Silicone arthroplasty versus screw arthrodesis in distal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction after distal interphalangeal joint silicone arthroplasty and compare this outcome to that achieved with screw arthrodesis. On average 4.4 years after surgery, range of motion of the distal interphalangeal joint, pain on a numeric rating scale, satisfaction, and hand appearance of 48 patients (78 treated fingers) were assessed. For arthroplasty patients, mean distal interphalangeal joint motion was 28° with an extension deficit of 17°. Pain was low for arthroplasty and arthrodesis patients with scores of 0.2 and 0.6 out of a total of 10 points, respectively. The patients in both groups were satisfied with their outcomes, but arthroplasty patients were less satisfied with the appearance. Twenty-one per cent of the arthroplasties and 15% of the arthrodeses underwent reoperation. We suggest the motion-preserving distal interphalangeal arthroplasty as an alternative to distal interphalangeal arthrodesis for patients with higher functional demands and whose joints are stable preoperatively. In patients attaching importance to hand aesthetics and for unstable joints, distal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis is preferable. Level of evidence: III.

Comparison of outcomes of three surgical approaches for proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty using a surface-replacing implant.

The objective was to compare outcomes of the volar, Chamay and tendon splitting approaches for proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty using a surface-replacing implant (CapFlex-PIP). One-hundred prospectively documented patients with a 2-year follow-up were included. Range of proximal interphalangeal joint motion, the brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire and complications were analysed. Between baseline and follow-up, mean proximal interphalangeal joint motion increased for the volar (53° to 54°), Chamay (38° to 53°) and tendon splitting (40° to 61°) approaches. The volar approach yielded the greatest flexion and the highest extension deficit. The mean brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire scores at baseline and 2 years were 45 and 74 (volar), 45 and 66 (Chamay) and 41 and 75 (tendon splitting). Seven patients in the Chamay group and two in the volar group required a reoperation consisting of teno-/arthrolysis. The tendon splitting approach tended to result in the best outcomes that were associated with fewer complications compared with the volar and Chamay approaches. Level of evidence: IV.

Factors predicting the 1-year outcome of collagenase treatment for Dupuytren's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have investigated the clinical outcome after collagenase treatment for Dupuytren's disease in terms of range of motion of the affected finger. However, good objective clinical outcome defined by a small remaining flexion contracture does not necessarily translate into satisfactory patient-subjective hand function. The aim of the present study was to identify predictors of patient-reported as well as objective clinical outcome in patients 1 year after collagenase treatment for Dupuytren's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Socio-demographic and disease-related data of 92 Dupuytren patients were collected prior to the intervention. Flexion contracture of the most affected finger was measured at baseline and 1 year after treatment. Patients also completed the brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (brief MHQ) before the intervention and at 1-year follow-up. First, univariate correlations using Pearson's correlation coefficient of the baseline variables with the two target variables were investigated. All variables with r > 0.35 were selected for a multivariate linear stepwise backwards regression model. RESULTS: The mean brief MHQ score increased between baseline (72 ± 14) and the 1-year follow-up (85 ± 15) (p ≤ 0.001) and baseline flexion contracture decreased from 76° (± 26) to 33° (± 31) (p ≤ 0.001). Higher hand function at baseline (R2 = 0.31) and less flexion contracture (R2 = 0.46) were identified as positive predictors for the outcome 1 year after collagenase treatment for Dupuytren's disease. Other variables such as age, gender, manual work and if the MCP or PIP joint was affected did not determine outcome in our patient series. CONCLUSIONS: Collagenase treatment resulted in considerable improvement in flexion contracture as well as patient-reported hand function at the 1-year follow-up. Clinicians can expect better outcome after collagenase infiltration in patients with less flexion contracture and in patients showing good initial self-reported hand function.

Minimal important change and patient acceptable symptom state for patients after proximal interphalangeal joint arthroplasty.

