An assessment of the effects of variations in the Palmaris longus tendon and the fifth superficial flexor digitorum on pinch and grip strength

INTRODUCTION: The effect of the absence or presence of the Palmaris longus tendon on pinch and grip strength was investigated in this study. Similarly, the effect of the presence or absence of the fifth superficial flexor digitorum on grip strength in the hand was studied. The aim of the present study was to assess the combined effect of these anatomical variations on pinch and grip strength. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 523 volunteers and their 1046 hands were enrolled. Each hand was assessed for the presence or absence of the Palmaris longus tendon and for variations in the fifth superficial flexor digitorum function. Then the grip and pinch power of the hands were measured with the Jammar Dynamometer. RESULTS: The presence or absence of Palmaris longus had no effect on grip strength in the individuals studied. Likewise, variations in fifth superficial flexor digitorum function had no effect on grip and pinch strengths. But the results of statistical testing showed the effect of the presence of Palmaris longus on pinch strength (25.38 lbs in hands with Palmaris present vs 24.43 lbs in hands without Palmaris). Pinch and grip power was higher in men than in women and in the right hand than in the left. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of the present study, it seems that absence of the Palmaris longus tendon is associated with a reduction in pinch strength but has no effect on grip strength, and the variations in the fifth superficial flexor digitorum (flexor digitorum superficialis, or FDS) have no effect on pinch and grip strengths. © 2020 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved

Introduction of a New Suture Method in Repair of Peripheral Nerves Injured with a Sharp Mechanism

BACKGROUND: The standard method for repair of an injured peripheal nerve is epineural repair with separate sutures. Herein we describe a method in which the nerve is sutured with continous sutures. In fact this method has not been utilized for nerve repair previously and our purpose was to compare it to the standard method. If it proved to be successful it would replace the standard method in certain circumstances. METHODS: The proposal of the clinical trial was given a reference number form the ethics comitee. 25 dogs in which the scaitic nerve was cut by a sharp blade under genaeral anesthesia were divided randomly into three groups: control (5 dogs), repair of sciatic nerve with simple sutures (10) and repair with continous sutures (10). In the control group the nerve was not repaired at all. After 6 weeks the dogs were killed and the nerve was studied by light and electronic microscopes. The amount of consumed suture material, time of repair, myelin thickness and axon diiameter were examined. Ultrastructural studies were performed to assess degeneration and regeneration findings. RESULTS: Time of repair and the amount of consumed suture material were significantly lower in the continous group (P<0.001). No difference was found with regard to light microscopy findings and regeneration was confirmed by electron microscopy in the continous group. CONCLUSION: The method described in the present study, provided a result similar to the standard method. Though undobtfully it has some limitations, can replace the standard method in many circumstances