Results after the application of biodegradable spacer balloons as a therapeutic option in non-repairable massive ruptures of the shoulder rotator cuff. / Resultados tras la aplicación de balones espaciadores biodegradables como opción terapéutica en roturas masivas no reparables del manguito de los rotadores del hombro.

INTRODUCTION: One of the most frequently treated pathologies in our department are tendon lesions that affect the rotator cuff of the shoulder. There are different types of treatment for massive or irreparable tears. For a few years, a low-invasive technique was introduced based on the placement of a biodegradable subacromial spacer. The objective of the work is to analyse the results of our experience with the use of this device (InSpaceTM). MATERIAL AND METHOD: The study collects the results obtained in 25 patients with irreparable ruptures of rotator cuff defined by RM, in which they were implanted a balloon subacromial in our centre in the period from January 2015 - until December 2017. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and one year after surgery including the visual analogue scale (VAS), the Constant test (CS) and the QuickDASH (QD). RESULTS: Of the 25 patients, 5 patients (20%) were operated by arthroscopy and 20 (80%) By open approach (mini-open). A total of 22 patients completed the follow-up year. At 12 months, 64% of the patients obtained an improvement of at least 10 points in the CS. Patients departed from an initial average CS of 32 points that improved to 54.9 points of average in the postoperative evaluation at 12 months (average improvement 22.9 points; Value-p < 0.05). In terms of pain assessment, in our study, 87% of patients obtained an improvement of at least 2 points in the EVA at 12 months of follow-up (P-value < 0.05). Patients departed from an initial average EVA of 8.7 that improved to 3.7 points average at 12 months. 73% of the patients responded to be satisfied with the intervention and would return to the surgery. CONCLUSIóN: The results obtained in our series to one year of follow-up speak in favour of the use of the Subacromial Balloon (InSpaceTM), as a therapeutic option available for patients with irreparable ruptures of the rotator cuff. It can be used as an interim procedure, delaying the need for more invasive surgery, or as a definitive procedure in patients medically non-candidates for reverse arthroplasty. It is important to have clear indications of this procedure in order not to make mistakes.

Using WhatsApp® in our clinical practice: a pilot study. / El uso del WhatsApp® en nuestra práctica clínica: estudio piloto.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of WhatsApp as a clinical tool and determine the perception of orthopaedic surgeons of its usefulness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Orthopaedic surgeons attending a scientific meeting were invited to complete an anonymous and structured survey on the use of the application in the clinical setting. RESULTS: A total of 41 (38%) surveys were correctly completed. Of the respondents, 100% had been either senders or receivers of clinical information via the application. Ninety-three percent had used the application to consult in relation to a clinical case. Of the respondents, 78% belonged to a WhatsApp group in which clinical information is shared: 71% agreed that communication between clinicians through WhatsApp is a useful tool for making therapeutic decisions. CONCLUSION: The use of WhatsApp for clinical purposes by orthopaedic surgeons is widespread. Most consider it a useful tool in therapeutic decision making.

Wrist kinetics after scaphoidectomy.

BACKGROUND: The scaphoid cannot be excised without generating substantial carpal dysfunction. The extent and nature of such a destabilizing procedure, however, has never been properly studied in the laboratory. METHODS: We used a six-degrees-of-freedom motion tracking device to quantify the changes in carpal alignment produced by isometric simultaneous loading of five wrist motor tendons in 12 fresh normal cadaver arms, before and after excising the entire scaphoid. FINDINGS: In the intact wrist, tendon loading consistently extended and supinated the capitate while flexing the triquetrum. After scaphoidectomy, the opposite rotations were always found: the capitate collapsed into flexion and pronation, whereas the triquetrum migrated proximally, while extending and radial deviating. All these changes were statistically significant. INTERPRETATION: Unless it is supplemented by some sort of midcarpal stabilization, scaphoidectomy alone is much too aggressive as a procedure to be considered a treatment option for wrist osteoarthritis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Laboratory study. Not applicable.

Arthrodesis of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the 4th and 5th finger using an interlocking screw device to treat severe recurrence of Dupuytren's disease. / Artrodesis de la articulación Interfalángica proximal del 4.° y 5.° dedo utilizando un dispositivo de tornillos entrelazados a compresión en el tratamiento de la recidiva grave de la enfermedad de Dupuytren.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the radiological and functional outcome of arthrodesis of the 4th and 5th finger using the APEX™ (Extremity Medical, Parsippany,NJ)intermedullary interlocking screw system in patients with severe recurrence of Dupuytren's disease. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The DASH questionnaire and the VAS scale were used to assess the clinical outcomes. The angle of arthrodesis, fusion time and implant fixation were evaluated on x-rays. The patients were monitored for complications during surgery and the follow-up period. RESULTS: The sample comprised 6 patients. Mean follow up was 19.6 months. All of the patients presented clinical and radiological evidence of fusion at 8 weeks, with fusion angles of 30° (3) and 45° (3). There were no complications and none of the implants had to be removed. The functional outcomes in these patients were poor. CONCLUSION: The system offers a reliable method for IPJ arthrodesis at a precise angle. It promotes stable fixation that does not require prolonged immobilisation. It can be used together with other procedures on the hand with severe recurrence of DD. The functional outcomes for this group of patients using this device were poor.

Metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb arthrodesis using intramedullary interlocking screws XMCP™. / Artrodesis de la articulación metacarpofalángica del pulgar con tornillos intramedulares entrelazados de ángulo fijo XMCP™.

The study objective was to assess the results of a thumb metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) arthrodesis using intramedullary interlocking screws at 25°, XMCP ™ (Extremity Medical, Parsippany, NJ). Radiographs evaluated the angle of arthrodesis, time of fusion and fixation of the implant. Clinical and functional outcomes were assessed using the DASH questionnaire and the VAS scale. Any complications found during surgery or the follow-up period were noted. We studied 9 patients. The mean follow-up was 27.6 months. Patients showed clinical and radiological evidence of fusion in an average of 8 weeks, the angle of fusion was 25°. There were no complications and no implant had to be removed. The XMCP™ system provides a reliable method for MCPJ arthrodesis for several indications and can be used with other procedures in the complex hand.

[An analysis of patellar cartilage perfusion by dynamic magnetic resonance: its application to subjects with anterior pain of patellar origin]. / Análisis de la perfusión del cartílago rotuliano mediante resonancia magnética dinámica: aplicación en sujetos con dolor anterior de origen rotuliano.

INTRODUCTION: Patellar chondromalacia is thought to be secondary to a change in vascularization of subchondral tissue, which could affect the deeper layers of the cartilage. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether there are differences in joint cartilage perfusion and subchondral bone with dynamic studies of magnetic resonance (MR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen consecutive patients were studied. Patients were divided into individuals with pain of likely femoropatellar origin (n = 11) and controls (n = 6) by means of dynamic MR after the administration of intravenous contrast. Parametric images were obtained by means of digital analysis of maximal uptake, mean uptake and maximal rate of contrast uptake in the joint cartilage and subchondral bone. RESULTS: Uptake and maximal rate of cartilage, in its outer slope, were statistically higher for subjects with pain of likely femoropatellar origin than for controls (40.9 +/- 24.6 versus 23.3 +/- 4.6, p = 0.04, and 30.4 +/- 17.7 versus 17.4 +/- 2.6, p = 0.03, respectively). A higher perfusion of the cartilage was also observed in the qualitative analysis in patients with pain of likely femoropatellar origin (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The different uptake observed in the patellar cartilage allows to suppose that in chondromalacia there are vascular changes in the deeper layers of joint cartilage, characterized by an increase in perfusion.