Our aim was to determine the minimal important change and patient acceptable symptom state for pain and the brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire in patients 1 year after proximal interphalangeaI joint arthroplasty. We analysed data of 100 patients from our prospective registry. The minimal important change and patient acceptable symptom state were determined with anchor-based methods, and patients with better or worse baseline status were examined. The minimal important change for pain at rest and during activities, and the brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire was -1.2, -2.8 and 18, respectively, with corresponding patient acceptable symptom state values of 1.5, 2.5 and 64. Patients with higher baseline symptoms rated more severe postoperative symptoms as acceptable, whereas patients with lower baseline symptoms were only satisfied with a low level of pain and high level of hand function. The minimal important change and patient acceptable symptom state are useful estimates for patient outcomes and study results. Level of evidence: IV.

Treatment Outcomes of 4-Corner Arthrodesis for Patients With Advanced Carpal Collapse: An Average of 4 Years' Follow-Up Comparing 2 Different Plate Types.

PURPOSE: The objective was to investigate the clinical and subjective outcomes of patients after 4-corner arthrodesis (FCA) for scapholunate advanced collapse (SLAC) or scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse (SNAC) and to analyze complications. Furthermore, we compared the long-term results of a first-generation nonlocking plate (Spider) and a plate with a locking screw design (Flower plate). METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, we included 39 patients with stage II or III SLAC or SNAC who underwent FCA. Twenty wrists were treated with a nonlocking plate and 19 with a locking plate. Patients completed the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) and the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ). Active range of wrist motion, radiological signs such as impingement, and signs of implant loosening and nonunion, as well as postoperative complications, were assessed. RESULTS: After a median postoperative follow-up time of 4.1 years, the PRWE score was 18 and the total MHQ score 79. Patient-reported and clinical outcomes were similar for the 2 plate types. Wrists fixed with the nonlocking plate had more dorsal impingements and loosening than wrists fixed with a locking plate. One nonunion was noted in the nonlocking plate group, and a single case of implant failure was seen for each plate type. A total of 5 patients with a nonlocking plate incurred postoperative complications that required further medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: FCA for patients with stage II or III SLAC or SNAC yields positive clinical and subjective outcomes. Based on the high complication rate following FCA with a nonlocking plate, we no longer use this implant and recommend fixation with a locking screw plate. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Trapeziectomy With Suspension-Interposition Arthroplasty for Thumb Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Use of Allograft Versus Flexor Carpi Radialis Tendon.

PURPOSE: The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the 12-month postoperative Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) total score between patients with osteoarthritis (OA) at the first carpometacarpal (CMC I) joint who underwent trapeziectomy with suspension-interposition arthroplasty using the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) tendon and those receiving a human dermal collagen template (allograft). METHODS: We included 60 patients with CMC I OA who met the indications for surgery. They were randomized into 1 of 2 groups: trapeziectomy using the FCR tendon or trapeziectomy with the allograft for suspension-interposition. Patients completed a set of questionnaires including the MHQ and were clinically assessed at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Complications were recorded. RESULTS: We operated on 29 patients using the FCR tendon; 31 patients received an allograft. Baseline MHQ total scores significantly increased from 51 (95% confidence interval [CI], 46-56) to 83 (95% CI, 78-87) and 53 (95% CI, 47-58) to 76 (95% CI, 69-84) by 12 months in the FCR and allograft groups, respectively. We found similar outcomes for both groups at all follow-up assessments. Five complications occurred in the FCR group, and 10 in the allograft group. Revision surgery was required for one allograft patient. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the FCR tendon or allograft for trapeziectomy with suspension-interposition arthroplasty in patients with CMC I OA leads to similar outcomes with more complications, mainly tendon irritations, associated with the latter. Therefore, we only use the allograft in cases of severe instability requiring a larger amount of suspension-interposition material or for revision procedures after failed suspension-interposition with the FCR tendon. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic I.

Measurement Properties of the Brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire in Patients With Dupuytren Contracture.

