Results of treatment of osteoarthritis of the scaphotrapeziotrapezoidal joint with tendon allograft interposition.

The aim of the study was to determine if the use of tendon allografts in combination with distal scaphoid resection for the treatment of isolated STT arthrosis is a save procedure. We reviewed the postoperative complications, re-operations, clinical and radiological results of this treatment modality. A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Investigated parameters include wrist mobility (wrist extension and -flexion), strength (grip- and pinch strength), patient-reported outcome scores : Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score (Q-DASH) and Patient Rated Wrist/Hand Evaluation score (PRWHE) and radiographic measurements : scapholunate (SL) angle, radiolunate (RL) angle and capitolunate (CL) angle. Ten wrists were included in nine patients. No revision surgery was performed. Two patients had transient neuropraxia of the radial nerve. Postoperative flexion-extension arc was 112°. Grip-strength was significantly increased after surgery (20 to 28kg). The average VAS score the past week was 1.75 (range 0-6.7), the average maximum VAS score was 3.0 (range 0-10). The mean PRWHE score was 16.6 (range 0- 69). The mean Q-DASH score was 17.95 (range 0-51). The current study indicates that distal scaphoid resection for isolated STT arthritis is a save procedure with minimal complications. It significantly improves grip strength. Mobility of the wrist was similar to contralateral wrist after surgery. Pain postoperatively was very limited (low VAS scores) and good functional scores (Q-DASH and PRWHE) were noted. Our findings support the prior findings that excisional arthroplasty might worsen carpal instability.

Results of treatment of trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis with trapeziectomy and tendon allograft interposition.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of treatment of osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb with tendon allograft interposition. Fifty-three patients (61 hands), 13 men and 40 women, were operated on at a mean age of 61 years. A partial trapeziectomy with tendon interposition was performed in 19 hands and with suspension arthroplasty in 24. Seventeen thumbs underwent a total trapeziectomy with suspension arthroplasty. Patients were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 4 years. In 34 patients (41 hands), a mean disability of arm, shoulder and hand score of 19 was found and a mean visual analogue scale for pain of 1.3. The satisfaction rate was 83 %. Revision operations were performed in 8 out of 61 hands. Four of those thumbs had been operated on previously or did not have primary osteoarthritis. No revisions were needed after partial trapeziectomy and tendon allograft interposition with suspension arthroplasty. In conclusion, tendon allograft interposition can be considered as one of the treatment options for osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb.

Clinical and radiological characteristics of 82 solitary benign peripheral nerve tumours.

Benign peripheral nerve tumours are rare lesions. The surgical treatment and clinical outcomes depend on the resectability. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify clinical or radiological features that may predict the surgical technique that should be used to improve clinical outcome. Eighty-two patients were diagnosed with solitary benign peripheral nerve tumours. Fifty-five tumours were surgically resectable, and 27 were nonresectable. Pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound were used, which were predictive of the neural origin of the tumours in 87% (39/45) of cases imaged. In 78% (50/64) of cases imaged, an origin from the nerve sheath (peripheral nerve sheath tumour), or from non-neural elements was possible. However, no imaging or clinical criteria were identified that could determine tumour resectability preoperatively. The diagnosis of solitary peripheral nerve tumour still relies on the macroscopic appearance and definitive histology after epineurotomy.

Treatment of distal radius fractures with palmar plates and locking screws. Comparisson of two different types of plate.

Various plating systems are available to fix distal radius fractures, each with a specific design. The purpose of this study was to compare radiological outcome and complications of the Variable Angle LCP Plate 2.4-mm (DePuy Synthes) with the VariAx volar locking plate (Stryker). One hundred patients (103 wrists) operated on for a distal radius fracture were retrospectively reviewed with a mean follow-up of 3.5 years. Seventy-three wrists were treated with a DePuy Synthes plate and 30 with a VariAx plate. The overall complication rate was 32%. Nineteen cases underwent revision surgery, 18 had malunion and 3 complex regional pain syndrome. Complicaton rate was 43% with DePuy Synthes plates and 27% with Variax plates, but the difference was not significant.

Ten-year outcomes of the Arpe prosthesis for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint.

