Current Concepts in Compressive Neuropathies of the Upper Extremity.

The carpal and cubital tunnel syndromes are the most common compression neuropathies of the upper extremity. Although the diagnosis and management of these neuropathies have evolved over the past few decades, the ideal primary surgical treatment has not yet been established and management of recurrence remains a challenge. Revision surgery with simple repeated nerve decompression even accompanied by neurolysis does not always result in satisfactory clinical outcomes. Coverage with soft tissue or wrapping of the nerve with biologic or synthetic protective barriers can be used as an ancillary technique in the revision surgery to enhance nerve healing, preventing perineural scarring and adhesions. Future randomized larger trials combined with better understanding of nerve biology may be necessary to optimize primary and revision surgical treatment for carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome.

Ultrasound, Clinical, and Electrophysiological Findings in Persistent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We present the clinical, electrophysiological, and nerve ultrasound findings in cases of persistent carpal tunnel syndrome (PCTS). METHODS: Eighteen PCTS patients underwent evaluation with the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTSQ), electrophysiology, and nerve ultrasound with a mean of 3.5 months (SD ± 1.4) after open surgery. RESULTS: PCTS patients showed a mean symptom severity scale score of 3.1 (SD ± 1.1) and functional severity scale score of 3.2 (SD ± 0.9) in BCTSQ. Nerve conduction studies revealed axonal affection of the median nerve in 13/18 patients, ultrasound showed disturbed echogenicity in all patients, a pathological wrist to forearm ratio in 16/18 patients, and cross-sectional area enlargement of the median nerve at the distal wrist crease in 12/18 patients. Ultrasound documented scar tissue formation (in 12/18 patients), incomplete release of retinaculum flexorum (in 4/18 patients), and neuroma of the median nerve (in 2/18 patients) as PCTS cause. CONCLUSION: Our data show significant functional disability, axonal nerve damage, and scar tissue formation as common PCTS causes.

Arthroscopic Single-Row Versus Double-Row Suture Bridge Technique for Rotator Cuff Tears in Patients Younger Than 55 Years: A Prospective Comparative Study.

BACKGROUND: When arthroscopic rotator cuff repair is performed on a young patient, long-lasting structural and functional tendon integrity is desired. A fixation technique that potentially provides superior tendon healing should be considered for the younger population to achieve long-term clinical success. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose was to compare the radiological and clinical midterm results between single-row and double-row (ie, suture bridge) fixation techniques for arthroscopic rotator cuff repair in patients younger than 55 years. We hypothesized that a double-row technique would lead to improved tendon healing, resulting in superior mid- to long-term clinical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: A consecutive series of 66 patients younger than 55 years with a medium to large full-thickness tear of supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons who underwent arthroscopic single-row or double-row (ie, suture bridge) repair were enrolled and prospectively observed. Thirty-four and 32 patients were assigned to single-row and double-row groups, respectively. Postoperatively, tendon integrity was assessed by MRI following Sugaya's classification at a minimum of 12 months, and clinical outcomes were assessed with the Constant score and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) score at a minimum of 2 years. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 46 months (range, 28-50 months). A higher tendon healing rate was obtained in the double-row group compared with the single-row group (84% and 61%, respectively [ P < .05]). Although no difference in outcome scores was observed between the 2 techniques, patients with healed tendon demonstrated superior clinical outcomes compared with patients who had retorn tendon (UCLA score, 34.2 and 27.6, respectively [ P < .05]; Constant score, 94 and 76, respectively [ P < .05]). CONCLUSION: The double-row repair technique potentially provides superior tendon healing compared with the single-row technique. Double-row repair should be considered for patients younger than 55 years with medium to large rotator cuff tears.

Chronic Essex-Lopresti injuries: an alternative treatment method.

BACKGROUND: Currently, no technique has met general acceptance for the restoration of forearm longitudinal stability in chronic Essex-Lopresti injuries. The purpose of this study is to present an alternative treatment method for chronic Essex-Lopresti lesions by radial head replacement and ulnar shortening osteotomy. METHODS: Seven patients with a mean age of 42.4 years were included in the study. Five patients had a staged approach, and 2 underwent both procedures simultaneously. The pain level was assessed with the use of a visual analog scale. Elbow, forearm, and wrist range of motion was evaluated. The Mayo Elbow Performance Score and Mayo Wrist Score were used to assess the postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 33 months. The mean pain level was reduced from 8.4 points preoperatively to 3.3 points postoperatively (P < .05). The elbow arc of motion was increased on average from 79° preoperatively to 121° postoperatively (P < .05). Forearm rotation improved from 76° preoperatively to 119° postoperatively (P < .05). The wrist arc of motion improved from 94° preoperatively to 114° postoperatively (P < .05). The mean postoperative Mayo Elbow Performance Score and Mayo Wrist Score were 82 points and 71 points, respectively. The mean ulnar variance was reduced from +8 mm to +3.5 mm postoperatively. CONCLUSION: This study shows that radial head replacement in combination with ulnar shortening osteotomy can be used as an alternative reconstructive procedure in the case of a complex chronic Essex-Lopresti injury. This combination of known procedures yields predictable and satisfactory outcomes and a low complication rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series, treatment study.

