Estimation of the vitamin D (VD) status of pregnant Japanese women based on food intake and VD synthesis by solar UV-B radiation using a questionnaire and UV-B observations.

Although vitamin D (VD; serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D) deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) is widespread among Japanese women, the VD status among pregnant women is unknown. This study aimed to determine the VD status of pregnant Japanese women during different meteorological seasons and to determine the factors controlling VD status. A total of 309 pregnant Japanese women were recruited at 28 weeks of gestation at the gynecology department of a university hospital in Tokyo between August 2018 and October 2019. Blood samples were collected to measure serum 25(OH)D levels. Two questionnaires were completed: a brief self-administered dietary history questionnaire (BDHQ) and an outdoor exposure history questionnaire to determine skin sunlight exposure and the use of sunscreen. Among the recruited subjects, 268 were included in the statistical analysis. The average VD intake from food was 9.0 µg/day, the average VD synthesis from UV-B was 15.2 µg/day, and the average sum of VD intake and nominal VD synthesis was 24.1 µg/day; this exceeded the recommended 2011 Dietary Reference Intake for the USA and Canada (15.0 µg/day). However, the average serum 25(OH)D level (11.4 ng/mL) was very low, indicating widespread VD deficiency. Serum 25(OH)D and VD synthesis by solar UV-B were significantly correlated only during the high UV-B season. The 25(OH)D level was weakly correlated with the VD intake from food in all seasons. We obtained a statistically significant correlation between serum 25(OH)D level and VD intake from food using the BDHQ. We also obtained a statistically significant correlation between the serum 25(OH)D level and VD synthesis from solar UV-B exposure, especially during the high UV-B season. Our logistic regression analysis model predicted VD deficiency in 88.0% of subjects. Our method might be possible to be used to predict the VD status of pregnant Japanese women, although another validation cohort is needed to verify the ability of the estimation equation.

New Linked-Wire-Type External Fixator (the Ichi-Fixator System) for Metacarpal Fractures: Case Series and Literature Review.

Background: External fixator is an effective treatment option in the comminuted or unstable metacarpal fractures. The new linked-wire type of external fixator (the Ichi-Fixator System) developed for hand and wrist fractures enables fine adjustment of the fixation under fluoroscopic inspection through small screws inside the fixator fitted externally. This technique is designed to reinforce the stability and rigidity of conventional percutaneous Kirchner wire fixation. The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the fixator for comminuted or unstable metacarpal fractures through the evaluation of short-term results in ten cases. Methods: Patients were fixated with fixator pins and metal clamps using the Ichi-Fixator System. All patients were then examined for post-operative complications, functional recovery, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Q-DASH) score at the end of the final follow-up consultation. Results: Operative treatment using the Ichi-Fixator System facilitates anatomical reduction and allows immediate full mobilization, producing good outcomes. No infections were observed in all cases, including those at pin insertion sites. There were no implant failure and nonunion. Patients could perform all routine activities with normal grip strength and retained a full range of hand motion without pain. This treatment method with improved postoperative comfort would allow immediate return to work, which would clearly boost patient satisfaction. Conclusions: Ichi-Fixator System is considered to be useful for the treatment of metacarpal fractures, and this will provide a new surgical option for all hand fractures.

Minimally invasive internal fixation for extra-articular distal radius fracture: Comparison between volar plate and intramedullary nail.

