Pre- and post-surgical evaluation of the impact on Hansen disease sequealae patients' quality of life submitted to orthopedic surgery for closure of chronic plantar ulcers.

INTRODUCTION: Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that still persists as a public health problem in Brazil. Plantar ulcers are serious complications due to leprosy neuropathy and intensify the isolation and stigma of these individuals. The difficulty in closing these lesions associated with the fetid odor negatively impact the quality of life of people with these lesions. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical, socioeconomic conditions, degree of satisfaction and quality of life (QoL) of patients after healing of chronic ulcers on feet submitted to orthopedic surgery. METHODOLOGY: This is a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and observational study carried out with 92 people after surgical treatment of chronic leprosy plantar ulcers. These patients were submitted to a semi-structured questionnaire raising questions of an epidemiological, socioeconomic and perception of quality-of-life order, comparing before and after the surgical procedure. RESULTS: Decrease in indicators - alcohol consumption, tobacco consumption, average monthly cost of analgesic medications, fetid wound odor, foot pain and number of dressings performed weekly; Recurrence of lesions in 55.4 % of cases, related to irregular use or lack of shoes and insoles; Improvement in self-perception of Quality of Life (QoL) in 89.1 % of patients after surgery. CONCLUSION: Orthopedic surgical treatment with resection of plantar bony prominences and skin grafting is an effective therapeutic method for closing chronic plantar ulcers in leprosy, resulting in a decrease in the financial costs employed and in an important improvement in the Quality-of-Life parameters of the individuals undergoing to this procedure. The availability and regular use of shoes and insoles is crucial to prevent recurrence of these injuries.

Epidemiological clinical profile and closure of chronic plantar ulcers in patients with leprosy sequelae undergoing orthopedic surgery in a municipality in western Amazon.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic plantar ulcers in leprosy are lesions resulting from motor and sensory alterations caused by Mycobacterium leprae. They are lesions refractory to conventional dressings and present high recurrence rates. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the epidemiological clinical profile of patients with chronic plantar ulcers associated with bony prominences in the lesion bed and to evaluate the efficacy of orthopedic surgical treatment of these lesions. METHODS: This is a descriptive and analytical retrospective study with the evaluation of medical records of patients undergoing surgical treatment of chronic plantar ulcers from 2008 to 2018. The surgical technique applied consisted of corrective resection of bone prominences and the primary closure of the lesion with bipediculated local flap. RESULTS: 234 patients were submitted to surgery, 55.1% male with an average age of 69.5 years old. Of these, 82.9% were illiterate; and 88.5% with open lesions over 10 years. After surgical treatment, total wound healing occurred in an average time of 12 weeks. The variables that contributed to shorter healing time were: Patients' lower age group; regular use of orthopedic shoes and insoles and dressings performed by nurse aides in health units before surgery. Obesity was the factor that correlated with the delay of healing time. CONCLUSION: A higher incidence was observed in males and male and female illiterate patients. The regular use of shoes and insoles and dressings performed by nurse aides in health units contributed to shorter postoperative healing time. Orthopedic surgical treatment with corrective resection of bony prominences proved to be an efficient therapeutic method for the closure of chronic plantar ulcers. It is a reproducible method, justifying the importance of the orthopedic surgeon in the context of the multidisciplinary team to cope with these complex lesions.

Treatment of a high-energy transsyndesmotic ankle fracture: A case report of "logsplitter injury".

INTRODUCTION: The "logsplitter injury" is a special type of ankle fractures that results from high energy violence with combined rotational forces and axial loads. So far, the diagnose and treatment of "logsplitter injury" remain largely unsettled and related literature is rare. PATIENT CONCERNS: An 18-year-old male fell from a fence and got his left ankle injured with severe malformation and swollen condition. No open wound was observed. DIAGNOSIS: Logsplitter injury, ankle fracture (AO/OTA classification 44C1.1, Lauge-Hansen classification: pronation-external rotation). INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: The patient was initially treated by internal fixation of fibular, repair of deltoid ligaments, and 1 syndesmotic screw fixation. When the X-ray applied after surgery, another 2 syndesmotic screws were performed to enhance stability. The syndesmotic screws were removed at 12-week and 16-week respectively. The patient was allowed for full weight-bearing immediately. However, the syndesmotic space was slightly increased compared to the contralateral side in CT views at 1-year follow-up, the function outcome was satisfied. CONCLUSION: The logsplitter injury is a high-energy ankle fracture that requires both axial and rotational load. It is categorized as 44B or 44C by the AO/OTA classification. In the classification scheme of Lauge-Hansen, our case is in line with the pronation-external rotation classification. Anatomic reduction and fixation of ankle syndesmotic injuries are required to restore the biomechanics of the ankle joint so that long-term complications can be prevented. How to fixation the syndesmosis, whether to reconstruct the deltoid ligament remains in debate in the treatment of logsplitter injury, whether and when to remove the syndesmotic screws were still debated. Correct surgical intervention is successful in the treatment of "logsplitter injury", however, the optimal fixation of syndesmosis and repair of deltoid ligaments need further investigate.