Human dermal allograft interposition for the reconstruction of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears.

This retrospective study sought to determine the effectiveness of the acellular human dermal allograft as a bridging device for reconstruction of massive irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCTs). Fourteen patients with an average age of 54.6 years underwent open reconstruction for massive irreparable RCTs. Significant improvement was found for pain and range of motion (ROM). Patient satisfaction was high. The mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score improved from 23.8 points preoperatively to 72.3 postoperatively (P = .001). A significant correlation was found between the size of the tendon gap, which was bridged with the allograft, and the pain, ROM and ASES score. Patients with less than 2 cm tendon gap had a better outcome than those with greater tendon defects. Open reconstruction of chronic massive irreparable RCTs with human dermal allograft interposition is an alternative technique with encouraging short-term results. Our study indicates that the dermal allograft can be used safely to bridge tendon gaps of up to 2 cm with great success.

The contracted elbow: is ulnar nerve release necessary?

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic release of the ulnar nerve in patients undergoing capsular release for severe elbow contractures has been recommended, although there are limited data to support this recommendation. Our hypothesis was that more severely limited preoperative flexion and extension would be associated with a higher incidence of postoperative ulnar nerve symptoms in patients undergoing capsular release. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 164 consecutive patients who underwent open or arthroscopic elbow capsular release for stiffness between 2003 and 2010. The ulnar nerve was decompressed if the patient had preoperative ulnar nerve symptoms or a positive Tinel test. Preoperative and postoperative range of motion and incidence of ulnar nerve symptoms were recorded. RESULTS: The mean improvement in the arc of motion of was 36.7°. New-onset postoperative ulnar nerve symptoms developed in 7 of 87 patients (8.1%) who did not undergo ulnar nerve decompression; eventually, 5 of these patients with persistent symptoms underwent ulnar nerve decompression. The rate of developing postoperative symptoms was higher if patients had preoperative flexion ≤ 100° (15.2%) compared with those with preoperative flexion >100° (3.7%). There was no association between preoperative extension or gain in motion arc and postoperative symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The overall rate of ulnar nerve symptoms after elbow contracture release was low if ulnar nerve decompression was performed in patients with preoperative symptoms or a positive Tinel test. There was a higher rate of ulnar nerve symptoms in patients with more severe contractures (≤ 100° of preoperative flexion), which did not reach statistical significance.

Supplemental graft fixation for distal radius vascularized bone graft.

Vascularized bone grafts from the distal radius have been used successfully for the treatment of scaphoid nonunions. Typically, the harvested graft is secured into the scaphoid with a press-fit technique. This type of fixation may lead to graft extrusion in the early postoperative period, and thus to treatment failure. In this technical note, we describe the use of micro bone suture anchors for supplemental fixation of the vascularized bone graft into the scaphoid. It is a simple and quick technique and provides an enhanced fixation of the vascularized bone graft, which is beneficial during the early critical period of bone healing.

Radial nerve palsy associated with humeral shaft fracture. Is the energy of trauma a prognostic factor?

BACKGROUND: Radial nerve palsy associated with humeral shaft fractures is the most common nerve lesion complicating fractures of long bones. The purpose of the study was to review the outcome of surgical management in patients with low energy and high energy radial nerve palsy after humeral shaft fractures. METHODS: Eighteen patients were treated operatively for a humeral shaft fracture with radial nerve palsy. The mean age was 32.2 years and the mean follow up time was 66.1 months (range: 30-104). The surgical management included fracture fixation with early nerve exploration and repair if needed. The patients were divided in two groups based on the energy of trauma (low vs. high trauma energy). The prevalence of injured and unrecovered nerves and time to nerve recovery were analysed. RESULTS: Five patients sustained low and 13 high energy trauma. All patients with low energy trauma had an intact (4) or entrapped (1) radial nerve and recovered completely. Full nerve recovery was also achieved in five of 13 patients with high energy trauma where the nerve was found intact or entrapped. Signs of initial recovery were present in a mean of 3.2 weeks (range: 1-8) for the low energy group and 12 weeks (range: 3-23) for the high energy group (p=0.036). In these patients, the average time to full recovery was 14 and 26 weeks for the low and high energy trauma group respectively. Eight patients with high energy trauma had severely damaged nerves and failed to recover, although microsurgical nerve reconstruction was performed in 4 cases. Patients with high energy trauma had a prolonged fracture healing time (18.7 weeks on average) compared to those with low energy fractures (10.4 weeks), (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of the radial nerve palsy following humeral fractures is associated to the initial trauma. Palsies that are part of a low energy fracture uniformly recover and therefore primary surgical exploration seems unnecessary. In high energy fractures, neurotmesis or severe contusion must be expected. In this case nerve recovery is unfavourable and the patients should be informed of the poor prognosis and the need of tendon transfers.

