Update in surgical treatment of shoulder injuries

Increased life expectancy, combined with advancements in medicine, has given rise to an increased prevalence of shoulder injuries. Additionally, the recent social trend in Korea of participation of younger generations in sports activities has also contributed to this increased prevalence. Many healthcare institutions, however, are performing surgery for shoulder injuries without thorough consideration of the complete clinical picture. Only a few of these injuries require surgery, and most of them can be treated and improved with conservative management. The need for surgery should be decided in conjunction with the consideration of the patient's age, living environment and level of physical activity. Here, we give a brief introduction to indications and methods for surgical treatment of shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff injuries, calcifying tendinitis, shoulder instability, osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint, and adhesive capsulitis.

Update in surgical treatment of shoulder injuries

Increased life expectancy, combined with advancements in medicine, has given rise to an increased prevalence of shoulder injuries. Additionally, the recent social trend in Korea of participation of younger generations in sports activities has also contributed to this increased prevalence. Many healthcare institutions, however, are performing surgery for shoulder injuries without thorough consideration of the complete clinical picture. Only a few of these injuries require surgery, and most of them can be treated and improved with conservative management. The need for surgery should be decided in conjunction with the consideration of the patient's age, living environment and level of physical activity. Here, we give a brief introduction to indications and methods for surgical treatment of shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff injuries, calcifying tendinitis, shoulder instability, osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint, and adhesive capsulitis.

Patient Characteristics and Treatment of Hallux Polydactyly Associated with Varus Deformity / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To evaluate patient characteristics such as deformity type, associated disease, and family history, and results of treatment of pre-axial polydactyly with hallux varus deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective study of 5 patients who presented with preaxial polydactyly with hallux varus deformity, and were treated between 2003 and 2010 at the authors' hospital. Surgeries including extra digit excision, local flap, osteotomy, and interphalangeal joint fusion were performed taking into consideration the deformity types and patient's age. Family history, associated disease, and types of duplication were assessed, and the outcomes of surgery were evaluated with radiographs and appearances of foot. The mean follow-up period was 34 months. RESULTS: All 5 patients had one or more associated anomalies such as congenital anterolateral tibial bowing and polydactyly in three, translocation of chromosome 2 : 13 associated with cryptorchidism in one, pes planovalgus in one, residual poliomyelitis in one, syndactyly of the foot in two, and leg length discrepancy in one patient. There was no family history of hallux polydactyly in any of the cases. All five patients had duplication of the distal phalanx and one of them had a blocked proximal phalanx. The extra digit was completely removed and the varus deformity was corrected in all cases. CONCLUSION: There was a high incidence of associated diseases in patients with hallux polydactyly and varus deformity. Deformity correction could be obtained by surgeries chosen according to the individual deformity type and patient age.

Responsiveness of the Korean Version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (K-DASH) after Carpal Tunnel Release

BACKGROUND: The Korean version of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (K-DASH) was recently validated, but its responsiveness, which is the degree to which an instrument is sensitive to change, has not been thoroughly evaluated in a specific condition in Koreans. We evaluated the responsiveness of the K-DASH in a homogenous cohort of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and we compared it with that of the disease-specific Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (CTQ). METHODS: Fifty-six patients with CTS prospectively completed the K-DASH and CTQ before and 6 months after surgery. The responsiveness statistics were assessed for both the K-DASH and CTQ by using the standardized response mean (SRM) and the effect size (ES). Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between the K-DASH and CTQ. RESULTS: The SRM and ES of the K-DASH were all 0.8. The SRM of the symptom and function part of the CTQ was 1.5 and 1.1, and the ES was 1.5 and 1.1, respectively. The K-DASH had moderate correlations with the symptom and function parts of the CTQs, but the postoperative K-DASH had a weak correlation with the symptom part of the postoperative CTQ. CONCLUSIONS: The K-DASH was found to have a large degree of responsiveness (SRM, ES > or = 0.8) after carpal tunnel release in Korean patients with CTS, which is comparable to the other language versions of the DASH. Although it was less responsive than the CTQ, which is disease-specific, the region-specific K-DASH can be used as an effective outcome measurement tool for CTS, and especially for research that compares CTS with other upper limb conditions.

