Isolated contracture of the abductor digiti minimi

Spontaneous contractures of both abductor digiti minimi muscles in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

A case is reported of spontaneous contracture of both little fingers in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. Operative release of abductor digiti minimi produced a good result. It seems likely that the cause of the contracture of ADM may have been myositis related to SLE.

Perfusion of the abductor digiti quinti after transfer on a neurovascular pedicle

The perfusion to the abductor digiti quinti muscle was measured, both before and after, opponensplasty transfer on its neurovascular pedicle in six monkeys, with use of the hydrogen wash-out technique to determine blood flow. The musculotendinous unit can be transferred without vascular compromise, but detachment of the abductor digiti quinti from its origin on the pisiform results in ischemia. Such impairment of blood flow to the muscle may be responsible for the postoperative fibrosis, which has been seen as a complication of the procedure.