better cosmetic results in comparison with the open surgery technique [56]. Percutaneous needle tenotomy has been used successfully to treat muscle and tendon contractures associated with neurological disorders as an alternative to surgical lengthening or release [59,60]. US guidance can be used to enhance needle guidance in these procedures.…”

The effect of needle tenotomy on hammer, mallet and claw toe deformities in patients with diabetes, a retrospective study

“…However, several studies have been published on needle tenotomies performed on other indications e.g. talipes equino varus (clubfoot) in children, as a treatment of tendon contractures of patients with cerebral palsy and finger contractures of the institutionalized elderly patients [13], [14], [15].…”