Congenital Differences of the Upper Extremity: Classification and Treatment Principles

For hand surgeons, the treatment of children with congenital differences of the upper extremity is challenging because of the diverse spectrum of conditions encountered, but the task is also rewarding because it provides surgeons with the opportunity to impact a child's growth and development. An ideal classification of congenital differences of the upper extremity would reflect the full spectrum of morphologic abnormalities and encompass etiology, a guide to treatment, and provide prognoses. In this report, I review current classification systems and discuss their contradictions and limitations. In addition, I present a modified classification system and provide treatment principles. As our understanding of the etiology of congenital differences of the upper extremity increases and as experience of treating difficult cases accumulates, even an ideal classification system and optimal treatment strategies will undoubtedly continue to evolve.

Comparison of Wrist Extension Stretching Exercise and a Wait-and-see Policy for Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the wrist stretching exercise on the results of treatment for lateral epicondylitis by comparing with wait-and-see policy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients who had lateral elbow pain associated with a lateral epicondyltitis were divided into wrist extension stretching exercise group (group 1) and wait-and-see policy group (group 2). Group 1 pateitns were educated to perform the wrist stretching exercise; maintenance of the position with the elbow extended, the forearm pronated, and the wrist flexed for more than 1 minute, more than 50 times per day. Group 2 patients were educated that they reduced the activities that provoked pain. The end point of follow-up was when symptoms were disappeared completely. RESULTS: Two hundred twenty seven patients were enrolled into this study. One hundred forty eight patients were allocated to group 1, 79 patients to group 2. The mean duration of follow-up of group 1 was 10.2 weeks and group 2 was 22.6 weeks. The median survival time from symptom onset to the time of resolution was 8.0 weeks in group 1, 16.0 weeks in group 2. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that wrist stretching exercise may be more effective than the wait-and-see policy in the patients with a lateral epicondylitis. The wrist stretching exercise can be recommended as the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.

Double Parallel Plates Fixation for Distal Humerus Fractures

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review the outcome of fixation of distal humerus fractures using recently-introduced double parallel plate system in sagittal plane. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2004 to June 2008, seventeen patients with distal humerus fractures underwent primary open reduction and internal fixation with double parallel plates. According to the AO classification, there were 2 A3, 2 C1, 7 C2, and 6 C3 type fractures. Outcome assessment was performed by using the Mayo Elbow Performance index (MEPI). RESULTS: At a mean follow up of 18 (range, 12 to 32) months, 4 patients were rated as excellent, 8 as good, and 5 as fair in terms of MEPI. The average arc of elbow flexion after primary operation was 116 (range, 90~140) degrees with a mean flexion contracture of 13 (range, 0 to 30) degrees. One patient required reoperation due to fixation failure and six patients underwent capsulolysis and three patients underwent ulnar nerve neurolysis. The time to begin elbow motion exercise had negative correlation with total elbow range of motion and multiple trauma patients had significantly lower MEPI functional score compared to those without combined injury. CONCLUSION: Double parallel plating allowed adequate fixation for distal humerus fractures regardless of patient age and fracture pattern. Partial ankylosis and unlar nerve compression symptoms were the main causes of reoperation.

