Wartenberg described the clinical sign of the abducted extended small finger that can result from ulnar nerve palsy. When this sign occurs in ulnar nerve palsy, it is a result of imbalance created by paralysis of the third volar interosseous muscle allowing the extensor digiti minimi to abduct the small finger as the finger is ex tended. If the third volar interosseous muscle is trau matically avulsed at its insertion and the ulnar nerve is intact, the abductor digiti minimi manus is an additional deforming force.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Blacker GJ, Lister GD, Kleinert HE The abducted little finger in low ulnar nerve palsy J Hand Surg1190-196, 1976
2.
Brooks A. A new intrinsic tendon transfer for the paralytic hand J Bone Joint Surg57A730, 1975
3.
Bunnel S. Surgery of the Hand Second edition, Phiadelphia , JB Lippincott Company, 1949
4.
Burkhalter WE , Strait JL Metacarpophalangeal flexor replacement for intrinsic muscle paralysis J Bone Joint Surg55A1667-1676, 1973
5.
Fowler B. Extensor apparatus of the digits J Bone Joint Surg31B477, 1949
6.
Kaplan EB Functional and Surgical Anatomy of the Hand. Philadelphia , JB Lippincott Company, 1953
7.
Mannerfelt L. Studies on the hand in ulnar nerve paralysis Acta Orthop Scand (Suppl) 871-176, 1966
8.
Riordan DC Tendon transfers for nerve paralysis of the hand and wrist, in Adams JP (ed) Current Practices in Orthopaedic Surgery Second edition, St Louis, The CV Mosby Company, 1964
9.
Wartenberg R. Kleine Hiffsmittel der neurologicken Diagnostik , Nervenartz3594-597, 1930
10.
Wartenberg R. A sign of ulnar palsy JAMA1121688, 1939
11.
Zancolli EA Structural and Dynamic Bases of Hand Surgery Philadelphia , JB Lippincott Company, 1968