INTRODUCTION: There are numerous internal fixation techniques for distal radius fracture, using pins, plates or nails. Some authors have developed minimally invasive procedures. The aim of the present study was to compare two minimally invasive internal fixation techniques for unstable extra-articular distal radius fracture in women over 50 years of age: volar plate (minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis: MIPO), and intramedullary nail. HYPOTHESES: The main study hypothesis was that the incision scar left by minimally invasive internal fixation is smaller using MIPO than an intramedullary nail. The secondary hypotheses were that the two techniques do not differ in terms of pain, functional score, strength, range of motion and radiologic indices. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The series comprised nineteen A2.2 and one A2.1 fractures in 20 female patients with a mean age of 72 years. The first 10 (group 1) received minimally invasive internal fixation of the distal radius by MIPO, and the other 10 (group 2) by intramedullary nail locked onto the distal radius epiphysis and diaphysis. RESULTS: The main study hypothesis was confirmed: the incision scar left by minimally invasive internal fixation was smaller using MIPO than an intramedullary nail (mean, 14.3mm vs. 32.8mm). Some of the secondary hypotheses were also confirmed: there were no differences between the two techniques in terms of pain at 6 months, QuickDASH, PRWE (Patient-Reported Wrist Evaluation), range of motion or ulnar variance; two were not confirmed: pain at 6 weeks was less with intramedullary nails, and palmar slope was better with MIPO. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The main study hypothesis was confirmed: the incision scar left by minimally invasive internal fixation was smaller using MIPO than an intramedullary nail. In conclusion, the present findings showed that internal fixation of unstable extra-articular fracture in over 50-year-olds gave better clinical results at 6 weeks using an intramedullary nail, while MIPO required smaller incision. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III, retrospective study.

Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis for Extra-articular Distal Radius Fracture in Postmenopausal Women: Longitudinal versus Transverse Incision.

Background This work aimed to compare two mini-invasive palmar approaches (longitudinal and transverse) to osteosynthesize fractures of the distal radius. The main hypothesis was that the longitudinal technique gave smaller incisions. The secondary hypothesis was that the longitudinal technique would be better for the recovery of pain, functional scores, strength, and mobility. Materials and Methods The series included 30 extra-articular distal radius fractures in 30 patients (average age: 74 years) fixed with volar locking plate using a mini-invasive technique. Fifteen of these patients had a single longitudinal surgical approach (Group I), and 15 had a transverse approach that was completed with a longitudinal incision for the proximal screws (Group II). Results The combined average incision size was 14.73 mm in Group I and 19.8 mm in Group II. After 6 months, the pain was on average 1.4/10 (Group I) and 0.46/10 (Group II), the quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand was 13.63/100 (Group I) and 2.8/100 (Group II), Patient-Related Wrist Evaluation was 11.8/100 (Group I) and 5.97/100 (Group II), grip strength was 81.06% (Group I) and 72.13% (Group II), flexion was 88.13% (Group I) and 75% (Group II), extension was 86% (Group I) and 64.6% (Group II), ulnar inclination was 89% (Group I) and 78.67% (Group II), radial inclination was 89.73% (Group I) and 79.93% (Group II), pronation was 96.67% (Group I) and 81.46% (Group II), and supination was 91.93% (Group I) and 79.87% (Group II). Clinical Relevance The longitudinal technique gave smaller incisions than the transverse technique. Among the secondary hypotheses, all the variables were better with the longitudinal technique, except the pain, although without any significant difference.

Survival Rate on a 10-Year Follow-Up of Total Wrist Replacement Implants: A 23-Patient Case Series.

Background According to current literature, the estimated average survival rate for Remotion, the total wrist implants, is above 90% on an 8-year follow-up. We examined our series of Remotion to calculate its survival rate on a 10-year follow-up. Case Description A total of 23 cases of total wrist implants were reviewed. The case series included 22 patients, 18 females and 4 males, of an average age of 55 years. The case series included 19 inflammatory rheumatic diseases, 3 Kienböck disease, and 1 posttraumatic arthrosis. Conclusion The average survival rate of our case series was 95.7% on a 4-year follow-up, 91.3% on a 6-year follow-up, and 69% on a 10-year follow-up. On our review, the QuickDASH score, pain, wrist extension range of motion, and grip strength were improved postoperatively. No difference was shown between preoperative and postoperative values for wrist flexion, pronation, and supination. The case series included a septic case, treated by arthrodesis, and three total wrist implants displacements, two of which were treated by carpal implant, and the remaining one was treated by arthrodesis. Clinical Relevance The survival rate of the total wrist replacement implant Remotion was estimated to be 69%.

Correction to: Distal radius fluoroscopic skyline view: extension-supination versus flexion-supination.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake and has been corrected. First and last names of the author were interchanged. The correct author name is given below.

Distal radius fluoroscopic skyline view: extension-supination versus flexion-supination.