Outcomes of 66 Arpe prostheses in 50 patients treated for osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint were investigated with a mean follow-up of ten years. Ten-year survival was 87% when failure was defined as implant removal followed by trapeziectomy and tendon interposition. Ten-year survival was 82% when revision of the cup was also considered as failure and it was 80% when replacement of the neck alone was also chosen as an endpoint. Of the 52 prostheses that were not revised mean DASH score was 11, mean pain score 1.2 and mean score for satisfaction 9.5. It can be concluded that the majority of patients who did not underwent revision surgery were satisfied and had little or no pain. However, long-term survival of the Arpe prosthesis was moderate and patients should be warned that after ten years the risk for reoperation might be up to 20%.

Results of ulnar shortening osteotomy in patients with ulnar wrist pain. A retrospective study.

The aim of the study was to find out if ulnar shortening is effective to treat ulnar wrist pain and which factors influence outcome. Thirty-seven patients were evalua- ted with a mean follow-up of 4.5 years. Thirty patients (81%) would undergo the same operation again although 21 (57%) had residual ulnar wrist pain. Mean disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score was 22 and mean patient rated wrist evaluation score (PRWE) was 33. DASH and PRWE scores were better in smokers, in patients operated on the non- dominant side and when follow-up was longer. PRWE score was worse in posttraumatic cases. Age, gender and type of osteotomy did not influence outcome. Three patients (8%) needed an additional operation for nonunion and in 17 (46%) plate and screws had to be removed. It can be concluded that ulnar shortening can be proposed to treat ulnocarpal wrist pain, but complete pain relief cannot be guaranteed and additional surgery may be required.

Tennis elbow: associated psychological factors.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of tennis elbow is multifactorial. Overuse of the wrist extensors along with anatomic factors, such as flexibility problems, aging, and poor blood circulation, may play a role. This study investigated whether patients with tennis elbow have a different psychological profile compared with healthy controls. METHODS: Patients with clinical signs of tennis elbow, consulting at the Ghent University Hospital between September 2015 and January 2017, were offered a paper-and-pencil questionnaire about Big Five personality traits, perfectionism, anxiety, depression, work satisfaction, and working conditions. Healthy controls in the same risk group were offered the same questionnaires. RESULTS: We recruited 69 patients (35 men, 34 women) and 100 controls (44 men, 56 women). Tennis elbow patients scored significantly lower on the personality traits extraversion and agreeableness. Men, in particular, scored significantly higher on perfectionism and were more likely to develop an anxiety disorder or a depression. Concerning work, patients indicated a significantly higher workload (especially men) and a significantly lower autonomy (especially women). Female patients also indicated less contact with colleagues. However, work satisfaction was relatively high in both groups. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that there is a relationship between complaints related to tennis elbow and psychological characteristics.

Limits Of Indications Of The Morrison Wrap-Around Procedure In Thumb Reconstruction.

The thumb contributes approximately 40 percent of hand function. In the case of an amputation, where replantation/revascularisation is impossible, a reconstruction should be planned as the second best treatment. Morrison described in 1980 the technique of a wrap-around partial great toe transfer. According to Morrison, the technique is best suited for reconstruction of the thumb distal to the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ). In this study, we retrospectively report on 10 thumb reconstructions using the wraparound flap from the great toe. Functional results according to the level of amputation are compared. We found in our limited series, that although better results are achieved when the amputation was distal to the MCPJ, the 'wraparound' reconstruction technique still yielded acceptable functional results and outcome in amputation levels through or proximal to the MCPJ.

Measurement of ulnar variance and radial inclination on X-rays of healed distal radius fractures. With the axis of the distal radius or ulna?

Ulnar variance and radial inclination are radiological parameters frequently used to evaluate displacement of distal radius fractures. In most studies measurements are based on the long central axis of the distal radius, although the axis of the distal ulna can also be used. The purpose of this study was to determine which axis is more reliable. Four observers performed measurements on standard anteroposterior digital wrist X-rays of 20 patients taken 1 and 2 months after sustaining an extra-articular distal radius fracture. Intraobserver reliability was similar with both methods. No difference was found in interobserver reliability between both methods for ulnar variance, but for radial inclination it was better with the axis through the radius. Measurements on two X-rays of the same wrist taken at a different moment were similar with both methods. It can be concluded that the central axis of the distal radius can remain the basis to determine ulnar variance and radial inclination.

Validation of radiographic assessment of radiocarpal (mal)alignment in a normal population.

We measured radiocarpal alignment in 150 standard lateral radiographs of normal wrists. In 84% of the cases, the lines of the long axis of the capitate and radius did not cross within the carpus.