Comparison of Surgical Outcomes of Percutaneous K-Wire Fixation in Bony Mallet Fingers with Use of Towel Clip versus 18-Gauge Needle

PURPOSE: The purpose was to describe comparative analysis of the surgical outcome of percutaneous K-wire fixation of bony mallet fingers reduced with towel clip and 18-gauge needle. METHODS: We analyzed the bony mallet finger patients with more than twelve months follow-up after percutaneous K-wire fixation. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. Eighteen fingers were treated with closed reduction using towel clip and 18 other fingers were treated with closed reduction using 18-gauge needle. RESULTS: Radiographs showed bony union and no subluxation in all cases after K-wire removal. The average extension lag was 2.8degrees/1.9degrees, and range of motion of distal interphalangeal joint was 70.3degrees/75degrees respectively. According to Crawford's criteria, excellent results were obtained in 9/11 fingers, good results in 8/7 fingers, and poor result in 1/0 finger, respectively. CONCLUSION: 18-gauge needle reduction in percutaneous K-wire fixation is considered less invasive and useful method for treatment of bony mallet finger with comparable results with towel clip reduction.

Bizarre Parosteal Osteochondromatous Proliferation in the Proximal Phalanx of the Third Toe: A Case Report / 대한골관절종양학회지

Bizarre parosteal osteochondromatous proliferation (BPOP) otherwise known as Nora's lesion, is a benign surface tumor of the small tubular bone of the hands and feet with high probability of local recurrence. The report of BPOP in the foot is very rare in our country. We report a case of BPOP of proximal phalanx of right 3rd toe in 44-year-old female, successfully managed by en-bloc marginal excision with a review of the literatures.

Treatment of Metacarpal Shaft Fractures with Retrograde Intramedullary Kirschner-Wire Fixation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical results of retrograde intramedullary fixation of metacarpal shaft fractures using two pre-bent Kirschner wires. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between March 2006 and May 2008, 19 cases (17 patients) of metacarpal shaft fractures were treated with the retrograde intramedullary Kirschner-wire fixation and followed at least one year. The exclusion criteria were thumb metacarpal fractures, comminuted fractures and irreducible metacarpal spiral shaft fracture by closed manipulation. At final follow up all the cases were assessed with total active motion(TAM), rotational deformity, bony union and angular deformity based on the plain radiographes. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, all cases achieved bony union. Five cases showed less than 5degrees of dorsal angular deformity. The average union period was 6.3 weeks (range, 5-9weeks). Fifteen cases (79%) showed excellent results, four cases good results based on TAM. No case showed rotational deformity. Two cases had skin irritation by distal wire end, which was subsided after wire removal. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a metacarpal shaft fracture, retrograde intramedullary fixation using two pre-bent K-wires can provide satisfactory clinical results.

Closed Reduction and Percutaneous K-Wire Fixation of Bony Mallet Finger Using an 18 Gauge Needle

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of the treatment of the percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation of bony mallet finger using an 18 gauge needle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2002 to September 2009, we performed closed reduction using an 18 gauge needle and percutaneous fixation with Kirschner wire for 15 cases of bony mallet finger and followed up at least 1 year. The fractures were classified by the Wehbe and Schneider's method. Indications of operative treatment were fractures involving more than 30% of articular surface, fracture fragments displaced more than 3 mm, or subluxation of the distal interphalangeal joint. The results were evaluated by the Crawford criteria. RESULTS: All the fractures united, with an average healing time of 5.3 weeks(4-6 weeks). According to Crawford criteria, 10 cases were excellent, 5 cases were fair at a mean follow-up of 13 months. There were no pin tract infections and migrations of the pin. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous Kirschner wire fixation of mallet finger using an 18 gauge needle is an easy technique which can achieve anatomical reduction and diminish operation-related complications.

