Long-term survival of 2997 finger metacarpophalanageal joint arthroplasties from the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register.

We present the long-time survival of 2997 primary metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint implants from the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register from 1994 to 2019. Six different implants were compared in terms of survival and risk of revision. The majority of implants were inserted in patients diagnosed with inflammatory diseases and in women. The overall survival was found to be 94%, 89%, 85% and 84% after 5, 10, 15 and 20 years. The most prevalent reason for revision was a fractured prosthetic component, and the second was pain. Implants inserted in the right hand and in younger patients had a higher risk for revision. Sex, type of implant, finger treated, one- or two-component prosthesis, and inflammatory or non-inflammatory conditions did not influence the survival. The frequency of MCP joint implantations decreased during the observation period. Our data show satisfactory long-term survival of the MCP implants, with no difference found between implant types or concepts.Level of evidence: II.

Is there a correlation between functional results and radiographic findings in patients with distal radius fracture A0 type A3 treated with volar locking plate or external fixator?

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that precise restoration of distal radius fractures is correlated to better patient-reported outcome. METHODS: The correlation between radiographic results and functional outcome was explored in 156 patients with extra-articular distal radius fractures included in a multicenter, randomized controlled trial comparing 2 surgical interventions, Volar Locking Plate or External Fixator. The primary functional outcome was the Patient Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation score (PRWHE). Radiographically we assessed volar tilt, radial inclination, radial height, ulnar variance, and the presence of ulnar styloid fracture. The Pearson correlation analysis was used to estimate correlations between parameters. RESULTS: At 1-year follow-up the mean difference in radiographic findings compared with the uninjured side (min, max) was: reduced volar tilt 5.3° (-15°, 25°), reduced radial inclination 2.3° (-6°, 12°), radial height 1.3 mm (-4 mm, 7 mm), and ulnar variance -0.5 mm (-6 mm, 3 mm). Overall, we found no correlation between radiographic parameters and the PRWHE at 1-year follow-up within the whole group, regardless of which treatment was chosen. At the time of injury 53% (N = 80) had sustained an additional ulnar styloid fracture. After 1 year this fracture was still radiographically present in 31% (N = 43) of the patients. No correlation between PRWHE score and the presence of an ulnar styloid fracture at 1-year follow-up was found. CONCLUSIONS: We found no correlation between functional outcome (PRWHE) and radiographic findings after 1 year in patients operated on with a Volar Locking Plate or External Fixator. Patient-specific factors were more important than radiographic measurements in this study group.Level of evidence: Therapeutic Level 2Trial registration: Norway: National Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics 213/555ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01904084Randomization of first patient: 02.09.2013.

Surgical Treatment of Distal Radial Fractures with External Fixation Versus Volar Locking Plate: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The use of volar locking plate fixation (VLP) for unstable extra-articular distal radial fractures has increased in the last decades. External fixation (EF) is less frequently used. This change of surgical approach has only to some extent been evidence-based. METHODS: In this multicenter, randomized controlled trial, we compared VLP and EF in patients between 18 and 70 years of age who had a displaced extra-articular distal radial fracture (OTA/AO type A3). The patients were examined at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively. The primary outcome measure was the Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation score (PRWHE). Secondary outcomes were the shortened version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH), pain score on a visual analog scale (VAS), and radiographic measurements. Range of motion, grip strength, finger stiffness, complications, and reoperations were also recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-six patients were included. One hundred and forty-two (91%)-127 women (89%) and 15 men (11%)-completed 1 year of follow-up. Sixty-nine patients were treated with VLP and 73, with EF. The mean age was 56 years. At 6 weeks, the median PRWHE score was significantly higher in the EF group (44) compared with the VLP group (27) (p < 0.001). At 3 months and 1 year, the difference between groups was not significant. The median QuickDASH score was 27 in the VLP group and 43 in the EF group at 6 weeks (p < 0.001), and a significant difference persisted at 3 months (p = 0.023). The VLP group had superior results in terms pain during activity, wrist extension, and ulnar and radial deviation at 1 year, whereas the number of major complications was similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated with VLP had earlier recovery of function compared with patients treated with EF. One year postoperatively, we found no significant functional difference. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Acute traumatic proximal tibiofibular dislocation: Treatment of three cases.