Fracturas segmentarias de tibia / Segmental tibial fractures

Fundamento: las fracturas segmentarias de la diáfisis tibial (FSDT) son afecciones causadas por trauma de alta energía y están por lo general, asociadas a otras lesiones de partes blandas y óseas, que empeoran su pronóstico y hacen más difícil el tratamiento.Objetivo: profundizar en los elementos esenciales y características de pacientes que sufren de fracturas segmentarias de la diáfisis tibial.Métodos: se realizó una revisión bibliográfica de un total de 400 artículos publicados en Pubmed, Hinari y Medline, mediante el localizador de información Endnote, de ellos se utilizaron 51 citas seleccionadas para realizar la revisión, 47 de ellas de los últimos cinco años, además se incluyeron cuatro libros.Desarrollo: se describen los mecanismos de producción más frecuentes, así como las principales diferencias entre las fracturas segmentarias y no segmentarias. En relación a la clasificación, se describió la propuesta por el grupo de Asociación para la Osteosíntesis (AO) en especial la del tipo C y la aplicación de la clasificación de Winquist R y Hansen S. Se hace referencia a los traumas asociados y las complicaciones reportadas en la literatura. Los tipos de tratamientos son por lo general quirúrgicos y pueden ser mediante enclavijado intramedular, uso de fijadores externos y placas subcutáneas. Conclusiones: las fracturas segmentarias de la diáfisis tibial son lesiones graves, que necesitan de acciones inmediatas, para prevenir o aminorar las complicaciones inmediatas y tardías características de esta lesión(AU)

Background: segmental tibial shaft fractures are affections caused by high energy traumatisms and are generally associated to other lesions of soft and osseous parts that make worse the prognosis and more difficult the treatment.Objective: to deepen in the essential elements and characteristics of patients who suffer from segmental tibial shaft fractures.Methods: a bibliographic review of 400 articles published in Pubmed, Hinari and Medline was made by means of the reference management software Endnote. Fifty-one references were selected for making the review, 47 of them were from the last five years and four books were included.Development: the most frequent mechanisms of production are described, as well as the main differences between segmental and non-segmental fractures. Regarding the classification, the proposal described by the Osteosynthesis Association, especially type C was described, as well as the application of the classification by Winquist R and Hansen S. The traumas associated and the complications reported in the literature are mentioned. The types of treatment are generally surgical and can be conducted by means of intramedullar nailing, external fixators and subcutaneous plates.Conclusions: segmental tibial shaft fractures are serious lesions that need to be treated immediately to prevent or reduce the instant complications and the belated characteristics of this lesion(AU)

[Effectiveness of open reduction and internal fixation for Bosworth fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the operative methods and effectiveness of open reduction and internal fixation for Bosworth fracture. METHODS: Between January 2005 and January 2012, 6 patients with Bosworth fractures caused by sprain were treated. There were 4 males and 2 females with an average age of 45.8 years (range, 24-73 years). The time from injury to operation was 1-5 days (mean, 1.8 days). They were all closed fractures. According to Lauge-Hansen classification, 6 cases were classified as supination-external rotation type. The surgical treatments included open reduction and internal fixation by plate and screws. RESULTS: Infection occurred in 1 case and was cured after dressing changing; primary healing of incision was obtained in the other 5 cases. Six patients were followed up 15 months on average (range, 12-24 months). The X-ray films showed fracture healing in all cases, with an average healing time of 9.5 weeks (range, 8-13 weeks). No loosening or breaking of internal fixator was observed during follow-up. The average full load-walking time was 12 weeks (range, 10-17 weeks). According to the ankle and hindfoot scale of American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), the average score was 89.5 (range, 81-94). CONCLUSION: For Bosworth fractures, good results can be achieved by early diagnosis, open reduction and internal fixation.

A radiographic classification of massive rotator cuff tear arthritis.

