Results of primary radial corrective osteotomy in Madelung's deformity.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was the evaluation of surgical outcomes in a series of wrists with Madelung's deformity treated with radial corrective osteotomy. We hypothesize that this surgical technique is a suitable and safe way of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with Madelung's deformity treated with radial corrective osteotomy between January 2001 and June 2017 at a single large department of hand surgery in Germany was performed. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were invited for follow-up and outcome variables including pain, range of motion, patient-rated outcome measures, and radiographic measurements were obtained for comparison with preoperative data collected from the patients' medical records. RESULTS: 14 wrists were included. The average age at the time of surgery was 21.9 years, and the average follow-up was 7.2 years. The average visual analog pain scale at rest decreased from preoperative 2.6 points to postoperative 0.7 points. Under strain, the average VAS declined from 7.4 to 4.9 points. The mean DASH Score decreased from 42.9 before surgery to 22.0 points after surgery. Range of motion improved slightly in five out of six directions of motion, with the greatest increase seen in average supination from preoperative 68.5° to postoperative 82.0°. Averages of all five measured McCarroll's parameters and ulnar variance decreased, as expected from corrective surgery. Four wrists (26.8%) needed subsequent procedures. CONCLUSION: Radial corrective osteotomy was a suitable treatment of Madelung's deformity in our collective, although surgical outcomes are not yet fully satisfying.

Dynamic palmar dislocation of the ulnar head at the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) after radius shaft malunion.

INTRODUCTION: Palmar instability of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) is a rare condition, which is, in contrast to the dorsal dislocation, scarcely represented in the literature. This palmar instability can result from a dorsally angulated malunion of the radial shaft after forearm fracture in childhood. Treating such a condition is controversial in the literature and was described in small case series. This study represents the largest case series in the literature that dealt with this condition, alongside a review of the key papers in the English literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective case series. Ten patients were operated between 2007 and 2014. Six patients could be followed up clinically and radiologically after radius corrective osteotomy at the site of malunion with a mean time of 5.6 years. Patient history revealed a conservatively treated forearm fracture in childhood, a symptom-free period of several years [mean of 21.5 (min-max: 9.4-26.5) years] and a minor trauma as a trigger for clinical symptoms. All patients had clinically a DRUJ instability with palmar luxation of the ulnar head at supination. A diagnostic key feature is a radiograph of the whole forearm, revealing malunion of the radius at shaft level. Retrospective patient history, diagnostic imaging, operative technique and clinical results (DASH, modified Mayo Wrist Score, pain, grip strength, range of motion) were analyzed. RESULTS: Four patients were lost to follow-up. In all patients, a radius corrective osteotomy could stabilize the DRUJ. In one patient, the osteosynthesis was revised due to metal failure after one month. In all the six patients, bony union of the osteotomy was achieved. In another patient, an additional ulnar shortening osteotomy was done one year later due to a positive ulnar variance. Postoperative range of motion of the wrist had an average of 136° in extension/flexion and 149° in pronation/supination, and grip strength was 89% of the opposite side. With an average of 12.5 points at the DASH score and 82 at the modified Mayo Wrist Score, patients rated their hand function as good. CONCLUSIONS: In this patient cohort, a simple corrective osteotomy of the radial shaft at the malunion site was adequate to treat the dynamic palmar instability of DRUG. A soft tissue procedure was not required. Forearm radiographs are the mainstay of diagnostic tools.

Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome: Long-Term Results After Vascular Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Hypothenar hammer syndrome is a rare vascular lesion of the distal ulnar artery in Guyon tunnel caused by acute or repetitive blunt trauma to the hypothenar eminence. Described treatment options vary greatly, from nonoperative management treatments to surgical interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of patients after surgical reconstruction of the ulnar artery. METHODS: In this retrospective study, the results of 12 patients treated for hypothenar hammer syndrome were evaluated. Preoperative and postoperative examinations of the hand were recorded. Function impairment was assessed with the "Disabilites of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand" questionnaire. Comparisons were also made based on ulnar artery patency versus occlusion. All patients were evaluated for ulnar artery patency as determined by Allen's test and magnetic resonance angiography. RESULTS: All patients were men with an average age of 42.8 years. In 3 patients, a direct end-to-end anastomosis of the ulnar artery was performed, and 9 patients received a reconstruction with a reverse interpositional vein graft. Nine vascular reconstructions remained patent after a mean follow-up period of 56.9 months. These patients had a complete or at least partial relief of their pain, dysesthesia, and cold intolerance compared with preoperatively. Patients with reoccluded ulnar arteries were statistically significant younger (P = 0.036) than patients with patent ulnar artery. They also had a higher pain level (P = 0.009) and a longer follow-up period (P = 0.036) than those with patent reconstruction. There was a trend for higher functional impairment in patients with reoccluded ulnar artery (P = 0.100). Smoking habits showed no influence on ulnar artery patency. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with symptomatic hypothenar hammer syndrome and failed nonoperative treatment, surgical intervention is a good option. After more than 4.5 years after surgery 9 of 12 vascular reconstructions remained patent (75% patency rate), ensuring an immediate and long-term improvement of symptoms.

Ulnar head replacement.

Recent years have seen an increasing awareness of the anatomical and biomechanical significance of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). With this has come a more critical approach to surgical management of DRUJ disorders and a realization that all forms of "excision arthroplasty" can only restore forearm rotation at the expense of forearm stability. This, in turn, has led to renewed interest in prosthetic replacement of the ulnar head, a procedure that had previously fallen into disrepute because of material failures with early implants, in particular, the Swanson silicone ulnar head replacement. In response to these early failures, a new prosthesis was developed in the early 1990s, using materials designed to withstand the loads across the DRUJ associated with normal functional use of the upper limb. Released onto the market in 1995 (Herbert ulnar head prosthesis), clinical experience during the last 10 years has shown that this prosthesis is able to restore forearm function after ulnar head excision and that the materials (ceramic head and noncemented titanium stem), even with normal use of the limb, are showing no signs of failure in the medium to long term. As experience with the use of an ulnar head prosthesis grows, so does its acceptance as a viable and attractive alternative to more traditional operations, such as the Darrach and Sauve-Kapandji procedures. This article discusses the current indications and contraindications for ulnar head replacement and details the surgical procedure, rehabilitation, and likely outcomes.

The dorsal approach to the distal radioulnar joint.

A number of different disorders or injuries require surgical intervention at the distal radioulnar joint. Depending on the underlying condition, the distal radioulnar joint is traditionally exposed via a dorsal or, less commonly, a palmar approach. Occasionally, as in the case of fractures of the distal ulna or ulnar styloid process, a lateral approach may be chosen. We describe an operative technique for a dorsal approach to the distal radioulnar joint that we have found to be extremely useful for a wide range of different pathologies. This technique not only allows excellent visualization of the head of the ulna and the distal radioulnar joint, but also the triangular fibrocartilage complex and the ulnocarpal joint as well. Furthermore, it provides a simple means of restoring normal alignment and stability to the distal radioulnar joint and the ulnar side of the carpus.