INTRODUCTION: Acute traumatic dislocation of the proximal fibula occurs in an anterolateral, posteromedial, or superior direction. The dislocation is seen both isolated and in combination with other injuries of the leg. A dislocation is an uncommon injury. We have recently treated three patients with this injury which we believe will illustrate some treatment aspects. CASE REPORTS: Case 1: A 25-year-old man fell in a football match. He had pain in his leg especially proximally. There was a prominent fibular head on inspection. X-rays showed an anterolateral dislocation in the proximal tibiofibular joint. The dislocation was treated by closed reduction under spinal anesthesia. The joint was stable when tested subsequently. He avoided weight bearing for 2 weeks. At 6 months follow-up, the patient played football at the same level. Case 2: A 63-year-old man caught his right foot in a net and fell immediate pain and minimal swelling proximally on the leg. It was diagnosed as a tibiofibular dislocation. A computed tomography (CT) scan was conducted to confirm a dislocation in an anterolateral direction while waiting for surgery, the dislocation spontaneously reduced. The patient was treated with a cast, with non-weight bearing for 2 weeks. Six months after injury, the patient was without symptoms. Case 3: A 45-year-old woman got a large object on the proximal part of her right leg. She had an open wound over her proximal fibula. We found a posteromedial dislocation. Through the wound, the fibular head dislocation was reduced and temporarily (for 6 weeks) fixated with a screw. At 6 months follow-up, there was no restriction of movement in the knee and the proximal tibiofibular joint was stable. She still had occasional pain with full weight bearing. CONCLUSIONS: Anamnesis and clinical examination usually provide the diagnosis of proximal tibiofibular dislocation. X-ray (and CT scans) examination may be helpful. The treatment of acute traumatic dislocation is closed reduction. Open reposition and temporary fixation are required if closed reduction fails or if the joint is unstable (after reduction) and in the case of posteromedial dislocation. The prognosis is good if the joint is stable after closed reduction.

A survivorship study of 838 total elbow replacements: a report from the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register 1994-2016.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to present the long-term survivorship (20 years) of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) for a relatively large population and to compare different prosthesis brands and patient subgroups. METHODS: Between 1994 and 2017, a total of 838 primary TEAs were reported to the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register. Implant survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Risk differences were examined using Cox regression analyses and exact Cox regression for rare events. We compared the survivorship of the 8 most frequently used implant brands, the different diagnoses leading to TEA, and the influence of the fixation technique. RESULTS: The overall 5-, 10-, 15-, and 20-year survival rates for all elbow arthroplasties were 92%, 81%, 71%, and 61%, respectively. Risk factors for revision were a diagnosis of sequelae after trauma and cementless fixation of the ulna component. There were some differences between the implant brands. The Norway prostheses had higher survival compared with the Kudo after 15 years of follow-up (78% and 66%, respectively; P < .001). Among the implants with shorter follow-up, the IBP and NES had inferior survivorship compared with the Norway. The frequently used Discovery had promising survivorship up to 5 years. The most frequent reason for revision surgery was aseptic loosening, followed by defective polyethylene, infection, and dislocation. The revision causes were to some degree implant specific. CONCLUSION: Fairly good results in terms of prosthesis survival were obtained with TEA, although results were poorer than for knee and hip arthroplasties.

Females report higher postoperative pain scores than males after ankle surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The majority of patients experience moderate-to-intense pain following ankle surgery. Early, adequate treatment of postoperative pain is desirable for optimal pain relief, which in turn may facilitate optimal pulmonary function, normal respiration pattern, rehabilitation and prevention of a chronic pain condition. In this retrospective study, we aimed to identify possible predictors of moderate-to-intense postoperative pain while in the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU) in patients operated for ankle fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Social demographics and clinical characteristics from admission throughout the stay in the PACU were collected from the hospital patient record system in retrospect. Pain was assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) or a verbal Numeric Rating Scale (vNRS). A VAS/vNRS score 4-6 was classified as moderate and 7-10 as intense pain. Other factors which were investigated were time from ankle fracture to surgery, anaesthetic procedure, pre-, per- and postoperative medical treatment, radiological classification, complexity of fracture, operative technique, and time using tourniquet procedure. RESULTS: Data from 336 patients who underwent surgery to repair an ankle fracture between January 2009 and December 2010 were analysed. None of the following variables had a statistically significant effect on pain; age, weight, smoking, timeframe from fracture to operation, type of anaesthesia, opioids given peroperatively, complexity of the fracture, operation technique or tourniquet inflation procedure. Female sex predicted moderate-to-intense postoperative pain in the PACU with odds ratio 2.31 (95% confidence interval 1.39-3.86), P=0.001. As far as we know, this is the first study to show a sex difference in reporting pain in the first hours after surgery for ankle fracture. CONCLUSION: Female patients operated for ankle fracture report higher pain-intensity-score than male patients while in the PACU. IMPLICATIONS: Our findings suggest that treatment strategies to prevent high peaks of pain should particularly target women operated for an ankle fracture.

Treatment of distal radius fractures.

