Transfer of the flexor carpi ulnaris to the radial wrist extensors in cerebral palsy.

Fourteen patients with cerebral palsy who had had transfer of the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) to the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) and/or extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) were examined. Two questions were posed: (1) What was the postoperative arc of active wrist motion? and (2) Did the procedure improve the grasp and release mechanism in hand function? The procedure was successful in the majority of patients; wrist arc of motion was improved and grasp and release was enhanced after operation.