Physical therapy under hypnosis for the treatment of patients with type 1 complex regional pain syndrome of the hand and wrist: Retrospective study of 20 cases.

Type 1 complex regional painful syndrome (CRPS-1) has a complex physiopathology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy under hypnotherapy to treat this condition. Twenty patients with CRPS-1 at the wrist and hand were evaluated retrospectively: 13 women and 7 men with an average age of 56 years (34-75). Thirteen patients were in the inflammatory phase and 7 in the dystrophic phase. The main endpoints were pain (VAS, analgesic use), stiffness (wrist and finger range of motion), and strength (pinch and grasp). Secondary endpoints were functional scores (QuickDASH, PWRE), patient satisfaction, return to work, and side effects. Results were satisfactory in all cases after 5.4 sessions on average. VAS decreased by 4 points, PWRE-pain by 4.1 points, and analgesic use was limited to paracetamol upon request. Finger and wrist range of motion increased and the QuickDASH decreased by 34 points, PRWE-function by 3.8 points, pinch strength increased 4 points, and grasp strength by 10 points. Return to work was possible in 80% of the cases. All patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment. Physical therapy under hypnosis appears to be an effective treatment for CRPS-1 at the wrist and hand no matter the etiology.

Denervation of the wrist with two surgical incisions. Is it effective? A review of 33 patients with an average of 41months' follow-up.

The goal of wrist denervation is to decrease pain at the wrist, whether caused by an intra- or extra-articular problem or even when the reason for the pain is unknown. It is an alternative to partial or total arthrodesis and proximal row carpectomy. Our hypothesis was that wrist denervation with a two-incision technique was a reliable and efficient way to treat painful degenerative wrists. Thirty-three patients, 48years old on average, were included in this study. Indications were scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) in 18 cases, scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) in 10, distal radius fracture sequelae with advanced radiocarpal osteoarthritis in 4, and post-traumatic ulnocarpal impingement in 1 case. At 41 months' follow-up (12-161), there was a 75% reduction in pain levels, decreasing from 7.1 to 1.8 on a visual analog scale (VAS). There were no modifications related to wrist range of motion or grip strength. The QuickDASH averaged 23 points (5 to 70). Radiographic evaluation showed progression of intracarpal degeneration in 6 patients. All but 2 patients returned to their previous work. Persistent dysesthesia was observed in 7 patients; it resolved in 3 cases and persisted in 4. One patient developed complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). A midcarpal arthrodesis with scaphoidectomy was performed in one patient because of disabling pain 5months after surgery. Wrist denervation with a two-incision technique for post-traumatic osteoarthritis led to satisfactory results in 75% of cases with reduction in pain, preservation of range of motion and grip strength. However, this technique does not stop the progression of osteoarthritis. It can be discussed as a therapeutic alternative to proximal row carpectomy or intracarpal arthrodesis to treat degenerative painful wrists. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Proximal row carpectomy on manual workers: 17 patients followed for an average of 6 years.

Proximal row carpectomy (PRC) is indicated for the treatment of SNAC or SLAC wrist with preservation of the midcarpal joint. Our hypothesis was that PRC is not appropriate for treating advanced wrist osteoarthritis in patients who carry out heavy manual work. Twenty-three PRCs were performed on 21 patients, 5 women and 16 men with an average age of 54 years (33-77). All patients performed manual work; 11 of them performed heavy manual work. Etiologies were: SLAC wrist in 14 cases (2 stage III, 11 stage II, and 1 stage I) and SNAC wrist in 9 cases (6 stage IIIB and 3 stage IIB). At an average 75 months' follow-up (24-153), five patients were lost to follow-up. Radiocarpal arthrodesis was performed in one patient 10 years after the PRC. In the 17 remaining patients (18 wrists), pain (VAS) averaged 2.2, with residual pain of 5. Flexion-extension range was similar to preoperative levels (67% of contralateral wrist). Wrist strength was decreased by 34% compared to preoperative. The QuickDASH score averaged 26 points and the PRWE 20 points. Radiocapitate distance decreased by 0.3mm on average with joint line narrowing in 6 patients. The carpal translation index was 0.33mm, which was unchanged relative to preoperative values. Three patients had work-related limitations that required retraining and one patient had to be reassigned. PRC preserved the preoperative range of motion and reduced pain levels. However, significant loss of strength was observed, resulting in 23% of manual workers needing retraining or reassignment. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Distal radius fracture malunion: Importance of managing injuries of the distal radio-ulnar joint.

