Snapping thumb: a rare case of stenosing tenosynovitis of the extensor pollicis longus tendon.

Tenosynovitis of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) is rarely reported in patients without rheumatoid arthritis but may lead to thumb snapping as a consequence of EPL stenosing tenosynovitis.This case presents painful thumb snapping that developed after a wrist trauma and repetitive loading. Ultrasound and MRI were used as diagnostic tools, before surgical release of the EPL in the third extensor compartment was performed. Neither EPL tenosynovitis nor thumb snapping were found at follow-up.

Transcranial direct current stimulation improves myofascial pain syndrome and chronic fatigue.

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[Detection of Actinobacillus equuli ssp. equuli in piglets with purulent polyarthritis and tendovaginitis]. / Nachweis von Actinobacillus equuli ssp. equuli bei Saugferkeln mit eitriger Polyarthritis und Tendovaginitis.

Actinobacillus equuli ssp. equuli is an opportunistic pathogen in horses, mainly known to cause "sleepy foal disease". In comparison to horses, there are only few reports describing diseases in pigs associated with this gram-negative bacterium. This case report describes an outbreak of infection in a combined farrow-to-finish-farm. In September 2018, the following symptoms were noticed in one third of all newborn piglets from gilts and sows: 6-8 hours after birth piglets became weak and developed swollen joints with moderate to severe lameness. The piglets exhibited lethargy, a subset were non-ambulatory. An elevated piglet mortality within the first days within birth was noted. Seven piglets that succumbed to the disease (days 2-3 of life) were submitted for examination, 4 of which underwent pathological examination. The main findings were purulent polyarthritis and tendovaginitis. In addition, purulent inflammation was detected in the brain and kidneys of one animal. In the bacteriological examination A. equuli ssp. equuli was isolated in a total of 18 samples (brain, joints, suppurative structures of limbs), in a subset of cases as pure culture. For identification, cultural and biochemical characteristics were tested and a mass spectrometry analysis (MALDI-TOF MS) was performed. Further laboratory testing included 16 S rRNA-gene sequencing, a PCR in order to examine for special apx toxin genes as well as a PCR differentiating the two subspecies of A. equuli. It was not possible to identify the source of infection and routes of spread within the pig herd. The bacterial isolates were used for the production of an autogenous vaccine.

Entrapment of the extensor pollicis longus tendon in a pediatric Smith fracture: A case report.

RATIONALE: Most pediatric distal radius fractures are effectively treated nonoperatively; however, operative intervention is indicated in patients with open and highly unstable fractures, in those with concomitant neurovascular injuries and in patients whom soft tissue interposition between fracture fragments precludes anatomical reduction. Notably, soft tissue interposition between fracture fragments is diagnostically challenging. Surgeons must be mindful of this rare complication for early detection and prompt treatment. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 14-year-old boy presented to the emergency department with left wrist pain after falling from a bicycle. Plain radiography and computed tomography revealed a displaced Smith fracture, which was irreducible by closed reduction, necessitating open reduction and volar plate fixation. The patient reported inability to extend his thumb at his 6-week postoperative follow-up visit. DIAGNOSIS: Ultrasonography showed extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon entrapment near the fracture site. INTERVENTIONS: A second operation was performed 10 weeks after the first surgery, and intraoperative exploration revealed EPL tendon entrapment. The EPL tendon was torn to shreds; therefore, extensor indicis proprius tendon transfer was performed for EPL tendon reconstruction. OUTCOMES: The patient's thumb motion was completely restored after the second operation. LESSENS: EPL tendon entrapment in a pediatric Smith fracture is rare. Signs of EPL tendon entrapment include inability to perform active thumb extension, dorsal wrist pain radiating along the course of the EPL tendon, which is exacerbated by thumb flexion, a tenodesis effect elicited on thumb examination, and difficulty in anatomical fracture reduction. Surgical exploration of the EPL tendon is warranted in patients presenting with any of these signs following attempted reduction of a Smith fracture.

Endoscopic treatment of bilateral hallux saltans in an ordinary woman.