Delayed Diagnosis of Muculocutaneous Nerve Injury Associated with a Humerus Shaft Fracture: A Case Report

Injury of the musculocutanous nerve can be associated with a proximal humeral fracture or shoulder dislocation, and injury of the brachial plexus. However, injury of this nerve associated with a humeral shaft fracture has rarely been reported. Diagnosis of the musculocutaneous nerve injury is difficult because its sensory loss is ill-defined, and examination of elbow flexion is difficult when it is associated with fractures. We report an unusual case of musculocutaneous nerve injury in a 27 years old woman who had multiple injuries including a humerus shaft fracture, an ipsilateral radius shaft fracture, and an associated radial nerve laceration. Diagnosis of the musculocutaneous nerve injury was delayed because combined fractures of the humerus and radius prevented proper examination of the elbow motion and nerve grafting of the radial nerve delayed early elbow motion exercise. Delayed exploration of the musculocutaneous nerve 6 months after trauma showed complete rupture of the nerve at its entry into the coracobrachialis muscle and the defect was successfully managed by sural nerve graft.

Palmar Fasciitis and Polyarthritis Syndrome Associated with Ovarian Carcinoma : A Case Report

Palmar fasciitis and polyarthritis syndrome (PFPAS) is an uncommon paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by rapidly progressive flexion contracture of both hands, inflammatory fasciitis, fibrosis and generalized inflammatory arthritis. We report a case of PFPAS associated with ovarian carcinoma, which was initially misdiagnosed as seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. A correct diagnosis was made after the patient underwent surgery for a pelvic tumor, which was incidentally found on a CT scan that she had taken after sustaining a traffic accident. PFPAS is one of differential diagnoses for progressive flexion contracture of both hands presenting to hand surgeons, and a careful oncologic examination should be considered in a female patient with unexplained hand pain, digital contracture and generalized arthritis

Staged Reconstruction of the Mangled Hand with the Combined Use of Pedicled Groin Flap and Free Wrap Around Flap

PURPOSE: Despite the free tissue transfer using microsurgical technique being the current trend of soft tissue reconstruction of the hand, the pedicled groin flap has the advantage to provide coverage for the mangled hand without necessitating the use of a damaged arterial system and also providing the benefit of saving the arterial system for later free tissue transfer. This report presents the author's experience using pedicled groin flap in four cases of mangled hands with massive bone and soft tissue defects requiring later thumb reconstruction with the free wrap around flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The patients' age ranged from 30 to 51 years; three patients were male and one was female. The causes of mangled hand included two machinery crush injuries, one laboratory explosion and one motor vehicle accident. While evaluating the post-operative results, factors like flap survival, complications, stability in opposition, pinch power and 2 point discrimination were taken into account. RESULTS: All massive soft tissue defects of the hands were completely covered with pedicled groin flap successfully. The reconstructed thumb using free wrap around flap did not have any limitation in opposition. There was no occurrence of post-operative infection and all the flaps survived completely. The average pinch power was 70% of the contralateral intact thumb and average 2 point discrimination was 10 mm. CONCLUSION: The pedicled groin flap for the reconstruction of the massive soft tissue defects of the hand with subsequent reconstruction of the thumb with a wrap around flap is a very useful procedure. The combined use of pedicled groin flap and wrap around flap allows adequate coverage of sizable soft tissue defects and functional thumb opposition in cases of reconstruction of the mangled hands.

Early Results of Hemicondylar Hamate Replacement Arthroplasty in Proximal Interphalangeal Fracture-Dislocation Injury

PURPOSE: We assessed early clinical and radiological results of hemicondylar hamate replacement arthroplasty in fracture-dislocation injury of the proximal interphalangeal joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2007 to February 2008, four patients who had suffered from comminuted unstable fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint were treated by hemicondylar hamate replacement arthroplasty. All patients were male, and average age at operation was 21.5(range, 14~27) years. All cases showed subluxation of the proximal interphalangeal joint, and mean articular surface involvement was 50.8(range, 42.1~62.5)%. We clinically measured ROM, grip strength, pain of donor & recipient site, and radiologically assessed whether or not union, malalignment, or step-off occurred. RESULTS: Average follow-up period was 9.5(range, 6~14) months. Mean flexion contracture was 12.5 (range, 10~15)degrees in affected side and 0degrees in unaffected side. Mean further flexion was 92.5 (range, 85~100)degrees in affected side and 95.0 (range, 90~100)degrees in unaffected side. Mean VAS pain scores was 1.75 (range, 1~3) in recipient site and 1.25 (range, 0~2) in donor site. Mean grip strength was 11 (range, 8~15) lb in affected side and 14 (range, 10~17) lb in unaffected side. Union without malalignment was achieved in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Early results of hemicondylar hamate replacement arthroplasty in the treatment of fracture-dislocation of the proximal interphalangeal joint showed satisfactory functional and radiological outcome.

