Understanding the procedure
A tendon transfer redirects the pull of a working muscle to perform an action that has been lost. For wrist drop, selected forearm tendons can be attached to the tendons that extend the wrist, fingers or thumb. This changes how movement is produced rather than repairing the injured nerve.
When might it be considered?
- Persistent loss of wrist or finger extension after radial nerve injury.
- Difficulty opening the hand, grasping objects or releasing them.
- Available donor muscles and joints with enough passive movement for reconstruction.
Specialist assessment
Assessment checks recovery potential, donor muscle strength, joint flexibility, sensation and the condition of the skin and tendons. Hand therapy helps define practical goals and prepare for the rehabilitation required.
Treatment & recovery
The combination of transfers is individualised. Protection in a cast or splint is followed by supervised retraining and gradual strengthening. Risks include stiffness, scarring, reduced donor strength, tendon failure and incomplete improvement. Recovery takes sustained practice and follow-up.
Common questions
Will I need to learn a new way to move my hand?
Yes. Therapy teaches you to use the transferred muscle for its new action and then integrate it into everyday tasks.
Can a tendon transfer restore feeling?
Its purpose is to improve movement. Sensory loss requires separate assessment and protective advice.
General patient information from London Nerve Injury. Decisions about investigations and treatment require an individual clinical assessment.