The Role of the Upper Extremity Surgeon in the Management of Tetraplegia

Despite its demonstrated benefits, the majority of patients with tetraplegia do not have upper extremity surgery. Many upper extremity surgeons are unfamiliar with the techniques, long-term care providers are often unaware of the options or are biased against surgery, and patients might resist surgery based on lack of awareness, misinformation, or hope of a cure. Although it is not without its challenges, some consensus as to a general algorithm for the care of the tetraplegic patient does exist. At the recent 10th International Meeting on Surgical Rehabilitation of the Tetraplegic Upper Limb, there was little disagreement about when and what surgery to perform. The physical examination tools, clinical decision making, and surgical skills required to treat this population should, therefore, be accessible to the vast majority of hand surgeons who wish to take on these rewarding cases. Patients with specific, realistic, functional goals will realize the best self-perceived outcomes.