Purpose
We want to evaluate the feasibility of transferring a motor branch of the the anterior tibial muscle (ATM) on the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) in order to evaluate this procedure in patients with spastic Equino Varus Foot (EVF) following a post-stroke hemiplegia.
Methods
Ten cadaveric dissections from five fresh frozen human cadavers were performed in order to establish the anatomic feasibility of transferring a motor branch of the deep peroneal nerve with is usually destinated to the Anterior Tibialis Muscle (ATM) onto the branch of the Extensor Digitorum Longus (EDL), to manage spastic equinovarus foot (SEF).
Results
Six cases (60%) presented 3 branches detonated to the ATM, one case (10%) presented 5 branches, 3 cases (30%) had 4 branches. In all specimens, the coaptation between the motor branch to the anterior tibial muscle, referred as the ‘effector’ branch, and the branch of the EDL ‘receiver’ branch was feasible without tension and did not require any intra-neural dissection.
Conclusion
This anatomical study confirms the feasibility of transferring a motor branch from the ATM to the EDL to correct a spastic EVF.