5 Classification of VIC (Volkmann’s Ischemic Contracture)

Classification of VIC is good for information purposes. Here are these 5 classifications

1. Bunnel
2. Pedemonte
3. Merle D’ Aubigne
4. Seddon
5. Tsuge

1. Bunnel’s classification – Bunnel 1944 – Surgery of the Hand

1. Simple
2. Severe

2. Pedemonte classification – 1948

1. classic or favorable
2. useless hand

3. Merle D’ Aubigne – 1955

1. VIC without claw hand
2. VIC with claw hand

4. Seddon Classification of VIC

1. Diffuse ischemia, without infarct, spontaneous recovery
2. Typical muscular infarct with or without nerve lesion
3. Diffuse fibrosis, severe paralysis and deformity

5. Tsuge Classification of VIC – 1975

Stage	Affected muscle	Treatment
Mild	Finger flexors No sensory disturbances	Dynamic splinting, tendon lengthening
Moderate	Wrist and finger flexors Sensory disturbances of the medial and ulnar nerve	Excision of necrotic tissue, median and ulnar neurolysis, BR to FPL transfer ECRL to FDP transfer Distal slide of viable flexors
Severe	Wrist / finger flexors and extensors	Same as above Free muscle transfer also possible

Other Relevant contents

1. Causes of VIC

External Resources

1. Pubmed – Tsuge Classification
2. Classifications and Treatment