In this article, we present a 47-year-old female patient applying with pain in posteromedial of ankle and trigger toe complaints. There was no predisposing factor such as dance or sports or any radiological sign such as os trigonum. Posterior ankle endoscopy technique was used for evaluation and it was observed that the FHL tendon was triggered. Fibrous thickening around the tendon was released with endoscopic instruments. After release, it was observed that the FHL tendon was not triggered with toe movements. Hallux saltans can be treated by posterior endoscopic methods with an attention to the tibial nerve such as other joint and soft tissue pathologies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of endoscopic treatment of bilateral HS in an ordinary female patient.

What Patient-related Factors are Associated with an Increased Risk of Surgery in Patients with Stenosing Tenosynovitis? A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Numerous patient-related risk factors have been identified as contributors to patient progression to operative treatment of stenosing tenosynovitis (STS). Identifying patients most at risk of undergoing surgery after receiving a corticosteroid injection would enable health care providers to identify patients most likely to benefit from nonsurgical treatment. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What proportion of prospectively enrolled patients with a new diagnosis of STS did not require further intervention after a first, second, or third injection when offered up to three corticosteroid injections? (2) Which identifiable risk factors present at the initial evaluation in patients with STS are associated with the patient opting for surgical release after a trial of one, two, or three corticosteroid injections? METHODS: One hundred ninety-six patients with a presumed diagnosis of STS were evaluated between March 2014 and June 2015, and 160 patients with 186 affected fingers were prospectively enrolled after a new diagnosis of STS was made during the study period. STS was diagnosed by assessing for tenderness at the A1 pulley, passive or active triggering, and the absence of other confounding diagnoses. Only the affected finger received a corticosteroid injection, and these patients were followed up during the study period. Patients were followed for 2 years, and 135 of the 160 patients (84%) completed the final followup. Patients with recurrent symptoms were treated with up to three corticosteroid injections before undergoing A1 pulley release, although patients could elect to undergo surgery at any time. Bivariate comparisons and a multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for independent fingers (one per participant) to identify independent variables associated with progression to surgery after injection. The time between treatments (between injection and subsequent injection or between injection and surgery) for those with recurrent symptoms was also calculated. Information collected from the last time the patient could be contacted was carried forward in the analysis for all 160 patients. RESULTS: No further treatment was sought after the first, second, and third injections by 81 of 160 (51%), 16 of 45 (37%), and three of 10 patients (30%), respectively; 100 of 160 patients (63%) did not pursue further intervention. After the first, second, and third injections, 36 of 160 patients (23%), 17 of 43 patients (40%), and seven of 10 of patients, respectively, did not respond to treatment. After controlling for 21 potentially confounding patient- and disease-related variables, we found that only two risk factors at the initial presentation were protective against eventual progression to surgery: osteoarthritis in the fingers (odds ratio [OR], 0.26 [95% CI, 0.085-0.786]; p = 0.017) and a longer duration of symptoms (OR, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.38-0.89]; p = 0.012). There was no association between progression to surgery and hand dominance, finger type (thumb or other), whether the patient had diabetes, or whether the affected finger was one of multiple affected fingers. Patients who presented again for intervention (injection or surgery) did so at a mean of 153 ± 94 days. CONCLUSIONS: Although patients should be counseled that their risk of progressing to surgery after an initial corticosteroid injection is lower than for subsequently administered injections for recurrent symptoms, nonoperative treatment should not be bypassed for patients with any of the studied risk factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, therapeutic study.

[Progress on treatment for stenosing tenosynovitis].

Radial styloid stenosing tenosynovitis is a kind of common chronic motor system injuries, and could lead to joint pain and aggravates with activity, in further makes a great impact on people's daily life. At present, therapeutic methods for this disease could divid into conservative treatment and surgical treatment. What we pay attention to is cure. Conservative treatment could effectively relieve pain and improve wrist motion in acute phase, however, it make little difference on long--term effect and usually cause to reappear. Surgical treatment, as a kind of invasive therapies, is chosen only when facing recalcitrant radial styloid stenosing tenosynovitis with many complications for its high cure rate. The author thought that patient education should play an important role in the therapy of radial styloid stenosing tenosynovitis, comprehensive treatment could be applied according to the different conditions of disease development, and could increase cure disease.

Bilateral snapping biceps femoris tendon: a case report and review of the literature.