PURPOSE: The brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (briefMHQ) was developed as a shorter version of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), but its measurement properties have not been investigated in patients with Dupuytren contracture. The objective of the study was to investigate the reliability, validity, responsiveness, and interpretability of the briefMHQ. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients diagnosed with Dupuytren contracture completed the briefMHQ as well as the full-length MHQ and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire at baseline. Two to 14 days after baseline and 1 year after collagenase injection or surgery, patients again filled out the briefMHQ. Reliability was determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient and by calculating internal consistency (Cronbach alpha). Validity was tested by quantifying correlations with the full-length MHQ and QuickDASH. Responsiveness, based on the standardized response mean and the minimally clinically important change, was also determined. RESULTS: The briefMHQ had an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.87, Cronbach alpha of 0.88, and correlations of r = 0.88 and -0.82 with the original MHQ and QuickDASH, respectively. The standardized response mean was 0.9 and the minimally clinically important change was 7 points. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the briefMHQ demonstrates excellent reliability, good validity, and high responsiveness in patients with Dupuytren contracture. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The briefMHQ is an accurate and time-saving tool to evaluate patients with Dupuytren contracture and the effect of a corresponding treatment.

Osteointegration of a modular metal-polyethylene surface gliding finger implant: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Primary press fit and secondary osteointegration is a precondition for component anchoring in articular surface replacements, also in the case of proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. Nevertheless, many existing prostheses for the PIP joint have failed to show sufficient osteointegration. CapFlex-PIP(©) implant is a modular metal-polyethylene surface replacement for the PIP joint consisting of a proximal and distal component each having a titanium pore backside, which allows secondary osteointegration at the bone-implant interface. To evaluate osseous integration of this implant, we report a histological analysis of an explantation of a CapFlex-PIP(©) finger implant. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a removed CapFlex-PIP(©) implant due to a soft tissue complication in an 84-year-old woman. The patient received bisphosphonate medication as treatment for osteoporosis. For the histological analysis, the bone-implant contact (BIC) was measured on all stained sections using a Zeiss Axioplan microscope. The summated BIC was 40.7 % for the proximal component and 46.5 % for the distal component of the implant. Histology showed that the implant was in direct contact with the bone at various locations, with no signs of wear or degradation. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates successful osteointegration of the CapFlex-PIP(©) implant. Both components of the investigated implant show osseous integration to an extent which is comparable to that of other load-bearing and articulating implants at different locations in the human body.

New technical design of food packaging makes the opening process easier for patients with hand disorders.

Opening packaged food is a complex daily activity carried out worldwide. Peelable packaging, as used for cheese or meat, causes real problems for many consumers, especially elderly people and those with hand disorders. Our aim was to investigate the possibility of producing meat packaging that is easier for patients with hand disorders to open. One hundred patients with hand osteoarthritis were asked to open a meat package currently available in supermarkets (Type A) and a modified, newly designed version (Type B), and rate their experiences with a consumer satisfaction index (CSI). The mean CSI of the Type B packs was 68.9%, compared with 41.9% for Type A (p < 0.0001). These results show that manufacturers today can produce easy-to-open food packages that afford greater consumer satisfaction. Such future packaging would benefit not only people with hand disorders but also the population as a whole.

A modular surface gliding implant (CapFlex-PIP) for proximal interphalangeal joint osteoarthritis: a prospective case series.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the one-year postoperative clinical and patient-rated outcomes in patients receiving proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthroplasty with a modular surface gliding implant, CapFlex-PIP. METHODS: 10 patients each with primary osteoarthritis of a single PIP joint were assessed preoperatively (baseline), at 6 weeks, and 3, 6, and 12 months after CapFlex-PIP arthroplasty for lateral stability and range of motion of the affected digit. In addition, patients rated their pain using a numeric rating scale and function and overall assessment of their treatment and condition using the quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) and Patient Evaluation Measure (PEM) questionnaires, respectively. RESULTS: The mean baseline active mobility of the affected PIP joint increased from 42° to 51° by one year, although this change was not significant. Patients reported reduced pain at one year, which was statistically significant. There was also a significant improvement between baseline and one-year QuickDASH (43 points vs 15 points, respectively) and PEM scores (51 vs 25 points, respectively). Absent or low lateral instability was observed in 9 joints at follow-up. All implants remained intact over the one-year postoperative period and there was no migration, osteolysis, or implant fracture. After study completion, 2 patients underwent tenolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients experienced a significant reduction in pain and a trend towards increased mobility. All implants showed complete osteointegration without evidence of radiological migration. Lateral stability improved. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.