
The contribution of the palmaris longus muscle to the grip strength
Author(s) -
Özkan Köse
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
el ve mikrocerrahi
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2146-1155
DOI - 10.2399/emd.12.36844
Subject(s) - grip strength , tendon , wrist , medicine , muscle strength , hand strength , anatomy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery
Objectives: Palmaris longus (PL) is frequently used as a donor tendon in various wrist, hand and reconstructive surgery. It is believed that PL is a dispensable muscle that can be harvested without producing any func- tional loss at the donor hand. The purpose of this study is to compare the grip strength between normal subjects having the tendon and lacking it.Methods: Three hundred thirty three male subjects between 18 and 25 years of age were assessed for the presence of the PL tendon and grip strength was measured with a calibrated hydraulic hand dynamometer. Both dominant and non-dominant hands were divided into two groups according to the absence of PL tendon and grip strength was compared between groups.Results: The mean grip strength in dominant extremities lacking PL was 45.27+/-6.21 kg and having PL was 45.40+/-7.07 kg (p=0.899). The mean grip strength in non-dominant extremities lacking PL was 41.04+/-6.39 kg and having PL was 40.79+/-6.33 kg (p=0.782).Conclusion: Results of this study showed that grip strength is similar whether the subject has or does not have a PL. Patients may be informed that harvesting their PL tendon would not affect the functions of their hands. [Hand Microsurg 2012; 1(1.000): 7-9