Assessment of processed porcine extracellular matrix as a protective barrier in a rabbit nerve wrap model.

Nerve wrapping can improve outcomes by protecting nerves in a scarred tissue bed. Autologous tissue wraps have shown good results, but there are limitations associated with harvesting and availability. Extracellular matrix (ECM) derived from porcine small intestinal submucosa offers an attractive off-the-shelf option. This study evaluated this material as a nerve wrap. The sciatic nerves of 18 New Zealand rabbits were exposed and then wrapped, while the contralateral side served as sham control. Presence and quality of adhesions, motor conduction velocity (MCV), and histology were evaluated at 1, 2, and 6 months ( N = 6 animals per time point). The quality, extent, tenacity, and overall impression of adhesions were not different from control at any time point ( P = 0.18 to 0.99). MCV was also not statistically different from control (1 month, P = 0.35; 2 months, P = 0.20; 6 months, P = 0.83). Histology demonstrated that wrapped nerves were healthy in terms of myelination, density, and vascularity compared with controls. Vascularization and incorporation of the ECM material could be visualized at explants. All assessments supported the feasibility and safety of this material as a nerve wrap. Its ability to function as a protective barrier has strong implications for clinical use in trauma and/or recurrent compression neuropathies.

Repair of an anteroinferior glenoid defect by the latarjet procedure: quantitative assessment of the repair by computed tomography.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine quantitatively whether the Latarjet procedure (coracoid transfer to the glenoid) is sufficient to restore a significant defect area of the glenoid. METHODS: Fourteen cadaveric shoulders were used (mean age, 76 years; range, 72 to 87 years). An anteroinferior glenoid defect was created and then the coracoid osteotomized to its angle and transferred to the defect. A 3-dimensional computed tomography scan was used to calculate the surface area of (1) the intact glenoid, (2) the osteotomized glenoid, and (3) the reconstructed glenoid. RESULTS: The mean area of the intact inferior glenoid was 734 +/- 89 mm(2). After creation of the defect, the surface area of the glenoid was reduced significantly to 523 +/- 55 mm(2) (P = .011). The mean defect area was 28.7% +/- 6% of the intact glenoid. After coracoid transfer, the mean surface area of the reconstructed glenoid was 708 +/- 71 mm(2) but it was not significantly smaller than that of the intact glenoid (P = .274). The mean surface area of the coracoid that was used to repair the defect was 198 +/- 34 mm(2), or 27% +/- 5% of the intact glenoid. CONCLUSIONS: In our cadaveric model, a mean 29% defect size of the inferior glenoid was restored to normal after coracoid transfer by use of the Latarjet procedure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In the clinical scenario, the existence of a glenoid bone defect of more than 25% to 30% is very rare in patients with anterior shoulder instability. Therefore, when clinically indicated, large bony defects of the anterior glenoid can be adequately treated by the Latarjet procedure.

Triple nerve block at the knee for foot and ankle surgery performed by the surgeon: difficulties and efficiency.

BACKGROUND: Combined nerve blocks at the knee can provide safe anesthesia below the knee avoiding the potential complications of general or spinal anesthesia while reducing the need for opioids in the postoperative period. This study presents the outcomes of a large series of patients that underwent foot and ankle surgery receiving a triple nerve block at the knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three hundred eighty patients underwent foot and ankle surgery receiving anesthesia with triple nerve block at the knee (tibial, common peroneal and saphenous nerve). Surgery included a variety of bone and soft tissue procedures. The nerve block was performed by an orthopaedic surgeon in the lateral decubitus position. RESULTS: The successful nerve block rate was 91 percent. There was no need to convert to general or spinal anesthesia, although 34 patients (9%) needed additional analgesia intraoperatively. Complete anesthesia required 25 to 30 minutes from the time of performing the block. No complication occurred secondary to the use of the anesthetic agent (ropivacaine 7.5%). Postoperative analgesia lasted from 5 to 12 hours, reducing the need of additional analgesics. Hospitalization averaged 1.4 days (from 0 to 5) with the majority of patients discharged the day after the operation (248/380). A high satisfaction rate was reported by the patients with no adverse effects and complications. CONCLUSION: We found triple nerve block at the knee to be a safe and reliable method of regional anesthesia providing low morbidity, high success rate, long acting analgesia, and fewer complications than general or spinal anesthesia. It is a simple method that can be performed by the orthopaedic surgeon.