Treatment of Lateral Malleolar Fracture Associated with Disruption of the Deltoid Ligament / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To evaluate the necessity for repair of associated deltoid ligament rupture in lateral malleolar fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty of twenty-five patients were evaluated. Each received surgical treatment without repair of the ruptured deltoid ligament. We found that the medial clear space was widened more than 5 mm in intraoperative stress tests which had been done between May 2003 and June 2008. We did follow-up on these patients for more than 1 year after surgery. At the final follow-up, radiologic and clinical assessment were evaluated on plain X-ray and according to Olerud Molander ankle scores. RESULTS: Open reduction and internal fixation of the lateral malleolar was done in all cases and an additional transfixation screw was needed in 17 patients who had concurrent syndesmotic disruption. Average medial clear space widening before surgery was 9.28 mm (7.0-17.14 mm), at final follow-up time it was 3.43 mm (2.9-5.28 mm). And there were 8 (40%) good, 10 (50%) fair and 2 (10%) poor ratings on radiologic evaluation, but the mean clinical score was 93.75, with 17 (85%) being excellent, 2 (10%) good and 1 (5%) fair on clinical evaluation. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of lateral malleolus fracture associated with disruption of the deltoid ligament, satisfactory clinical results could be obtained including lateral joint stability, with accurate anatomical reduction and internal fixation of the lateral malleolus and distal tibio-fibular joints. Medial joint stability could be obtained without deltoid ligament repair.

Surgical Treatment of Symptomatic Accessory Navicular in Adolescent / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To investigate the results of surgical treatment of the symptomatic accessory navicular in adolescent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 11 patients who were 11~16 years old with symptomatic accessory navicular were identified between 2001 and 2009. Six cases were diagnosed after trauma and 8 cases were diagnosed by accident with painful bony protrusion on medial aspect of foot. In cases after at least 3 months of ineffective conservative treatment, patients were treated by resection of accessory navicular and reattachment of tibialis posterior tendon to the apex of the medial longitudinal arch using periosteum and ligamentous soft tissue without transposition of its course. And then short leg cast was applied for correction of the flat foot (if it is combined) which was molded into the longitudinal arch with the talonavicular joint released and foot inverted during about 6 weeks. RESULTS: All were type II accessory navicular without tibialis posterior tendon lesions. In most cases pain was improved, results were excellent in seven and good in four. Calcaneal pitch angle and talus-first metatarsal angle was improved about 4.64degrees and 5.79degrees in average. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic accessory navicular in adolescent might not be associated with the tibialis posterior tendon lesions. The surgical treatment composed of excision of the accessory navicular with simple replication of the tibialis posterior tendon without altering its course led to good results in most cases. The procedure has a low rate of complications. And it is easy to be performed with a good satisfaction.

Surgical Treatment of Symptomatic Accessory Navicular in Adolescent / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To investigate the results of surgical treatment of the symptomatic accessory navicular in adolescent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 11 patients who were 11~16 years old with symptomatic accessory navicular were identified between 2001 and 2009. Six cases were diagnosed after trauma and 8 cases were diagnosed by accident with painful bony protrusion on medial aspect of foot. In cases after at least 3 months of ineffective conservative treatment, patients were treated by resection of accessory navicular and reattachment of tibialis posterior tendon to the apex of the medial longitudinal arch using periosteum and ligamentous soft tissue without transposition of its course. And then short leg cast was applied for correction of the flat foot (if it is combined) which was molded into the longitudinal arch with the talonavicular joint released and foot inverted during about 6 weeks. RESULTS: All were type II accessory navicular without tibialis posterior tendon lesions. In most cases pain was improved, results were excellent in seven and good in four. Calcaneal pitch angle and talus-first metatarsal angle was improved about 4.64degrees and 5.79degrees in average. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic accessory navicular in adolescent might not be associated with the tibialis posterior tendon lesions. The surgical treatment composed of excision of the accessory navicular with simple replication of the tibialis posterior tendon without altering its course led to good results in most cases. The procedure has a low rate of complications. And it is easy to be performed with a good satisfaction.

Expression of Growth Factors and Cytokines in Patients withDegenerated Disc Disease and Herniated Nucleus Pulposus

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of cytokines and growth factors in disc specimens obtained from small numbers of patients with herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) and degenerated disc disease (DDD). METHOD: A total of ten human intervertebral disc samples consisted of five painful degenerative discs and five herniated intervertebal discs were obtained from surgery. MRI and Western blot analyses on these disc samples were performed to determine the levels of disc degeneration and the expression levels of cytokines and growth factors. RESULTS: The levels of IL-6 were significantly greater in the DDD patients than in the HNP patients, but no statistical differences were observed in the expression of IL-1beta, IL-8 and TNF-alpha between the HNP and DDD patients. In addition, the expression of TGF beta was significantly higher in the DDD patients than in the HNP patients. CONCLUSION: The higher levels of cytokine and growth factor expression in the DDD than in the HNP show why discogenic patients usually have more severe back pain than patients with herniated discs.