Lateral Calcaneal Artery Adipofascial Flap for Reconstruction of the Posterior Heel of the Foot

BACKGROUND: Soft tissue defects of the posterior heel of the foot present difficult reconstructive problems. This paper reports the authors' early experience of five patients treated with a lateral calcaneal artery adipofascial flap. METHODS: Between 2003 and 2007, five patients (3 males and 2 females) with soft-tissue defects over the posterior heel underwent a reconstruction using a lateral calcaneal artery adipofascial flap and a full-thickness skin graft. The flap sizes ranged from 3.5 x 2.5 cm to 5.5 x 4.0 cm. RESULTS: All five flaps survived completely with no subsequent breakdown of the grafted skin, even after regularly wearing normal shoes. The adipofascial flap donor sites were closed primarily in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral calcaneal artery adipofascial flaps should be included in the surgical armamentarium to cover difficult wounds of the posterior heel of the foot. These flaps do not require the sacrifice of a major artery to the leg or foot, they are relatively thin with minimal morbidity at the donor site, and leave a simple linear scar over the lateral aspect of the foot.

Contribution of the Proximal Nerve Stump in End-to-side Nerve Repair: In a Rat Model

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the proximal nerve stump, in end-to-side nerve repair, to functional recovery, by modifying the classic end-to-side neurorrhaphy and suturing the proximal nerve stump to a donor nerve in a rat model of a severed median nerve. METHODS: Three experimental groups were studied: a modified end-to-side neurorrhaphy with suturing of the proximal nerve stump (double end-to-side neurorrhaphy, Group I), a classic end-to-side neurorrhaphy (Group II) and a control group without neurorrhaphy (Group III). Twenty weeks after surgery, grasping testing, muscle contractility testing, and histological studies were performed. RESULTS: The grasping strength, muscle contraction force and nerve fiber count were significantly higher in group I than in group II, and there was no evidence of nerve recovery in group III. CONCLUSIONS: The contribution from the proximal nerve stump in double end-to-side nerve repair might improve axonal sprouting from the donor nerve and help achieve a better functional recovery in an end-to-side coaptation model.

Distal Chevron Osteotomy for Moderate to Severe Hallux Valgus Deformity in Patients Aged 50 or Older / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical and radiological results of distal chevron osteotomy in patients aged 50 and older with moderate-to-severe hallux valgus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed the medical records and radiographs of 19 patients (26 feet). Average age at time of surgery was 58 years and the mean follow-up period was 3 years and 1 month. For radiological evaluation, we analyzed changes in hallux valgus angles and 1st-2nd intermetatarsal angles after index operations. Clinical results were assessed with respect to pain, activities of daily living, and shoe-wear. RESULTS: Hallux valgus angles and 1st-2nd intermetatarsal angles improved, but considerable correction loss occurred with time. This correction loss was found to be significantly correlated with preoperative subluxation of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint and the 1st-2nd intermetatarsal angle. Clinically, remarkable improvements were achieved in terms of pain and level of activity, but most patients (except 4) still wore comfortable shoes rather than hard shoes at latest follow-ups. CONCLUSION: Distal chevron osteotomy is beneficial for patients aged 50 and older with moderate-to- severe hallux valgus deformity, but correction loss may occur in patients with marked subluxation of the 1st metatarsophalangeal joint or a severe 1st-2nd intermetatarsal angle.

