Vascularized Ulnar Transposition and Ulno-scapholunate Fusion for Reconstructing Campanacci Grade 3 Giant Cell Tumor of Distal Radius: Technique and a Series of 5 Cases.

Campanacci grade 3 distal radius giant cell tumors are difficult to treat and just doing a curettage and bone grafting is insufficient. These lesions are associated with a high chance of recurrence. We are presenting our technique and series of 5 patients who underwent enbloc excision and ulna transposition with ulno-scapholunate fusion. Between 2014 and 2017 5 patients underwent en bloc excision of Campanacci grade 3 giant cell tumor of the distal radius, ulna transposition and ulno carpal fusion. These patients were regularly followed for evidence of union, range of motion, grip strength, and to look for recurrence of tumor. All 5 patients were Campanacci grade 3 tumors. The average duration of symptoms was 5 months (1 to 9 mo). The average duration of follow-up was 33 months (24 to 48 mo). The average time for ulno-scapholuante fusion was 8 weeks (6 to 10 wk) and the average time to radio ulnar fusion was 14.5 weeks (12 to 16 wk). The average arc of wrist flexion and extension was 34 degrees. The average grip strength was 58.2% of the contralateral side (48% to 69%). In conclusion vascularized ulnar transposition with partial wrist fusion for a Camapanacci grade 3 giant cell tumor is an alternate procedure in the management of these difficult tumors.

Analysis of shoulder abduction by dynamic shoulder radiograph following suprascapular nerve repair in brachial plexus injury.

BACKGROUND: Suprascapular nerve repair is a widely-prioritized procedure for shoulder reconstruction following brachial plexus injury. Although this procedure only reconstructs glenohumeral joint motion, the standard clinical assessment of shoulder function also includes the scapulothoracic joint contribution. The purpose of this preliminary study was to develop an objective method to accurately analyze shoulder abduction following suprascapular nerve repair in brachial plexus injury patients. METHODS: We introduced an objective method to accurately analyze independent shoulder abduction performed by supraspinatus muscle with the help of dynamic shoulder radiography. Antero-posterior radiographs of both shoulders in adduction and maximal active abduction were obtained. Five parameters were measured. They included global abduction, abduction in glenohumeral, scapulothoracic and clavicular joints along with lateral flexion of thoracic spine. Data were analyzed to distinguish glenohumeral joint contribution from that of scapulothoracic motion. The detailed biomechanics of glenohumeral motion were also analyzed in relation to scapulothoracic motion to separately define the contribution of each in global shoulder abduction. RESULTS: The test-retest, intra-examiner and inter-examiner reliabilities of the measurements were assessed. Intra-class correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman plots and repeatability coefficients showed excellent reliability for each parameter. The range of glenohumeral abduction showed high correlation to subtraction of the range of scapulothoracic from the range of global abduction. However, not all negative ranges of glenohumeral abduction meant non-recovery after nerve repair, because scapulothoracic motion contributed in parallel but not uniformly to global shoulder motion. CONCLUSION: The conventional measurement of shoulder global abduction with goniometer is not an appropriate method to analyze the results of suprascapular nerve repair in brachial plexus palsy patients. We recommend examination of glenohumeral and scapulothoracic motions separately with dynamic shoulder radiographic analysis. With scapulothoracic contribution to the global shoulder motion, the glenohumeral motion can be wrongly assessed.

Arthroplasty for fifth carpometacarpal joint arthritis.

Background Fifth-carpometacarpal (CMC)-joint fractures and dislocations can produce carpometacarpal joint arthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the radiographic and clinical outcomes of arthroplasty for fifth carpometacarpal joint arthritis. Material and Methods A series of six patients who had symptomatic advanced fifth-CMC arthritis and had failed to respond to conservative treatment. All patients underwent Dupert's technique of fifth-CMC arthroplasty with a mean follow-up of 17.6 months. Results were reviewed clinically and radiographically. Results Union between the fourth and fifth metacarpals was observed at an average of 6.2 weeks after surgery. Grip strength improved. Range of motion (ROM) of the fifth metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint and the fifth metacarpal height remained unchanged. Visual analog scale (VAS) results improved significantly. Conclusion Despite the medium-term follow-up and small number of patients, our results suggest fifth-CMC arthroplasty with arthrodesis of the fourth and fifth metacarpal bases may be a reliable procedure for fifth-CMC arthritis.

Ligament reconstruction with tendon interposition arthroplasty for first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis.