The aim of our study was to compare the vertical fluoroscopic view of the wrist in extension and supination (ES) to the view in flexion and supination (FS) and determine which of the two views allowed the best visualization of four selected anatomical landmarks SDLR (radial styloid, dorsal radius cortex, Lister's tubercle and distal radioulnar joint). Our case series included 50 patients who had suffered a distal radius fracture and undergone an open reduction and internal fixation procedure with a volar locking plate. For each case, two fluoroscopic views were taken: ES (wrist extension and supination) (group I) and FS (wrist flexion and supination) (group II). Ten observers had to recognize the SDLR anatomical landmarks on 100 fluoroscopic skyline views (time 1) and 15 days later (time 2). The rate of recognition of the four anatomical landmarks was 78% in group I and 66% in group II (p < 0.001). The concordance rate of recognition of the four anatomical landmarks was mediocre (κ = 0.411). In conclusion, the vertical fluoroscopic skyline view in wrist extension and supination seems to be the most adequate view to assess the quality of the fracture reduction, the distal radioulnar joint and the length of the screws in open reduction and internal fixation of distal radius fractures with volar locking plates.

Treatment of tendinous mallet fingers using a Stack splint versus a dorsal glued splint.

The goal of this study was to compare the results of a Stack splint compared to a dorsal glued splint in the treatment of tendinous mallet fingers. Our series included 100 patients, aged 47 years in average, among which 40 are women, with a 9-week follow-up. The first 50 patients (group I) were treated with a dorsal glued splint, and the 50 following patients (group II) were treated with a Stack splint. The average lack of active extension of the distal phalanx was 3.1° in group I and 1.74° in group II. The average pain was rated 0.22/10 in group I and 0.26/10 in group II. There were seven cases of nail dystrophies, 18 cases of macerations and five cases of swan neck deformities in group I. There were six cases of macerations and four cases of swan neck deformities in group II. The dorsal nail-glued splint gives comparable results to the Stack splint with the added advantage of leaving the fingertip free.

Surgical technique: about a new total and isoelastic wrist implant (Prosthelast®).

This study describes a new total wrist implant (Prosthelast®) designed to reduce the risk of distal migration of the carpal component. The Prosthelast® implant consists in a one-block radial implant replacing the metaphysis and the articular surface fixed to a radial elastic centromedullar wire and a carpal component in titanium with an articular condylar surface in polyethylene. We operated on five patients (three male patients and two female patients) and followed them up for 12 months on average. Two of the patients presented with rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist, and an ulnar osteotomy (Darrach procedure) was carried out at the same time of the arthroplasty. All clinical variables improved postoperatively (Quick DASH score, pain score, range of motion) except from wrist flexion which was reduced. No patients underwent revision surgery. Two patients presented with a periprosthetic radiolucent loosening around the radial component, but no implant migration was observed. Overall, the preliminary results of our case series show that the new Prosthelast® implant presents comparable short-term results to those described in the literature. We will follow up the patients to verify that long-term results are as satisfactory as the short-term results.

Volar Locking Plate Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures: Splint versus Immediate Mobilization.

Background The goal of this study was to demonstrate that the use of a splint after performing an osteosynthesis of the distal radius with a volar locking plate is unnecessary. The main hypothesis was that postoperative flexion of the wrist was greater without a splint. Secondary hypothesis was that patients who were allowed immediate mobilization got better results in terms of pain, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), strength, extension, pronation, and supination. Case Description Our series included 72 patients, aged 59 years in average of which 59 were female patients. All patients had been operated for a volar locking plate fixation of a distal radius fracture. The first 36 patients (group I) were immobilized by a splint at 30° of extension of the wrist for 2 weeks. The following 36 patients (group II) were not immobilized. Results At 3 months, all the average variables were better in the group without splint (group I: flexion 74.83%, extension 83.13%, pronation 92.07%, supination 88.11%, pain 1.72/10, Quick DASH 21.78/100, PRWE 22.97/100, strength 62.96%; group II: flexion 85.50%, extension 83.4%, pronation 92.96%, supination 92.96%, pain 1.28/10, Quick DASH 19.57/100, PRWE 20.56/100, strength 66.34%). No complication was reported. Conclusion Overall, our results demonstrate that wearing a splint after volar locking plate fixation of a distal radius fracture is unnecessary.

