Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease that can cause severe deformities and disability, particularly affecting the face and extremities. In resource-limited settings such as Southeastern Indonesia, surgical interventions must be carefully prioritized to maximize functional benefit. This study aimed to support surgical prioritization for neuropathies and hand disabilities in leprosy patients by evaluating activity limitation based on specific nerve involvement. A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2023 among all inpatients at Naob Leprosy Hospital, Timor Tengah Utara, Nusa Tenggara Timur. All patients were assessed using the Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness (SALSA) score and underwent physical examination to evaluate motor impairment of the ulnar, radial, and median nerves. A total of 41 patients (35 males, 6 females; aged 14–78 years) were included. Ulnar nerve impairment was most common (51.22%), followed by median (43.90%) and radial nerve impairment (29.27%). SALSA scores ranged from 14 to 45 and were higher in patients with nerve impairment. However, only median nerve impairment showed a statistically significant association with increased SALSA scores (p = 0.032). These findings suggest that surgical prioritization in leprosy-related hand deformities should consider both SALSA scores and nerve involvement, particularly median nerve impairment. Early surgical intervention alongside antimicrobial therapy may help prevent progressive disability and improve functional outcomes
BT - Indian Journal of Leprosy DA - 06/2026 LA - ENG M3 - Article N2 -Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease that can cause severe deformities and disability, particularly affecting the face and extremities. In resource-limited settings such as Southeastern Indonesia, surgical interventions must be carefully prioritized to maximize functional benefit. This study aimed to support surgical prioritization for neuropathies and hand disabilities in leprosy patients by evaluating activity limitation based on specific nerve involvement. A cross-sectional study was conducted in July 2023 among all inpatients at Naob Leprosy Hospital, Timor Tengah Utara, Nusa Tenggara Timur. All patients were assessed using the Screening of Activity Limitation and Safety Awareness (SALSA) score and underwent physical examination to evaluate motor impairment of the ulnar, radial, and median nerves. A total of 41 patients (35 males, 6 females; aged 14–78 years) were included. Ulnar nerve impairment was most common (51.22%), followed by median (43.90%) and radial nerve impairment (29.27%). SALSA scores ranged from 14 to 45 and were higher in patients with nerve impairment. However, only median nerve impairment showed a statistically significant association with increased SALSA scores (p = 0.032). These findings suggest that surgical prioritization in leprosy-related hand deformities should consider both SALSA scores and nerve involvement, particularly median nerve impairment. Early surgical intervention alongside antimicrobial therapy may help prevent progressive disability and improve functional outcomes
PY - 2026 SP - 257 EP - 266 T2 - Indian Journal of Leprosy TI - Reconstructive Surgery Prioritization for Hand Deformity in Leprosy Patients: A Cross-sectional Study in Southeast Indonesia UR - https://www.ijl.org.in/published-articles/30092026095338/4_Original_Article_Datusanantyo_et_al_July_Sept_2026_print_version.pdf VL - 98 ER -