BACKGROUND: Distal radius malunion is a major complication of distal radius fractures, reported in 0 to 33% of cases. Corrective osteotomy to restore normal anatomy usually provides improved function and significant pain relief. We report the outcomes in a case-series with special attention to the potential influence of the initial management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This single-centre retrospective study included 12 patients with a mean age of 35years (range, 14-60years) who were managed by different surgeons. There were 8 extra-articular fractures, including 3 with volar angulation, 2 anterior marginal fractures, and 2 intra-articular T-shaped fractures; the dominant side was involved in 7/12 patients. Initial fracture management was with an anterior plate in 2 patients, Kapandji intra-focal pinning in 5 patients, plate and pin fixation in 2 patients, and non-operative reduction in 3 patients. The malunion was anterior in 10 patients, including 2 with intra-articular malunion, and posterior in 2 patients. Corrective osteotomy of the radius was performed in all 12 patients between 2005 and 2012. In 11/12 patients, mean time from fracture to osteotomy was 168days (range, 45-180days). The defect was filled using an iliac bone graft in 7 patients and a bone substitute in 4 patients. No procedures on the distal radio-ulnar joint were performed. RESULTS: All 12 patients were evaluated 24months after the corrective osteotomy. They showed gains in ranges not only of flexion/extension, but also of pronation/supination. All patients reported improved wrist function. The flexion/extension arc increased by 40° (+21° of flexion and +19° of extension) and the pronation/supination arc by 46° (+13° of pronation and +15° of supination). Mean visual analogue scale score for pain was 1.7 (range, 0-3). Complications recorded within 2years after corrective osteotomy were complex regional pain syndrome type I (n=1), radio-carpal osteoarthritis (n=3), and restricted supination due to incongruity of the distal radio-ulnar joint surfaces (n=3). This last abnormality should therefore receive careful attention during the management of distal radius malunion. DISCUSSION: In our case-series study, 3 (25%) patients required revision surgery for persistent loss of supination. The main error in these patients was failure to perform a complementary procedure on the distal radio-ulnar joint despite postoperative joint incongruity. This finding and data from a literature review warrant a high level of awareness that distal radio-ulnar joint congruity governs the outcome of corrective osteotomy for distal radius malunion.

Peri-lunate dislocation and fracture-dislocation of the wrist: Retrospective evaluation of 65 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Peri-lunate wrist dislocations and fracture-dislocations are related to high-energy trauma. Prognosis is often compromised because of the complexity of the lesions. The purpose of this study was to assess outcomes of acute peri-lunate injuries and correlate them with the type of lesion and management. MATERIEL AND METHODS: A monocenter retrospective study has been conducted. Sixty-five patients (65 wrists) were reviewed. According to Herzberg's classification, there were 18 isolated peri-lunate dislocations and 47 peri-lunate fracture-dislocations - 27 with a scaphoid fracture and 20 with an intact scaphoid. The displacement was dorsal in 62 cases. All patients were treated surgically. RESULTS: At an average follow-up of 8 years (2-16) the average Cooney score was 66 points, quick-DASH score 21 points, and PRWE score 28 points. Pain score was 1.3 out of 10 points at rest and 4.3 out of 10 with effort. The flexion-extension arc was 96° with an average strength of 38kg (70±23% of opposite side). Radiographic analysis has shown decrease in carpal height, increase in ulnar translation, and DISI. Sign of wrist arthritis was found in 58.5% of the cases. The rate of osteonecrosis was 7.7%. Regional sympathetic painful syndrome was observed in 12%. In 26% of the cases a secondary surgery was needed. No influence has been found with the final results between fracture-dislocation and isolated dislocation, and delay of treatment. Osteochondral lesions observed at surgery (P=0.035), osteonecrosis at follow-up (P=0.017), and modification of the scapho-lunate angle (P=0.029) were correlated with the occurrence of osteoarthritis. DISCUSSION: Peri-lunate dislocation and fracture-dislocation represent severe wrist trauma with often numerous sequelae with follow-up: pain, stiffness, loss of strength, carpal instability and arthritis. Early diagnosis and anatomic reduction are prerequisite to a satisfactory functional result. Capsulo-ligamentous lesions must be repaired and fractures must be fixed. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Case report: Double nerve transfer of the anterior and posterior interosseous nerves to treat a high ulnar nerve defect at the elbow.