BACKGROUND: In light of the Norwegian Orthopaedic Association's wish to prepare guidelines for treatment of distal radius fractures, we have reviewed the knowledge base for the provision of such treatment. METHOD: The paper is based on systematic reviews of treatment of distal radius fractures from literature search in the following databases: the Cochrane Library, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE Cochrane), the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) database, PreMedline, Medline and Embase. RESULTS: There is evidence for recommending percutaneous pinning of unstable, dorsally displaced distal radius fractures rather than conservative treatment, but which pinning method is best remains uncertain. There is also documentation to support the use of external fixation rather than conservative treatment. There is insufficient documentation available to draw conclusions regarding the relative efficacy of the various methods of external fixation, but external fixation in combination with adjuvant pinning of the fracture fragment enhances the result compared to external fixation alone. The evidence indicates that plates may enhance functional short-term results for unstable distal radius fractures compared to external fixation. INTERPRETATION: There is evidence in support of differentiated treatment of distal radius fractures. However, many questions remain unanswered, and good prospective, randomised multi-centre trials are needed.

Results of 189 wrist replacements. A report from the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is very little literature on the long-term outcome of wrist replacements. The Norwegian Arthroplasty Register has registered wrist replacements since 1994. We report on the total wrist replacements and their revision rates over a 16-year period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 189 patients with 189 primary wrist replacements (90 Biax prostheses (80 of which were cementless), 23 cementless Elos prostheses, and 76 cementless Gibbon prostheses), operated during the period 1994-2009 were identified in the Norwegian Arthroplasty Register. Prosthesis survival was analyzed using Cox regression analyses. The 3 implant designs were compared and time trends were analyzed. RESULTS: The 5-year survival was 78% (95% CI: 70-85) and the 10-year survival was 71% (CI: 59-80). Prosthesis survival was 85% (CI: 78-93) at 5 years for the Biax prosthesis, 77% (CI: 30-90) at 4 years for the Gibbon prosthesis, and 57% (CI: 33-81) at 5 years for the Elos prosthesis. There was no statistically significant influence of age, diagnosis, or year of operation on the risk of revision, but females had a higher revision rate than males (RR = 3, CI: 1-7). The number of wrist replacements performed due to osteoarthritis increased with time, but no such change was apparent for inflammatory arthritis. INTERPRETATION: The survival of the total wrist arthroplasties studied was similar to that in other studies of wrist arthroplasties, but it was still not as good as that for most total knee and hip arthroplasties. However, a failed wrist arthroplasty still leaves the option of a well-functioning arthrodesis.

Dynamic compared with static external fixation of unstable fractures of the distal part of the radius: a prospective, randomized multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: External fixation is an established method of treating certain types of distal radial fractures. We have designed a dynamic external fixator to treat these fractures. The purpose of the present study was to compare this device with current static bridging external fixators in terms of anatomical and functional results. METHODS: We conducted a prospective randomized study to compare the radiographic and clinical results of dynamic external fixation with those of static external fixation for the treatment of seventy unstable distal radial fractures. Mobilization of the wrist was begun in the dynamic fixator group on the day after surgery. The external fixation frames were kept in place for a mean of six weeks. The patients were assessed clinically and radiographically at the time of removal of the fixator and at three, six, and twelve months. RESULTS: Dynamic fixation resulted in a significantly better restoration of radial length at all follow-up visits in comparison with static fixation. There were no significant differences in radial tilt or radial inclination between the two groups. Wrist flexion, radial deviation, and pronation-supination were regained significantly faster in the dynamic fixator group. Wrist extension was significantly better in the dynamic fixator group in comparison with the static fixator group at all follow-up times. Self-evaluation with use of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score and a visual analog pain score demonstrated no significant differences between the two groups at the time of the latest follow-up. Superficial pin-track infections were significantly more common in the dynamic external fixator group than in the static fixator group. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous dynamic traction with a dynamic external fixator compares favorably with the use of static external fixators for the treatment of unstable fractures of the distal part of the radius.