Phocomelia: The Clinical Manifestation, Classification and Surgical Treatment of Korean Patients with Phocomelia / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Phocomelia is an extremely rare congenital anomaly of the upper extremity. There have been no clinical reports about phocomlia in Korea except for five birth reports. We present here the clinical features, classifications and surgical treatments of our phocomelia cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1993 to August 2007, seven patients were diagnosed as having phocomelia in 9 upper extremities at our clinic. Surgical treatments were performed for five patients on their hand anomalies. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and radiographs of our cases, and we tried to classify them by the previously suggested systems. We evaluated the functional improvement and measured the VAS scale for parental satisfaction with the operative outcomes. RESULTS: We could not find any problems during the fetal periods or any hereditary features. The bilaterally-affected patients also had deformities of the lower extremity, while the unilaterally-affected patients did not. We couldn't classify our cases according to the Frantz and O'Rahilly system. We found that the classifications suggested by Tytherleigh-Strong and Hooper (2003) and Goldfarb et al. (2005) could be promising alternatives for classification. One upper extremity was classified as type A, one as type B, and 7 as type C by Tytherleigh-Strong and Hooper's system. Using the Goldfarb's system, two upper extremities were classified as proximal radial longitudinal dysplasia, and seven were classified as proximal ulnar longitudinal dysplasia. Three patients who underwent pollicization showed opposition and tip pinch. Two patients who underwent syndactyly division could do lateral pinch. The VAS scale for parental satisfaction with the functional improvement averaged 8.2 postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The bilateral cases had different clinical features from unilateral ones. Phocomelia could not simply be classified by the Frantz and O'Rahilly system, and it may not be a true transverse intercalary deficiency. We could gain functional improvement after operations on the hand anomalies.

A Comparative Study on the Treatment of Scaphoid Nonunion with Matti-Russe Technique and Fisk-Fernandez Technique / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Established scaphoid nonunion may lead to carpal instability and osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical and radiological results of the osteosynthesis between Matti-Russe group and Fisk-Fernandez group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our retrospective study included 21 nonunion cases in 20 patients treated by Matti-Russe or Fisk-Fernandez technique from September 2001 to August 2006. The mean duration of follow up was 31 months. Based on the questionnaire which included clinical information and the radiologic evaluation, we compared the objective and subjective results between two surgical groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between two groups in respect of the postoperative satisfaction and the pain. Both the range of motion and the grip power decreased compared to that of the unaffected side, but there were no significant differences between two groups. Also, there were no significant differences in the union rate and the rate of successful correction of DISI deformity. In all cases in which DISI deformity was detected preoperatively, the deformity was corrected postoperatively. There were 7 cases of osteoarthritis, but among them only one case appeared newly after the surgery. CONCLUSION: There were no significant differences between two surgical groups in clinical and radiological results. Both techniques were effective in achieving bony union and functional recovery.

Neuropathic Arthropathy of the Elbow / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Neuropathic arthropathy of the elbow is extremely rare and is characterized by painless destruction of the joint due to diminished proprioception. We report five cases of neuropathic arthropathy of the elbow with review of pertinent literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed records of five patients who were diagnosed with neuropathic arthropathy of the elbow. There were three men and two women with a mean age of 38.6 years (range, thirteen to fifty years). The conditions associated with the arthropathy were three cases of syringomyelia, one tabes dorsalis, and one neurofibromatosis. One patient was conservatively treated and was followed periodically and others underwent operative procedures. The mean duration of follow-up was 8.5 years (range, one to nineteen years). Changes of symptoms, range of motion (ROM), and functional satisfaction were assessed. RESULTS: The conservatively treated patient maintained the function of the elbow. In the surgically treated group, one case of ulnar nerve decompression and one case of osteosynthesis of the fractured olecranon showed improvement of symptoms, ROM, and function. But two patients who underwent reconstructive procedures had decreased ROM after complication of deep infection. Concluson: Neuropathic arthropathy of the elbow causes few functional problems despite of the radiologic destruction and instability of the elbow. Therefore symptomatic management is considered more preferable than surgical correction of destruction or instability of the elbow.

