Tetraplegia Hand Surgery

The Center for Advanced Reconstuction of Extremities (C.A.R.E.) was founded in 2014 and is the only centre in Sweden for highly specialized reconstruction of extremities. As a patient you will be welcomed by a multiprofessional team at a modern unit combining both in- and outpatient care as well as premises for rehabilitation. C.A.R.E. is located at the Mölndal site of Sahlgrenska University Hospital. 

A spinal cord injury at the neck level with subsequent tetraplegia causes a dramatic life change. But restoration of functional capacity in arms and hands has the ability to improve quality of life as the patient becomes more independent. In surgical restoration, functioning muscles, tendons and nerves are moved from one part of the limb to where they are more useful, creating increased movement capacity in the arm or hand. For example, grip function in the hand can enable the patient to eat, dress on her/his own, write and drive a manual wheelchair. 

Persons with tetraplegia having sufficient remaining functioning muscles, which in practice means good elbow flexion strength, can usually achieve improved hand function through surgical reconstruction. The individual is the only one who knows exactly what performance goals need to be met for them to become more independent. It is therefore imperative to carefully investigate how the individual’s specific requests for functions and expectations of outcome match the given prerequisites for reaching these goals.

Göran - a Sahlgrenska University Hospital C.A.R.E patient

Hand control before treatment

Hand control after treatment