Different osteosyntheses for Colles' fracture: a mechanical study in 42 cadaver bones.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In recent years several different plate designs for internal fixation of fractures of the distal radius have been developed. However, few biomechanical studies have been performed to compare these new implants. The purpose of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of 5 different commercially available plates (3 volar and 2 dorsal) with standard K-wire fixation using a distal radial cadaver model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 42 human radial bones from 26 cadavers were included. The bone mineral density (BMD) was measured by DEXA in all bones, and the radial bones were assigned to 6 equiv alent groups based on bone density and total amount of mineral. A distal radial osteotomy was done and a dorsal 30-degree wedge of bone was removed. 1 K-wire fixation group and 5 plate groups were tested for rigidity, yield load, and maximum load. RESULTS: When data from dorsally and volarly applied plates were pooled, we did not find any statistically significant differences between them regarding stiffness, yield load, and maximum load. The K-wire group showed significantly lower yield load than 3 of the plate groups. There were no statistically significant differences in yield load between the 5 plate groups. The K-wire group showed lower rigidity than the plate groups. The K-wire group and 1 plate group failed at a statistically significant lower maximum load than the 4 other plate groups. INTERPRETATION: The volar plates had the same mechanical stability as the dorsally applied plates, and they are therefore a good alternative to dorsally applied plates. K-wire osteosynthesis was inferior to plate osteosyntheses regarding all mechanical properties.

External fixation of fractures of the distal radius: a randomized comparison of the Hoffman compact II non-bridging fixator and the Dynawrist fixator in 75 patients followed for 1 year.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: External fixators allowing movement during fracture healing are commonly used for treatment of unstable distal radius fractures. The dynamic Dynawrist fixator with the distal pins in metacarpal bone may avoid fixation problems in comminuted fractures and may reduce the risk of nerve injury. We compared anatomical and functional outcome for the well-established Hoffmann compact II non-bridging fixator and for the Dynawrist fixator. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 75 patients with unstable distal radius fractures were randomized to treatment with either the Hoffman compact II fixator (the H-group) or the Dynawrist fixator (the D-group). Anatomical and functional variables were recorded preoperatively, postoperatively, and at 6, 12, 24, and 52 weeks. Pain was assessed using the VAS score and function was assessed using DASH score. RESULTS: Postoperatively, radial tilt, inclination, and radial length all improved statistically significantly in both groups. At time of removal of the fixators, the H group had superior volar radial tilt. At the 52-week follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding anatomical variables. At 6 weeks, flexion was greater in the D group but at 12, 24, and 52 weeks flexion was similar in the two groups, as were the other wrist and forearm movements. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups according to VAS and DASH scores. 3 nerve injuries occurred in the H group and 1 in the D group (p = 0.4), all of which were transient. INTERPRETATION: The Dynawrist bridging but dynamic fixator gives radiographic and functional outcome similar to that of the Hoffman II compact non-bridging fixator.

Corrective osteotomy for malunited extra-articular fractures of the distal radius: a follow-up study of 33 patients.

We present a series of 33 consecutive patients treated with lengthening osteotomy due to malunited extra-articular fractures of the distal radius. Thirty-one patients were able for long-term follow-up a median (range) of seven (2-20) years after the procedure. The indication for reconstruction was mainly impaired function of the wrist. Both the anatomy and function were improved significantly postoperatively. The median radial length improved 5 mm, the radial tilt 25 degrees, and the radial inclination improved 9 degrees. The median improvement of forearm supination was 20 degrees, pronation 10 degrees, dorsal wrist flexion 10 degrees, and volar flexion 20 degrees. Twenty-two of 29 patients (76%) rated the functional results as good or excellent. The functional results were significantly better postoperatively, but the results were still better on the uninjured side. The grip strength on the operated hand was 82% of the uninjured hand, and the median postoperative DASH-score was 21. In five patients the graft resorbed (one fracture of the plate) and needed reoperation. All eventually healed and the anatomical and functional results were good. Another patient had symptomatic osteoarthrosis and later had a full wrist fusion. We conclude that every effort should be made to prevent malunion in the treatment of distal radius fractures, becauseeven after anatomical correction, function is not restored fully in all patients.

Experience with the AO Pi-plate for displaced intra-articular fractures of the distal radius.

We have used open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with the AO pi-plate in 32 displaced, intra-articular fractures of the distal radius. The indication was a displaced intra-articular fracture with a step-off of more than 1 mm and a gap between fragments of more than 3 mm, judged from the primary computed tomograms (CT). All fractures were classified as AO type C3. Twenty-nine patients were followed-up after a mean of 23 (9-46) months. The dorsal tilt, the radial length, the radial inclination, the articular step-off, and the intra-articular gap between fragments were substantially improved postoperatively. All the patients had excellent or good extra-articular and intra-articular alignment. Two patients had reduced extension power of the first finger. Seventeen patients had Disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) scores of less than 10 points, five had scores between 11 and 20, three between 21 and 30, three between 31 and 40, and one patient had a score of 65 points. Complications occurred in two patients: one had a painful amputation neuroma of the superficial radial nerve, and one developed adhesions of the flexor tendons of the second and third fingers because the screws were too long and had penetrated the tendon sheaths. We conclude that the AO pi-plate is an excellent option for the most comminuted fractures of the distal radius.