Flexor Carpi Radialis Brevis: A Case Report

Wesley  Calhoun; Seth  Ford; R Mark  Caulkins; Kathleen E McKeon; Nicholas Washmuth

doi:10.61797/ijcsav.v3i2.182

Wesley Calhoun Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35229, USA
Seth Ford Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35229, USA
R Mark Caulkins Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35229, USA
Kathleen E McKeon Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Centers, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
Nicholas Washmuth Department of Physical Therapy, Samford University, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61797/ijcsav.v3i2.182

Keywords: Flexor carpi radialis brevis, Anatomic variation, Clinical significance

Abstract

The flexor carpi radialis brevis is a rare anomalous muscle, with incidence ranging from 1.6-7.5%. While this anatomical variation is typically benign, it is of clinical importance as it can contribute to neurovascular and musculoskeletal dysfunction. Surgeons should be made aware of this variation during distal radius volar plating procedures and carpal tunnel releases. The flexor carpi radialis brevis muscle may also cause confusion when interpreting imaging results. We report here a rare case of bilateral flexor carpi radialis brevis muscles that travel through the carpal tunnel found during cadaveric dissection in a graduate course for physical therapy students. To our knowledge, this is the second published example of a flexor carpi radialis brevis muscle traveling through the carpal tunnel.