Muscle Transplant Procedures, Stabilization of Relaxed or Flail Joint
Muscle transplant procedure involves removing all the origin and the insertions of a muscle. The neurovascular pedicle is also removed. This procedure is not as popular as tendon transfer due to the challenges that accompany finding a normal muscle to transplant, the technical difficulty of the procedure, donor-site morbidity, and the insufficiency of microvascular surgeons in developing countries where residual polio is still seen.
Irregular motion of joints is a common feature of poliomyelitis. Fixation of ligaments, tenodesis, and building or artificial check ligaments can help restrict the range of movement. However, it is important to note that these procedures can result in some complications such as deformity in the opposite direction may occur. In some cases, the tendon or artificial check ligaments may become weak with time. Stabilization of weak joints is helpful in treating patients that don’t have a completely developed skeletal system.