%0 Journal Article
%T Surgical Management of Upper Extremity Deformities in Patients With Upper Motor Neuron Syndrome.
%A Rhee PC
%J J Hand Surg Am
%V 44
%N 3
%D Mar 2019
%M 30266480
%F 2.342
%R 10.1016/j.jhsa.2018.07.019
%X Injury to the central nervous system can create upper extremity deformities and dysfunction, typically caused by a cerebrovascular accident, traumatic brain injury, anoxic brain injury, or spinal cord injury. Regardless of the etiology, disruption of inhibitory upper motor neuron (UMN) pathways can lead to a constellation of symptoms such as muscle weakness, decreased motor control, hyperexcitable tendon reflexes, muscle spasticity, and agonist-antagonist cocontraction that characterizes a condition known as UMN syndrome. The magnitude of neurorecovery varies among patients who have sustained brain injuries and can be classified as having a functional or nonfunctional upper extremity based on the presence or absence of volitional motor control at a specific joint, respectively. Many surgical procedures can be employed to optimize function, decrease pain, improve hygiene, and enhance cosmesis in patients with UMN syndrome.