Snapping biceps femoris tendon is an uncommon cause of lateral knee pain. We report the case of a 15-year-old athlete with bilateral snapping biceps femoris tendons, painful over his right lateral leg during exercise. He underwent elective exploration of the right knee which revealed an accessory biceps femoris tendon with attachment to the anterolateral tibia. The accessory tendon was released and reinserted onto the fibular head with a Krackow suture. There were no perioperative complications, and he returned to full sporting activities within 3 months. We describe the operative technique used and summarise the existing literature. Restoring the anatomy with release of the accessory tendon and reinsertion onto the fibular head is an effective technique in the management of knee pain due to snapping biceps femoris tendon. Other approaches include simple release of the anomalous tendon without reinsertion or partial resection of the fibular head. Partial resection of the fibular head is the only technique described in the literature with complication requiring a further operation on the same site. There remains a paucity of evidence in the literature regarding long-term outcomes required to inform the best operative approach. Further anatomical, intraoperative and radiological studies are required to delineate the true pathology of this condition.

Trigger finger: An overview of the treatment options.

Stenosing flexor tenosynovitis, more commonly known as trigger finger, is one of the most common causes of hand pain and dysfunction. Clinicians must be able to identify the disorder, know the broad range of treatment options, and counsel patients on the treatment best suited for their condition. Awareness of the economic burden each option entails is central to optimizing treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction.

Anomalous course and stenosing tenosynovitis of the extensor pollicis longus tendon at the radial styloid process: A case report.

RATIONALE: Anomalous course and tenosynovitis of extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon is a rare condition that presents clinical symptoms very similar to de Quervain's disease. Herein we report a case of anomalous course and tenosynovitis of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon associated with symptoms of de Quervain's disease. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 44-year-old right-handed man visited the clinic because of radial pain associated with the left wrist, which was aggravated during the previous 10 days. The patient tested positive on the Finkelstein's test and displayed a limited range of motion of the left wrist. Motion of the thumb and wrist aggravated pain. DIAGNOSES: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the left wrist suggested mild tenosynovitis at the third extensor compartment and intersection syndrome. However, clinical symptoms failed to match the MRI findings. INTERVENTIONS: A zig-zag skin incision on the radial styloid process was made. The operative findings revealed stenosing tenosynovitis with partial tearing. Retraction of the tendon extended the thumb interphalangeal joint, suggesting that the tendon was the EPL tendon rather than EPB tendon. After operation, we reviewed the MRI of the patient, which revealed that the oblique course of the EPL tendon originated from the ulnar side of the forearm to the radial styloid at the radial and proximal site of Lister's tubercle. No EPB tendon was present. OUTCOMES: At 12 months of follow-up, the patient's radial styloid process was completely asymptomatic and resumed full daily activities. LESSONS: Anomalous course of the EPL tendon is rarely reported associated with similar symptoms of de Quervain's disease. However, the knowledge and understanding of this potential anomaly in the course of EPL tendon is very important for the treatment of de Quervain's disease to decrease patient dissatisfaction after surgery.

Entrapment of Extensor Pollicis Longus Tendon after Volar Plating of a Smith Type Pediatric Distal Forearm Fracture.

Extensor pollicis longus tendon entrapment is a rare complication of volarly displaced pediatric distal radius fractures. The few pediatric case reports have described tendon entrapment associated with conservative fracture treatment, or have been recognized at subsequent revision surgery after failure to achieve closed fracture reduction. A case of extensor pollicis longus tendon entrapment after open reduction and volar plate fixation of a pediatric distal forearm fracture is reported. This complication may also occur secondarily after open reduction and volar plating of the distal radius.

Tibialis Posterior Tendon Entrapment Within Posterior Malleolar Fracture Fragment.