BACKGROUND: Ligament reconstruction tendon interposition (LRTI) is the most commonly performed surgical procedure for first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to examine the radiographic and clinical outcomes of LRTI arthroplasty and document the clinical results based on metacarpal subsidence. METHODS: From January 2008 to January 2011, 19 patients (21 thumbs) underwent surgery for thumb carpometacarpal arthritis using ligament reconstruction tendon interposition arthroplasty with flexor carpi radialis (FCR) in Kleinert Kutz Hand Care Center of Louisville University, USA. The follow-up period was an average of 13.9 months. Pain, grip strength, tip pinch strength, range of motion, and radiographic measurements were recorded. Based on first metacarpal subsidence, the cases were classified in to mild, moderate, and severe. Clinical outcomes of the groups were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Grip strength improved from 18.6 kg to 20.5 kg, and tip pinch strength increased from 4.4 kg to 4.5 kg after the surgery. Radial abduction and palmar abduction improved after surgery. Radial abduction increased from 55.7° to 60.6° and palmar abduction improved from 56.7° to 63.5° after the procedure. Visual analogue scores (VAS) were significantly reduced, from 6.6 to 0.5. Compared with the preoperative radiographs the first metacarpal had subsided about 54.6% of the arthroplasty space. The height of arthroplasty space and index of the arthroplasty space significantly decreased from 12.4 mm to 5.6 mm and from 0.27 to 0.12 respectively. Between the various groups (mild, moderate and severe metacarpal subsidence), there was no difference in grip strength, tip pinch strength, thumb range of motion, and VAS. CONCLUSIONS: Ligament reconstruction tendon interposition arthroplasty resulted in excellent relief of pain and increase in range of motion. However, LRTI cannot maintain the arthroplasty space. Compared with the preoperative radiographs, the metacarpal subsided more than 50%. The amount of first metacarpal subsidence has no bearing on the results.

Radioscapholunate arthrodesis using low-profile dorsal pi plate.

Radioscapholunate arthrodesis is a desirable method to treat isolated radiolunate arthritis or ulnar translocation of the carpal bones. An intact midcarpal joint is a prerequisite for functional range of motion. Previously, high rates of nonunion were observed with these procedures, as rigid fixation was difficult to obtain with simple Kirschner wires and screws. A successful outcome depends on bringing the scaphoid, lunate, and the radius to an anatomic alignment, and rigid fixation of the arthrodesis. We describe a technique for the arthrodesis of the radioscapholunate joint from the dorsal side using a low-profile locking Pi plate. We observed the advantages of an easy approach, better visualization of the joint, and easier manipulation of the carpal bones. The Pi plate fits on the scaphoid, lunate, and the radius with minimal adjustment. It is not necessary to remove the Lister's tubercle. Pi plate allows for rigid fixation and compression between the scaphoid, lunate, and the radius by 1 compression and 1 locking screw in scaphoid and lunate, and by 2 eccentric compression screws in the radius. Rectangular retinacular flaps were used under and over the extensor tendons. We performed these arthrodeses in patients with lunate fossa arthritis after a distal radius fracture, and with ulnar translocation of the carpus. We have observed excellent clinical results with about 50% of wrist motion preserved and no cases of nonunion or delayed union.

Radiographic evaluation of chronic static scapholunate dissociation post soft tissue reconstruction.

The purpose of this study was to examine the radiographic outcomes of dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis (DILC), documenting the time to carpal collapse postoperatively. From January 2008 to January 2011, 12 patients were identified with chronic scapholunate (SL) dissociation. The average follow-up period was 15.8 months. Paired t-tests were used preoperatively, one month after pin removal, and at final follow-up to determine significance in radiographic outcomes. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) survey was administered to patients before and after surgery to assess subjective levels of pain, function, and satisfaction. Intraoperatively all deformities were reduced completely. One month after pin removal, the mean SL gap was 3.3 mm, the SL angle was 74°, the radiolunate (RL) angle was 17°, and the lunatocapitate (LC) angle was 8°. Only the SL angle improved; the other measurements remained unchanged. At final follow-up, the mean SL gap was 3.6 mm, the SL angle was 78°, the RL angle was 20°, and the LC angle was 10°. SL angle worsened, but with no statistically significant difference. The other radiographic measurements remained unchanged at final follow up. Wrist flexion and extension decreased from 76% and 69% of the contralateral side to 62% and 56% of the contralateral side after surgery. Grip strength was 64% of the contralateral side before surgery and 83% after surgery. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) results improved from 6.3 to 1.7, and DASH scores improved from 39 to 8 after the surgery. DILC cannot withstand large and repetitive forces. Carpal collapse recurred within a short time after DILC. However, our small patient numbers and short term follow-up preclude any conclusions with respect to clinical efficacy of this procedure. Limitations of this study include the fact that this is a retrospective study with no control group. In addition, it represents a single-surgeon series, which introduces a source of bias and carries the risk of technical and methodological flaws, which may have contributed to the observed radiographic outcomes.