SELECTIVE NEUROTOMY OF THE MUSCULAR-CUTANEOUS NERVE AS A WAY OF CORRECTING TONIC FLEXION CONTRACTURE OF THE ELBOW JOINT
The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of selective neurotomy of the musculocutaneous nerve for the treatment of flexion contracture of the elbow joint. The study is based on an analysis of the results of the examination and surgical treatment of 17 patients with cerebral palsy who were treated at the Turner Scientific Research Institute for Children’s Orthopedics from 2012 to 2020. The results of surgical treatment were evaluated by us on the basis of a system of functional tests, the amplitude of movements in the joints of the upper limb, according to the Ashworth and MACS scales. Analysis of the results allowed us to conclude that selective neurotomy n. musculo-cutaneus is an effective method of lowering the pathological tone of the flexor muscles of the elbow joint. On average, the active range of motion in the elbow joint increased by 67.9, and we rated this result as good. Good treatment results were observed in 88% of cases, which indicates the high effectiveness of this type of treatment. Unfortunately, the effect of this type of tonus-lowering treatment on other joints of the upper limb was minimal. This is also confirmed by functional tests: we noted a natural positive dynamics of only those tests that are directly dependent on active movements in the elbow joint.