Management of posterior malleolus fractures continues to be controversial, with respect to both need for fixation and fixation methods. Fixation methods include an open posterior approach to the ankle as well as percutaneous reduction and fixation with or without arthroscopy for visualization of the articular surface. Plain radiographs are unreliable in identifying fracture pattern and intraoperative reduction, making arthroscopy a valuable adjunct to posterior malleolus fracture management. In this article, we report a case of tibialis posterior tendon entrapment within a posterior malleolus fracture, as identified by arthroscopy and managed with open reduction. Tibialis posterior tendon entrapment within a posterior malleolus has not been previously reported. Ankle arthroscopy for posterior malleolus fractures provides an opportunity to identify soft-tissue or tendinous entrapment, articular surface reduction, and articular cartilage injuries unlikely to be identified with fluoroscopy alone and should be considered in reduction and fixation of posterior malleolus fractures.

Entrapment of the flexor hallucis longus tendon following ankle arthrodesis.

Impingement following arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis has not been reported in the literature previously. We present a case report of a 68-year-old male 9 months following an uncomplicated arthroscopic ankle fusion presenting with persistent posteromedial ankle pain. Flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon impingement resulting from a prominent os trigonum was identified. This was successfully treated utilising hindfoot endoscopy with excision of the os trigonum and FHL release.

The anatomy of the fibrous and osseous components of the first extensor compartment of the wrist: a cadaveric study.

PURPOSE: De Quervain disease is the stenosing tenosynovitis of the first extensor compartment of the wrist. It is diagnosed with a history of pain at the radial aspect of the wrist and a positive Finkelstein test. Although anatomic variations, such as a septum within the compartment, are considered as risk factors, bony anatomy of distal radius and its correlation with the septa are studied scarcely in the literature. METHODS: We dissected 50 wrists of 26 cadavers. Presence and location of a septum within the compartment was evaluated. We also observed the grooves at distal radius and their relation to the first extensor compartment and its content. RESULTS: The septum was absent in 23 wrists (46%). A septum was present in 27 (54%) wrists (15 incomplete 30%, 12 complete 24%). At the distal radius, we classified three radial groove types as Type 1 on 28 (56%), Type 2 on 14 (28%), and as Type 3 on 8 (16%) wrists. There was a statistically significant relation between complete type of septa and Type 1 grooves (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: We investigated the bony structures of the compartment along with its content and we believe our results might guide clinicians who diagnose and treat de Quervain tenosynovitis.

Posterior tibial tendon entrapment within an intact ankle mortise: a case report.

The present case report demonstrates a rare finding associated with irreducible ankle fracture dislocations. To our knowledge, posterior tibial tendon entrapment with an intact ankle mortise has not yet been documented in published studies. In the case of our patient, a high-energy, 12-ft fall resulted in a comminuted intra-articular fracture of the medial malleolus, confirmed by the initial radiographs. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed the Achilles tendon to be ruptured and the posterior tibial tendon to be both displaced and entrapped between the medial malleolar fracture fragments, preventing initial closed reduction. At operative repair for the ruptured Achilles tendon and the medial malleolus fracture, the posterior tibial tendon was removed from the fracture site and was found to be intact with no evidence of laceration or rupture. The tendon was returned back to its anatomic position, and the tendon sheath was reapproximated. Although uncommon, it is important that entrapment of the posterior tibial tendon be considered in cases of irreducible ankle fracture. This injury type can be addressed during open reduction internal fixation to achieve reduction.

Complete encasement of the peroneal tendons by the peroneal tubercle.

The peroneal tubercle is an osseous structure on the lateral side of the calcaneus present in 90% of individuals. Hypertrophy of the peroneal tubercle resulting in stenosing peroneal tenosynovitis has been well described in the literature. Repair of this condition involves operative treatment to remove the hypertrophied peroneal tubercle and repair any resulting tendon pathology. The authors report a unique case of a hypertrophied peroneal tubercle with an associated tarsal coalition, resulting in complete bony encasement of the peroneal tendons. In this case, a 50-year-old white man presented with worsening bilateral foot and ankle pain for several years. On examination, he had fixed hindfoot varus and bilateral equinocavovarus feet. Magnetic resonance imaging and weight-bearing radiographs showed a calcaneonavicular coalition. Intraoperatively, the authors discovered complete bony encasement of the peroneal longus and brevis tendons. On examination, the peroneal longus and brevis were severely stenotic, with the peroneal brevis to the point of near laceration. This painful condition was repaired by takedown of the calcaneonavicular coalition, the peroneal tubercle was resected, and the peroneal tendons were freed from their bony encasement. Tenodesis of the peroneus brevis to longus was performed and the hindfoot varus was corrected with wedge osteotomy of the calcaneus. The patient reported excellent postoperative results. At 3 months postoperatively, he was pain-free and his calcaneal osteotomy was well healed. This case appears to be the first of its type to be reported in the literature. The details of the case are presented along with a review of the relevant literature.