Double neurotization of the deep branch of ulnar nerve (DBUN) and superficial branch of ulnar nerve using the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) and the recurrent (thenar) branch of the median nerve was first described by Battiston and Lanzetta. This article details the postoperative results after 18 months of a patient who underwent this technique using the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) instead of the recurrent branch of the median nerve for sensory reconstruction. A 35-year-old, right-handed man suffered major trauma to his right upper limb following a serious motor vehicle accident. One year later, a pseudocystic neuroma of the ulnar nerve was evident on ultrasound examination and MRI. After the neuroma had been resected, the nerve defect was estimated at 8 cm. One and a half years after the initial trauma, with the patient still at M0/S0, we transferred the AIN and PIN onto the deep and superficial branches of the ulnar nerve respectively. Nerve recovery was monitored clinically every month and by electromyography (EMG) every three months initially and then every six months. At 18 months postoperative, 5th digit abduction/adduction was 28 mm. Sensation was present at the base of the 5th digit. The patient was graded M3/S2. Clear re-innervation of the abductor digiti minimi was demonstrated by EMG (motor conduction velocity 50 m/s). Given that the ulnar nerve could not be excited at the elbow, this re-innervation had to be the result of the double nerve transfer. Neurotization of the DBUN using the AIN produces functional results as early as 1 year after surgery. Using PIN for sensory neurotization is easy to perform, has no negative consequences for the donor site, and leads to good recovery of sensation (graded as S2) after 18 months.

[Recovery of elbow flexion in post-traumatic C5-C6 and C5-C6-C7 palsy: retrospective dual-center study comparing single and double nerve transfer]. / Restauration de la flexion du coude dans les paralysies traumatiques C5-C6 et C5-C6-C7 : étude bicentrique rétrospective comparant simple versus double neurotisation.

Twenty-nine patients underwent single (n=15) or double (n=14) nerve transfer for post-traumatic elbow flexion palsy. Patients averaged 30.2 years, with a mean preoperative delay of six months and postoperative follow-up of 34.2 months. Sixty per cent of the single transfer patients recovered to BMRC grade M4 after an average of follow-up of 13.2 months. Eighty-five percent of double nerve transfer patients reached grade M4 after an average follow-up of 11 months. There were no significant differences between groups. Clinical assessment revealed motor or sensory deficit in seven cases, which did not cause any impairment. Patients with a C5-C6 injury had shorter recovery times and better strength in comparison with those with C5-C6-C7 injury. By restoring shoulder function, elbow flexion will be indirectly improved. This improvement can be partially attributed to the base of the arm being more stable.

Ultrasonography of the brachial plexus, normal appearance and practical applications.

Ultrasound examination of the brachial plexus, although at first sight difficult, is perfectly feasible with fairly rapid practical and theoretical training. The roots are accurately identified due to the shape (a single tubercle) of the transverse process of C7 in the paravertebral space, and the superficial position of C5 in the interscalene groove. The téléphérique technique allows the roots, trunks and cords to be followed easily into the supraclavicular fossa. In just a few years, ultrasound imaging of the plexus has become a routine anesthesia examination for guiding nerve blocks. In trained hands, it also provides information in thoracic outlet syndromes, traumatic conditions (particularly for postganglionic lesions) and tumoral diseases. Even if MRI remains the standard examination in these indications, ultrasound, with its higher definition and dynamic character, is an excellent additional method which is still under-exploited.

[Capitolunate arthrodesis: 12 patients followed-up an average of 10 years]. / Résultats cliniques et radiologiques à dix ans de recul moyen de l'arthrodèse capito-lunaire. Série monocentrique de 12 patients.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to evaluate long-term results of capitolunate arthrodesis for the treatment of posttraumatic degenerative wrist disorders. A capitolunate arthrodesis was performed on 12 patients, three women and nine men, of 45 years on average (28-66). Ten patients were manual workers. Dominant side was involved in seven cases. Indications were nine scapholunate dissociations (SLAC) and three scaphoid non-unions (SNAC) with degenerative lesions. Fixation of the arthrodesis was performed with K-wires in seven, K-wires and staples in two, and only staples in three. Patients were reviewed at 118 months of average follow-up (72-168). One complete wrist arthrodesis was necessary one year after the capitolunate arthrodesis for an evolutive painful osteoarthritis. For the 11 remaining patients, pain on visual analogic scale (VAS) was 0.5. The flexion/extension arc was decreased of 25° and strength of 6kg compared to preoperative values. DASH score was equal to 33.7 points, Cooney score to 77.2 points and Mayo score to 82.8 points. Radiolunate and capitolunate angles were decreased of 4.9° and 6.2° respectively compared to preoperative values. Some complications occurred: evolutive osteoarthritis between triquetrum and lunate in two, non-union of the arthrodesis in one, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy in two. Nine patients were able to return to their previous professional activities. Capitolunate arthrodesis allowed restoring a pain free and functional wrist in eight out of the 11 patients reviewed. Results were maintained with follow-up. It is a satisfactory therapeutic alternative to four corners fusion for chronic instability of the wrist with osteoarthritis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

[The role of a systematic second look at 48-72 hours in high-pressure injection injuries to the hand: a retrospective study]. / Intérêt d'un « second look ¼ systématique à 48-72 heures dans les injections à haute pression de la main : une étude rétrospective.