Arthroscopic Repair for Traumatic Peripheral Tear of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex

PURPOSE: To assess the results of an arthroscopic repair for traumatic peripheral tears of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC, Palmer type Ib). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10 patients with traumatic peripheral TFCC tear were treated with outside-in technique with arthroscope and evaluated with an average follow-up of 19 months (range, 15 to 28 months). The clinical outcomes were assessed with investigation of pain, range of motion, grip strength, return to job and patient's satisfaction. RESULTS: The arthroscopic repair of traumatic peripheral TFCC tear resulted in significant pain relief and increase in functional ability of wrist, that is, 8 excellent, 1 good and 1 fair results. At last follow-up, the average of flexion was 79° (range 76~86°), average of extension was 78° (range 70~84°), average pronation was 85° (range 75~91°) and average supination was 87° (range 79~92°). Nine patients except one were back to their original job. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic repair of traumatic peripheral TFCC tear could be used for pain relief and increase in functional ability of wrist.

Arthroscopic Repair for Traumatic Peripheral Tear of Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex

PURPOSE: To assess the results of an arthroscopic repair for traumatic peripheral tears of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC, Palmer type Ib). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 10 patients with traumatic peripheral TFCC tear were treated with outside-in technique with arthroscope and evaluated with an average follow-up of 19 months (range, 15 to 28 months). The clinical outcomes were assessed with investigation of pain, range of motion, grip strength, return to job and patient's satisfaction. RESULTS: The arthroscopic repair of traumatic peripheral TFCC tear resulted in significant pain relief and increase in functional ability of wrist, that is, 8 excellent, 1 good and 1 fair results. At last follow-up, the average of flexion was 79° (range 76~86°), average of extension was 78° (range 70~84°), average pronation was 85° (range 75~91°) and average supination was 87° (range 79~92°). Nine patients except one were back to their original job. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic repair of traumatic peripheral TFCC tear could be used for pain relief and increase in functional ability of wrist.

Tumoral Calcinosis in The Knee Joint Causing Acute Symptoms : A Case Report

A sixty-eight-year-old female presented with suddenly developed pain in the left knee joint. On the first visit, there was severe tenderness on the anterolateral aspect of the knee joint with active flexion and extension limited by pain. Radiographs revealed multiple round calcific masses in the anterolateral aspect of the knee joint. Under the impression of intraarticular lesions, we performed arthroscopic examination of the knee joint, which revealed no intraarticular pathology. The masses were found in the extracapsular soft tissue and we performed excisional biopsy of the masses completely. The masses were confirmed as tumoral calcinosis by histopathologic examination. It rarely occurs around the knee joint and is usually asymptomatic. Idiopathic tumoral calcinosis with acute symptoms must be differentiated from other pathologic conditions such as gout or infection. The clinical manifestation of this case was opposed to the previous reports. So we report a rare case of idiopathic tumoral calcinosis of the knee joint with acute symptoms.

Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Multilevel Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Associated with Degenerative Scoliosis / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: In this study, 18 patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion for multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis associated with degenerative scoliosis were reviewed retrospectively. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of the cage-instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion in multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis associated with degenerative scoliosis. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Degenerative lumbar scoliosis with the problems of neurogenic claudication, mechanical back pain and spinal deformity present a challenge for treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 18 surgical cases of multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative scoliosis from March 1995 to April 2000 with an average follow up period of 2.9 years. We assessed the radiographic results of scoliotic angle correction and sagittal angle correction of the maximum curve and fused segment and disc height restoration. Clinical results were evaluated according to the Kirkaldy-Willis criteria. RESULTS: Mean scoliotic angle at preoperative, postoperative and final follow-up (maximum curve/fused segment) was 17.7-6.1-7.3degree /15.0-5.8-6.1degree respectively. Mean sagittal angle corresponding to each period was 12.1-34.1-32.7degree /8.3-27.0-26.0degree respectively. Mean disc height corresponding to each period was 22.9-42.4-40.5% respectively. The clinical result was analyzed as 15 satisfactory (83.3%), 3 fair (16.7%) and no poor. Fusion success was achieved in all patients. There were no serious complications except one case of fusion extension distally and no significant curve progression within follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: The cage-posterior lumbar interbody fusion in multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative scoliosis was effective for correction of scoliotic and sagittal deformity and restoration of disc height with resultant foraminal patency, provided relatively high clinical success and in situ fusion success in all cases even over multiple fusion levels, and can be an alternative among surgical treatments of this complex disease.