Arthroscopic electrothermal collagen shrinkage for partial scapholunate ligament tears, isolated or with associated triangular fibrocartilage complex injuries: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: To present the outcomes of arthroscopic electrothermal shrinkage for partial scapholunate (SL) ligament tears, isolated or with associated triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries. METHODS: A prospective study of 20 patients with symptomatic instability of SL ligament (14 of them also with TFCC wrist injuries) treated with arthroscopic electrothermal shrinkage was conducted using a monopolar radiofrequency probe. No patient showed radiologic signs of static dissociation (mean SL interval 2.2 ± 0.6 mm; mean SL angle 41.4° ± 6.7°) before surgery. All patients underwent follow-up at our clinic regularly for an average of 50.6 months (range 29-80 months). RESULTS: The modified Mayo wrist score improved from a mean of 59 ± 17.1 points preoperatively to 88.3 ± 16.2 points at the final follow-up. At the final clinical examination, a painful Watson scaphoid shift test was found in 3 patients (15%). The mean flexion-extension arc was unchanged (132° ± 19°), and mean grip strength improved 12 kg. No patient showed radiologic signs of arthritis or instability after surgery (mean SL interval 1.9 ± 0.7 mm; mean SL angle 42.7° ± 7.3°). Of the 14 patients with combined TFCC injuries, 3 patients continued complaining of ulnar-sided point tenderness. At the end of the follow-up, 80% of the subjects were satisfied or very satisfied. CONCLUSIONS: SL ligament and TFCC electrothermal shrinkage effectively provided pain relief and grip strength increase for most of the patients treated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Percutaneous forefoot surgery for treatment of hallux valgus deformity: an intermediate prospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to illustrate the results of percutaneous forefoot surgery (PFS) for correction of hallux valgus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study of 108 patients, with hallux valgus deformity, who underwent PFS was conducted. The minimum clinical and radiological follow-up was two years (mean 57.3 months, range 22-112). RESULTS: Preoperative mean visual analog scale was 6.3 ± 1.5 points, and AOFAS scores were 50.6 ± 11 points. At the last follow-up, both scores improved to 1.9 ± 2.4 points and 85.9 ± 1.83 points, respectively. Mean hallux valgus angle changed from 34.3° ± 9.3° preoperatively to 22.5° ± 11.1° at follow-up. At follow-up, 76.5% of the subjects were satisfied or very satisfied. Recurrence of medial 1st MT head pain happened in 22 cases (16.7%). CONCLUSIONS: PFS, in our study, does not improve the radiological and patient satisfaction rate results compared with conventional procedures. The main advantage is a low postoperative pain level, but with an insufficient HVA correction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II, prospective study.

Orthogeriatric activity in a general hospital of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. / Actividad ortogeriátrica en un hospital general de Castilla-La Mancha.

AIM: To describe the orthogeriatric activity in the elderly with hip fractures in the Hospital Mancha Centro, based on the recommendations of the main guidelines. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Observational prospective study, comprising all patients over 65 years of age admitted to the Traumatology Unit with a hip fracture between April 2015 and December 2015. Patients were admitted under the care of the Traumatology Unit with cross-consultation carried out with the Geriatrics Department, which then carried out a pre-operative geriatric assessment and the post-operative follow-ups. RESULTS: The mean pre-surgery waiting time was 48h and the overall time in hospital was 10.3±8.2 days. Patients who suffered from delirium (42.1%) did not improve as well, and were referred to nursing homes. Blood transfusions were received by 54.7% of the patients, despite 53.5% of them having received intravenous and/or oral iron after the surgery. Treatment with calcium and vitamin D was prescribed in 79% of the patients on discharge. The Rehabilitation Unit assessed 36% of the patients, with 4.8% fully, and 16.7% partially recovering their prior functional status. Upon discharge, 55% of the patients returned to their homes, and 22% were referred to short-term assisted living facilities. DISCUSSION: This article describes how the main clinical problems are handled in the elderly with hip fractures in our hospital, based on recommendations of the main guidelines and publications. CONCLUSIONS: Our hospital follows the recommended guidelines. Aspects for improvement include the management of anaemia during admission and rehabilitation.