Diagnosis and treatment of intraoperative popliteus tendon impingement.

Herein, we describe a simple, effective strategy for diagnosing and treating intraoperative popliteus tendon impingement during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). When lateral impingement is detected intraoperatively during TKA, manual isolation of the popliteus tendon can help determine the cause. Using this technique, the etiology of intraoperative lateral impingement during TKA was never misdiagnosed and the popliteus tendon was never unnecessarily released. The technique described allows for accurate diagnosis of intraoperative lateral impingement during TKA and the prevention of unnecessary popliteus resection.

Labral injuries due to iliopsoas impingement: can they be diagnosed on MR arthrography?

OBJECTIVE: Iliopsoas impingement is a new arthroscopic diagnosis that refers to an anterior labral injury caused by the iliopsoas tendon. Currently, there are no preoperative criteria to establish the diagnosis of iliopsoas impingement. The goal of this study was to determine whether there are imaging criteria that would identify iliopsoas impingement on preoperative MR arthrography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study compared the preoperative MR arthrograms of 23 patients who had iliopsoas impingement diagnosed at hip arthroscopy with the arthrograms of 24 patients who did not have iliopsoas impingement found at hip arthroscopy. All of the arthroscopies were performed by a single orthopedic hip surgeon. In all cases of impingement, there was an isolated injury to the labrum at the 3-o'clock position. All were treated by arthroscopic iliopsoas tenotomy performed at the labral level. The MR examinations of the 47 patients were evaluated independently by two musculoskeletal radiologists who were blinded to the diagnosis. The following characteristics of the iliopsoas tendon at the level of the anterior labrum were evaluated: lateral dip, increased signal intensity (SI) between the iliopsoas tendon and labrum, irregularity of the deep margin of the iliopsoas tendon, edema within the iliopsoas tendon or capsule at the 3-o'clock position, presence of a labral tear at the 3-o'clock position, dimensions of the iliopsoas tendon, and location of iliopsoas tendon as it passed the labrum. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal Wallis test, Fisher exact test, and Cohen kappa. Values for p less than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Nineteen women (mean age, 35 years) and four men (mean age, 36 years) had central iliopsoas impingement. Sixteen women (mean age, 38 years) and eight men (mean age, 35 years) did not have central iliopsoas impingement (p=0.318). For the impingement and nonimpingement groups, lateral dip of the iliopsoas tendon was seen in 15 of 23 (65%) and 17 of 24 (71%) for reader 1 and 18 of 23 (78%) and 11 of 24 (46%) for reader 2, respectively (p=0.76 and 0.036, respectively). There was no difference between the groups for increased SI between the iliopsoas tendon and labrum (p=0.38 and 0.82, respectively), irregular deep margin of the iliopsoas tendon (p=0.61 and 0.35, respectively), thickness of the iliopsoas tendon (p=0.33), or tendon or capsule edema (p=0.37 and 0.77, respectively). Reader 1 found 20 of 23 and reader 2 18 of 23 labral tears at the 3-o'clock position in the iliopsoas impingement group, with 13 of 24 and 10 of 24 in the non-iliopsoas impingement group respectively (p=0.024 and 0.017, respectively). The combined iliopsoas tendon width for both readers was 10.2 mm (range, 8.1-14.3 mm) in women and 11.9 mm (range, 11.1-13.4 mm) in men in the iliopsoas impingement group (p=0.0285), and 11.0 mm (range, 9.0-12.6 mm) for women and 11.8 mm (range, 8.7-15.1 mm) for men in the non-iliopsoas impingement group (p=0.159). The iliopsoas tendon most commonly crossed the labrum at the 3-o'clock position in both groups (p=0.83-0.17). CONCLUSION: An acetabular labral tear at the 3-o'clock position should suggest the diagnosis of iliopsoas impingement.