Arthroscopic handlebar technique for the treatment of posterior malleolar fractures.

Treating posterior malleolar fractures of the ankle remains a challenge. The arthroscopic handlebar technique is our novel surgical method used for reduction and fixation of posterior malleolar fractures and involves the restoration of posterior malleolar fractures under anterior arthroscopic guidance and the use of Kirschner wires that penetrates the fractured posterior malleolus. Arthroscopy enables visualization of the intra-articular fracture of the posterior malleolus, and a handlebar reduction bar is used to control the fractured posterior malleolus. The arthroscopic handlebar technique is a promising procedure for reduction and internal fixation of the posterior malleolar fractures.

Investigation of Schwannomas in the Forearms, Hands, and Digits: A Retrospective Study.

Background: Previous reports on schwannomas of the upper extremities have mainly focused on proximal involvement. This study aimed to evaluate pre- and peri-operative findings in schwannomas of the distal upper extremities and assess the accuracy of diagnosis and surgical outcome. Methods: We identified 24 patients with isolated tumors. Seven patients had schwannomas located in the forearm, eleven in the hand, and six in the digits. We collected the following data: preoperative clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings, provisional diagnosis, surgical findings and procedures, tumor volume, and postoperative clinical findings. Data were compared between tumors of different locations. Results: The mean age of our cohort at the time of surgery was 48.0 years and the mean follow-up period was 10.6 months. All patients with forearm schwannomas were diagnosed preoperatively by the presence of the Tinel-like sign and suggestive magnetic resonance imaging findings. In contrast, schwannomas in the hands and digits often lacked these diagnostic features; only five patients with hand schwannomas and one with digit schwannoma were correctly diagnosed. Microsurgical enucleation was the most common treatment. Ten patients reported newly acquired paresthesia after operation, which resolved within the follow-up period in nine patients. Three of the four patients with preoperative paresthesia and one patient who underwent enucleation with surgical loupes still had paresthesia at the final follow-up. Conclusions: In schwannomas of the distal upper extremities, a more distal location is associated with a lower occurrence of the Tinel-like sign and fewer suggestive magnetic resonance imaging findings, resulting in lower diagnostic accuracy. However, intra-operative diagnosis is usually straightforward and microsurgical enucleation does not cause iatrogenic nerve deficit. When treating soft tissue tumors in the hand and digits that present without specific or suggestive findings, the possibility of schwannoma should be considered.

Arthroscopic superior capsule reconstruction with Teflon felt synthetic graft for irreparable massive rotator cuff tears: clinical and radiographic results at minimum 2-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Superior capsule reconstruction (SCR) was developed to improve shoulder function and relieve pain in patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears. Here, we investigated the clinical and radiographic outcomes and postoperative complications of SCR using a Teflon graft for reconstruction. METHODS: Thirty-five consecutive patients with irreparable rotator cuff tears underwent SCR with Teflon grafts. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, active shoulder elevation, shoulder muscle strength, visual analog scale pain scores, acromiohumeral distance, and postoperative complications were investigated. Data obtained before and after surgery were compared by using a paired t-test, χ2 test, and 1-way analysis of variance, and data from 1-layer-graft SCR (15 patients; mean age, 75.1 years) and 3-layer-graft SCR (20 patients; mean age, 76.6 years) were compared by using an unpaired t-test. The average time to final follow-up was 42 months (range, 24-69 months). RESULTS: SCR using Teflon grafts of either 1 or 3 layers significantly improved the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (by 20.8, P = .001 for a 1-layer graft; and by 31.1, P < .0001 for a 3-layer graft), visual analog scale score for motion pain (by 3.2, P = .001; and by 3.0, P < .0001), and muscle strength in shoulder abduction (by 11.9 N, P = .02; and by 10.9 N, P = .008). Active elevation at final follow-up was significantly greater in the 3-layer-graft group (142° ± 27°) than in the 1-layer-graft group (107° ± 42°) (P = .006). One year after SCR, acromiohumeral distance in the 3-layer-graft group was significantly greater than preoperatively (P = .04), whereas in the 1-layer-graft group, it was not. On postoperative magnetic resonance imaging, none of the patients in the 3-layer-graft group had graft tears, whereas 2 patients had graft tears and 1 patient had severe synovitis after 1-layer-graft SCR. CONCLUSION: SCR using a Teflon graft-especially a 3-layer graft-significantly improved shoulder function and shoulder abduction strength, with pain relief and a low rate of postoperative complications. SCR using a Teflon graft can be a viable option for irreparable rotator cuff tears, especially when an autograft or allograft is not available.