Implant assists grip

The Canaletto, from PROCONCEPT of France, promotes better recovery of grip and is a semi-rigid, silicone and polyethylene implant. It fits between the two edges of the ligamentum carpi transversum, or retinaculum, just behind the wrist flexon point. The device has an upper surface to be retrained and a perfectly smooth lower surface. There is no risk of the development of adhesions on the median nerve or flexor tendons.

Canaletto is used to rebuild the anatomical functions of the retinaculum, which links the edges of the carpal tunnel, channelling the median nerve, which sensitises the thumb, index and middle fingers and the radial part of the ring finger. Reconstruction of the retinaculum restores the “pulley effect” in the hand’s flexor tendons.

After four years of using the Canaletto, an objective analysis of post-operative results shows that, in 80% of cases, there is an improvement compared with what surgeons obtain in a simple open procedure with no reconstruction of the retinaculum. These improvements may affect strength, pain, sensitivity and post-operative comfort.