OBJECTIVES: Poorly standardized, the management of high pressure injections (HPI) is frequently too late and inadequate, some teams reporting up to 50% of amputations. HPI causes inoculation of toxic particles in depth, particularly difficult to remove surgically. The persistence of this foreign material maintains local inflammation and increases the risk of infection. The objective of this article is to validate the benefit of a systematic "second look" at 48-72 hours in HPI. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study from 2006 to 2010, of patients who had a HPI into the hand. All patients had initial debridement surgery and a "second look" was systematically performed at 48-72 hours. RESULTS: During this period, six patients were treated for a HPI of paint (n=4) or oil (n=2). The time between the accident and surgery was 12.4 hours (2-24). Four patients had good functional outcome with no disabling sequelae. We performed two amputations. At six months, five patients returned to work. CONCLUSIONS: Early management determines the prognosis of the HPI. Extended debridement within six hours showed a better functional outcome than later treatment. Performing a systematic "second look" allows further washing/debridement and gives the possibility to be more conservative during the initial procedure. This second debridement allows excision of the newly formed necrosis and to evacuate the remaining toxic residues. Finally, patients reported good functional outcome.

[Interest of a systematic second-look at 48-72 hours in high-pressure injections of paint: an animal study]. / Intérêt d'une revisite systématique à 48-72 heures dans les injections à haute pression de peinture : une étude animale.

STUDY PURPOSE: High-pressure injections (HPI) in the hand are rare and their prognosis is often tragic, some authors report up to 48% of amputations. Poorly standardized, their management is often too late and inadequate. The HPI of paint results in inoculation of toxic particles in depth that are particularly difficult to remove surgically. The persistence of this foreign material maintains local inflammation and increases the risk of infection. We wanted to simulate in rats, the physiopathology of HPI with paint. The aim of this study is to authenticate an advantage to achieve consistently a second surgical debridement at 48-72 hours in HPI with paint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six rats were injected with 200 bars of white glycerophtalic paint in the leg. At six hours and then every 24 hours for four days, we did a debridement and a surgical washing, then at the end of intervention a tissue sample was analyzed by histology. RESULTS: Despite surgical debridement and thorough washing, at each step we found the persistence of painting in the intermuscular septa by light microscopy. From 24 hours, a necroinflammatory process is set up with an influx of neutrophils, organizing themselves into micro-abscesses. It will be very deleterious, initially by encouraging risk of sepsis, and then facilitating the formation of extensive fibrosis, which is the cause of functional impairment. CONCLUSION: We established the kinetics of tissue under HPI with paint using an animal model. It appears that single emergency surgery is insufficient to manage this "septic compartment syndrome". Therefore, we recommend a systematic surgical "second look" at 48-72 hours to complete the debridement of residual inoculum and necrotic tissue without wound closure.

[Carpometacarpal dislocation of the fifth finger: descriptive study of 31 cases]. / Les luxations carpométacarpiennes du cinquième rayon: étude descriptive à propos de 31 cas.

OBJECTIVES: Carpometacarpal dislocation of the little finger is a rare and little known injury. We performed a 10 years retrospective study of all the cases in our unit in order to improve comprehension and treatment of this disease. METHODS: Thirty-one patients were included in this study. All the dislocations were dorsal with 5 isolated fifth carpometacarpal dislocations, 6 fracture-dislocations of the base of the fifth metacarpal, 19 fourth and fifth dislocations and one third-fourth-fifth dislocation. Diagnosis of the injury was made early in only 19 patients. 30 had surgical management, 28 with percutaneous K-wires, and 2 through a metacarpalhamate arthrodesis. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were available for follow-up at an average of 6 months and 5 patients were lost for follow-up. Twenty-five patients had satisfactory results. A reflex sympathetic dystrophy delayed the recovery for one patient. There was no recurrence of dislocation at follow-up. There was no complication necessitating revision surgery. CONCLUSION: Diagnosis of carpometacarpal dislocation of the little finger can be performed with conventional radiographic examination; computer-tomography is helpful to confirm an associated fracture of the carpus. The goal of treatment is early reduction and fixation of the metacarpal. There is no recommendation for operative technique based on scientific evaluation. Early diagnosis is the key to success.

Resection of the proximal row of the carpus. A review of 45 cases.

The authors present a review of 45 proximal carpectomies performed for various reasons between 1986 and 1995. The pre- and postoperative assessment was clinical and radiological, and the intra-operative analysis was based on the status of the cartilage of the radiolunate joint, and of the head of the capitate. Postoperative assessment was based on the biomechanical behaviour of the wrist after surgery. At the final follow-up, the authors noted that pain was improved in 90% and functional movement was preserved in 70% of patients. There was approximately 20% loss of strength when compared to the opposite hand.