BACKGROUND: In 1990, Hamada et al. radiographically classified massive rotator cuff tears into five grades. Walch et al. subsequently subdivided Grade 4 to reflect the presence/absence of subacromial arthritis and emphasize glenohumeral arthritis as a characteristic of Grade 4. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore determined (1) whether patient characteristics and MRI findings differed between the grades at initial examination and final followup; (2) which factors affected progression to a higher grade; (3) whether the retear rate of repaired tendons differed among the grades; and (4) whether the radiographic grades at final followup differed from those at initial examination among patients treated operatively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 75 patients with massive rotator cuff tears. Thirty-four patients were treated nonoperatively and 41 operatively. RESULTS: Patients with Grade 3, 4, or 5 tears had a higher incidence of fatty muscle degeneration of the subscapularis muscle than patients with Grade 1 or 2 tears. In 26 patients with Grade 1 or 2 tears at initial examination, duration of followup was longer in patients who remained at Grade 1 or 2 than in those who progressed to Grade 3, 4, or 5 at final followup. The retear rate of repaired supraspinatus tendon was more frequent in Grade 2 than Grade 1 tears. In operated cases, radiographic grades at final followup did not develop to Grades 3 to 5. CONCLUSIONS: We believe cuff repair should be performed before acromiohumeral interval narrowing. Our observations are consistent with the temporal concepts of massive cuff tear pathomechanics proposed by Burkhart and Hansen et al. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Minimally invasive video-assisted cervical ventral slot in dogs. A cadaveric study and report of 10 clinical cases.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility of a minimally invasive video-assisted (MIVA) cervical ventral slot (VS) in dogs without the use of fluoroscopy, and to report our initial clinical experiences in dogs. METHODS: Two surgical approaches to an intervertebral disk space (IVDS) were performed in eight intact canine cadavers to determine the feasibility of MIVA-VS using the Destandau Endospine™ Devicea (DED) without fluoroscopic guidance. In a subsequent clinical study, 10 client-owned dogs admitted for a Hansen type 1 disk extrusion underwent a MIVA-VS. Recorded data in both studies included: incision lengths, correct targeting of the IVDS, technical problems encountered during the procedure, and potential damage to major anatomical structures. In the 10 clinical cases, duration of the procedure and clinical outcome at five and 12 days, and after a minimum of three months were also recorded. RESULTS: Correct exposure of the targeted IVDS was achieved in all cases. There was no major iatrogenic damage. Mean skin incision length was 39 mm and mean surgery time was 52 minutes. The technique provided increased illumination and magnification of the surgical field. Recovery was uneventful in all cases. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The present study provided evidence that MIVA-VS using the DED was feasible and a relatively fast and safe procedure for the treatment of cervical disk herniation. Advantages of the technique seemed to include shorter incisions, less dissection and improved visibility.

Charcot joint-like changes following ankle fracture in a patient with no underlying disease: report of a rare case.

Charcot joint is a disease that often occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus, tabes dorsalis, syringomyelia, chronic alcoholism, leprosy, trauma, or infection after fractures and dislocations. The treatment for Charcot joint has various complications, such as skin lesions, infections, and delayed union. We present our experience with a male patient who developed Charcot joint-like changes without diabetes mellitus or any other disease after an ankle fracture due to minor trauma.

Median nerve palsy following claw finger correction in leprosy: effect of M. leprae or a consequence of surgery.

Median nerve palsy, though not a frequent occurrence after claw finger correction, does exist as a post-operative complication after claw finger correction. A retrospective study was carried out to examine the occurrence of post-operative median palsy, in cases of isolated ulnar palsy, where the transferred motor tendon was routed through the carpal tunnel. We noted that six patients developed median nerve palsy following claw finger correction. Median palsy developed at different times after surgery--the "early onset" type developing within three weeks post-operatively, "reactional" type developed when patient was undergoing physiotherapy exercises and learning to use the transfer and "delayed insidious" type presenting six months or more after operation. We could not succeed to get the true prevalence of such occurrences because all the operated hands could not be re-examined.

Charcot joint-like changes following ankle fracture in a patient with no underlyng disease: report of a rare case

Charcot joint is a disease that often occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus, tabes dorsalis, syringomyelia, chronic alcoholism, leprosy, trauma, or infection after fractures and dislocations. The treatment for Charcot joint has various complications, such as skin lesions, infections, and delayed union. We present our experience with a male patient who developed Charcot joint-like changes without diabetes mellitus or any other disease after an ankle fracture due to minor trauma.