Comparison of Clinical Outcomes After Different Surgical Approaches for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is one of the most common causes of lateral elbow pain. When nonoperative treatment fails, 1 of the 3 surgical approaches-open, percutaneous, or arthroscopic-is used. However, determining which approach has the superior clinical outcome remains controversial. Purpose: To review the outcomes of different operative modalities for LE qualitatively and quantitatively. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: This review was performed and reported according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies published in PubMed, Medline (via EBSCO), and ScienceDirect databases that treated LE with open, percutaneous, or arthroscopic approaches with at least 12 months of follow-up were included. Study quality was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool and the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies score. The primary outcome was the success rate of each operative treatment approach-open, percutaneous, and arthroscopic. Results: From an initial search result of 603 studies, 43 studies (n = 1941 elbows) were ultimately included. The arthroscopic approach had the highest success rate (91.9% [95% CI, 89.2%-94.7%]) compared with the percutaneous (91% [95% CI, 87.3%-94.6%]) and open (82.7% [95% CI, 75.6%-89.8%]) approaches for LE surgery with changes in the mean visual analog scale pain score of 5.54, 4.90, and 3.63, respectively. According to the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, the functional outcome improved in the arthroscopic group (from 54.11 to 15.47), the percutaneous group (from 44.90 to 10.47), and the open group (from 53.55 to 16.13). The overall improvement was also found in the Mayo Elbow Performance Score, the arthroscopic group (from 55.12 to 90.97), the percutaneous group (from 56.31 to 87.65), and the open group (from 64 to 93.37). Conclusion: Arthroscopic surgery had the highest rate of success and the best improvement in functional outcomes among the 3 approaches of LE surgery.

Reconstruction of multiple fingertip crush injuries with full-thickness skin grafting.

Fingertip crush injuries are commonly encountered as a result of workplace accidents causing significant morbidity. The primary goal of reconstruction is to restore function and sensibility, as well as a faster return to work. We reported a patient with multiple fingertip injuries presented 5 days following the initial injury. Copious irrigation and excisional debridement were performed, followed by a full-thickness skin graft harvested from the volar wrist. At the 4-month follow-up, all of the reconstructed fingertips achieved good functionality without any pain or sensory impairment. The length was well preserved and static two-point discrimination was comparable with the contralateral side. Full-thickness skin grafts may provide an excellent alternative reconstruction option in the management of multiple fingertip crush injuries.

Tibialis anterior tendon transfer using suture anchor provides excellent alternative treatment for relapse clubfoot: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Relapsed clubfoot is defined as the recurrence of any component of deformity after a complete correction. While the Ponseti method has been known to have excellent outcomes, several relapse cases have been reported. Thus, further surgical intervention is needed to achieve a good and reliable long-term outcome. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: We report a presentation of a 5-year-old boy who came to the clinic with a relapsed bilateral clubfoot after serial Ponseti casting. Plantar fascia release, Achilles tendon lengthening, and tibialis anterior tendon transfer (TATT) were performed respectively followed by an above-knee cast. The patient gained acceptable walking balance and ability to perform high impact sports at one year follow-up. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: There are several factors contributing to the relapse clubfoot including adherence to post op foot abduction brace (FAB) protocol, muscle imbalance or inadequate correction of initial deformities. The current case report described a relapse clubfoot following serial Ponseti casting caused by non-compliance of the use of foot abduction brace. Further surgical interventions must be performed in the presence of relapse case of clubfoot. CONCLUSION: Relapse clubfoot is the presence of any recurring deformity following correction. Surgical intervention, especially TATT procedure provides a favorable outcome in treating patients with relapse clubfoot.

Compression syndromes of the popliteal neurovascular due to Baker cyst: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Baker's cyst, or popliteal cyst, is typically arising in the popliteal fossa located between the semi-membranous tendon and the medial head of the gastrocnemius. Asymptomatic Baker's cyst does not require treatment. Surgical treatment may be considered after the failure of conservative measures when the cyst causes persistent pain and rarely compresses the adjacent neurovascular structure. CASE PRESENTATION: We report an unusual presentation of Baker's cyst in a 43-year-old patient who complained of knee pain and after several months of conservative treatment. Following a physical and radiological examination, a Baker cyst was confirmed that compresses the tibial nerve. A surgical decompression and excision of the cyst was performed using the posterior approach to allow complete removal of the cyst's stalk and wall. Histopathological report confirms dense collagen without true epithelial lining. The patient was asymptomatic at 6 months of follow-up. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: It is important to recognize that a large Baker's cyst can be symptomatic and present as a compression syndrome of the adjacent neurovascular structure. The current case report described an early surgical management to treat a tibial nerve compression syndrome caused by a Baker cyst. A surgical decompression through a posterior approach may facilitate complete removal of the cyst wall. CONCLUSIONS: Baker's cyst is a common knee pathology that could rarely compress the adjacent neurovascular structures. The surgical decompression through a posterior approach results in favorable outcomes in symptomatic patients with failed conservative measures.