Prophylactic Radiotherapy to Prevent the Recurrence of Heterotopic Ossification after Surgical Intervention of the Elbow / 대한방사선종양학회지

PURPOSE: Heterotopic ossification is a well-known postoperative and post-traumatic complication of the elbow. We reviewed the treatment outcome for the use of low-dose radiation after surgical intervention of the elbow to prevent recurrence of heterotopic ossification (HO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five patients with HO underwent surgical intervention and postoperative radiotherapy of the elbow. The median age of the patients was 29 years (16~75 years), and 27 of the patients were men and 18 were women. The occurrence of HO was mainly due to surgery after fracture (24/45) and traumatic injury (21/45). Limitation of the range of motion (ROM) was the most common symptom of the patients. Thirty-four patients received postoperative radiotherapy with a dose of 8 Gy in 2 fractions; 5 patients received a dose of 10 Gy in 5 fractions and 6 patients received a dose of 7 Gy in 1 fraction. Postoperative radiotherapy was given on the first two postoperative days for most of the patients. Sixteen patients were not given anti-inflammatory medication and 29 patients were given NSAIDs for 1~8 months. RESULTS: After a median follow-up period of 18 months (range 6~72 months), 41 patients showed clinical improvement and two patients did not show improvement. Assessment of the ROM showed a mean improvement from 0~135degrees to 60~145degrees (p=0.028), and assessment of the functional outcome according to MEPI was from (15~95) to (80~100) (p<0.0001). Two of the 34 patients that were followed-up with radiography had mild radiological recurrence of heterotopic ossification. No complications were observed after the radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that low-dose radiation administered after surgical intervention is safe and effective to prevent the recurrence of HO in the elbow.

Subcutaneous Fascial Pedicled Lateral Supramalleolar Flap

Soft-tissue reconstruction of the foot and ankle has long been a challenge for reconstructive surgeons. Limitations in the available local tissue and donor-site morbidity restrict the options. In an effort to solve these difficult problems, the authors have begun to use a subcutaneous fascial pedicled lateral supramalleolar flap. This report presents the authors' experience with five patients treated with this flap. The patients' ages ranged from 26 to 72 years; four of the patients were male and one was female. The cause of the soft-tissue defects involved acute trauma and malignant melanom. All flaps survived and provided satisfactory coverage of the defect. Compared with the classic lateral supramalleolar flap, when the perforating branch is interrupted in its course, it is possible to elevate this subcutaneous fascial pedicled flap. The distally based flap with a compound pedicle which is continuous with a vascular axis and a band of subcutaneous fascial pedicle has long pedicle. This procedure is valuable for remote defect of the foot. It is believed that this flap is versatile and effective and is a good addition to the available techniques used by reconstructive surgeons for coverage of the foot and ankle.

Surgical Treatment of Congenital Brachymetatarsia According to the Number of Affected Rays / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: To present our treatment protocol and surgical outcome for patients with congenital brachymetatarsia in which treatment was decided according to the number of affected rays. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine metatarsals in 44 patients with single or multiple congenital brachymetatarsia were included in the study. When a single ray was affected in a foot, we performed a one-stage lengthening using an intercalary autogenous iliac bone graft. We overcame excessively short rays by the double level lengthening at the metatarsal and proximal phalanx as one stage. When multiple rays were affected in one foot, we performed a one-stage combined shortening and lengthening procedure without an iliac bone graft. RESULTS: All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic and functional results. The average length gain by one-stage lengthening in 56 metatarsals of 38 patients was 14 (6-21) mm. Six patients with a combined shortening and lengthening procedure regained a nearly normal parabola of the involved foot. Neurovascular complication was not identified. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory results were achieved for the treatment of patients with congenital brachymetatarsia, by individualizing the surgical options according to the number of affected rays and general foot appearance.