One-bone forearm reconstruction procedure as salvage operation after severe upper extremity trauma: a case report.

An industrial worker in his early 20s sustained a severe injury to the right dominant upper extremity: fracture, inversion, and complete devascularization of the ulna; transection of the median nerve, the radial artery, and almost all flexor tendons of the hand and fingers; loss of all extensor muscles; and transection of the biceps and brachialis muscles at the elbow. Treatment consisted of conversion to one-bone forearm, immediate reconstruction of the biceps and brachialis muscles and of all flexor tendons of the hand, repair of the radial artery and median nerve and late tendon transfer for extension of the wrist and fingers. Two and a half years after injury, the patient had full flexion and extension of the elbow, full extension but limited flexion of the wrist, and full flexion and extension of the fingers.

Arthroscopic repair for chronic anterior shoulder instability: a comparative study between patients with Bankart lesions and patients with combined Bankart and superior labral anterior posterior lesions.

BACKGROUND: Although labrum lesions in patients with chronic anterior shoulder instability may not only involve detachment of the anteroinferior labrum but a lesion of the superior glenoid labrum as well, no studies have compared the clinical outcome between patients with a lesion of the anteroinferior labrum and patients with a combined lesion of the anterior and superior labrum after arthroscopic shoulder stabilization. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic repair of a combined lesion of the anterior and superior labrum may have inferior clinical outcome to repair of an anterior lesion only in patients with anterior shoulder instability. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Sixty-three patients operated on for anterior shoulder instability between April 2002 and June 2006 were included in this study. Patients with bone deficiency were excluded. Fixation of the detached labrum was performed using suture anchors. Thirty-eight patients had a lesion of the anterior labrum (group A), and 25 had a combined lesion of the anterior and superior labrum (group B). Patients were evaluated after a 2-year minimum follow-up with Constant and Rowe scores. Failure was defined as a redislocation or a subluxation episode. RESULTS: Patients in group B experienced a significantly higher number of dislocations preoperatively (P < .05). However, there was no difference between the 2 groups regarding the failure rate postoperatively. One patient from each group had a failed result. A mean loss of 5 degrees and 8 degrees of external rotation at 90 degrees of abduction was noted in patients in groups A and B, respectively (P = .113). The Constant score was 94 in group A and 93 in group B (P = .435). The Rowe score was 91 in group A and 90 in group B (P = .338). CONCLUSION: There are no differences in shoulder stability and function in patients with anterior shoulder instability and a lesion of the anteroinferior labrum and patients with an extended lesion of the anterior and superior labrum after arthroscopic shoulder stabilization.

Differences in graft orientation using the transtibial and anteromedial portal technique in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a magnetic resonance imaging study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in graft orientation between transtibial (TT) and anteromedial (AM) portal technique using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Fifty-six patients who were undergoing ACL reconstruction underwent MRI of their healthy and reconstructed knee. Thirty patients had ACL reconstruction using the TT (group A), while in the remaining 26 the AM (group B) was used. In the femoral part graft orientation was evaluated in the coronal plane using the femoral graft angle (FGA). The FGA was defined as the angle between the axis of the femoral tunnel and the joint line. In the tibial part graft orientation was evaluated in the sagittal plane using the tibial graft angle (TGA). The TGA was defined as the angle between the axis of the tibial tunnel and a line perpendicular to the long axis of the tibia. The ACL angle of the normal knee in the sagittal view was also calculated. The mean FGA for group A was 72 degrees, while for the group B was 53 degrees and this was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The mean TGA for group A was 64 degrees, while for the group B was 63 degrees (P = 0.256). The mean intact ACL angle for group A was 52 degrees, while for the group B was 51 degrees. The difference between TGA and intact ACL angle was statistically significant (P < 0.001) for both groups. Using the AM portal technique, the ACL graft is placed in a more oblique direction in comparison with the TT technique in the femoral part. However, there are no differences between the two techniques in graft orientation in the tibial part. Normal sagittal obliquity is not restored with both techniques.