Results of the treatment of first carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis: trapeziectomy alone versus trapeziectomy associated with suspensionplasty.

BACKGROUNDS: The goal of this study was to compare trapeziectomy alone to trapeziectomy associated with a technique of suspensionplasty using the abductor pollicis longus with a minimum of 6 years of follow-up in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint. METHODS: Our series included 46 trapeziectomies in 35 patients, aged 69 years in average, among which 27 were women. In 27 cases group I, a trapeziectomy alone was performed, and in 19 cases group II, a trapeziectomy associated with an abductor pollicis longus suspensionplasty was performed. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, the difference between pre- and postoperative Quick DASH was - 36.104 in average in group I and - 38.877 in average in group II p = 0.7717. The difference between pre- and postoperative pain was - 3.926 in average in group I and - 4.368 in average in group II p = 0.35. The difference of pre- and postoperative thumb opposition was 0.630 in group I and 0.421 in group II p = 0.3033. The average difference of pre- and postoperative key pinch was 0.389 in group I and 0.842 in group II p = 0.3303. No complication was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that it is unnecessary to perform a ligamentoplasty when a trapeziectomy is indicated.

Correction to: The minimally invasive flexor carpi radialis approach: a new perspective for distal radius fractures.

With regards to Juan José Hidalgo Diaz, fifth author. The author's name is incorrectly listed on Pub-Med. The first and last name has been mixed up.Correct first name is: JJ (on PubMed: JJH.).Correct last name is: Hidalgo Diaz (on PubMed: Diaz).On SpringerLink the name is listed correctly, but on PubMed he is listed as Diaz JJH.

Conservative treatment of distal fractures after the age of 65: a review of literature.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the role of conservative treatment of distal radius fractures in the elderly since 2000. Our series included 22 articles, of which 3 reviews, 2 meta-analyses, 6 descriptive series of conservative treatment, 10 series comparing surgical and conservative treatments and 1 series comparing different types of conservative treatments. The reduction was performed by closed reduction in 7 cases and by traction in 3 cases. A short-arm cast was used in 8 cases and a long-arm cast in 4 cases for an average length of 6 weeks. The indications of conservative treatment were varied: AO type A fractures in 2 cases, type C fractures in 1 case, types A and C in 8 cases and types A, B and C in 3 cases. No article reported any significant difference between surgical and conservative treatments in terms of DASH or PRWE, whereas strength was sometimes improved when surgical treatment was used. Radiological results were always better after surgical treatment. The rate of complications varied greatly, greater, equally or lower compared to conservative treatment depending on the series. All in all, there is no consensus to assert that a conservative treatment is more justified than a surgical treatment to treat distal radius fractures after the age of 65. Most authors consider that the long-term clinical outcome is identical and that the radiological result is better after surgical treatment. The fact that the fixation of a distal radius fracture by a volar locking plate after 65 years speeds up the recovery remains to be proven.

The minimally invasive flexor carpi radialis approach: a new perspective for distal radius fractures.

The minimally invasive flexor carpi radialis approach can be used for volar locking plate fixation of distal radius fractures. After 15-mm incision on the lateral aspect of the FCR tendon and all structures but the radial artery are reclined ulnarly, a plate is inserted under the pronator quadratus just proximal to the "watershed line." The distal epiphyseal screws are put in place, and the proximal part of the plate is exposed by flexion of the wrist to put in place the proximal screws. No drainage or postoperative immobilization is used. It offers the advantage of preserving ligamentotaxis which facilitates the reduction, and the small size of the scar improves the esthetic result of the procedure. It is indicated for extra-articular fractures of the distal radius. In the case of an intraarticular fracture, an arthroscopy may be associated. In the case of a proximal diaphyseal extension of the fracture, a second proximal approach can be added in order to use a longer plate. Relative contraindications are comminuted articular fractures in elderly osteoporotic patients. Functional and radiological results are comparable to those obtained with the extented flexor carpi radialis approach. A conversion of the procedure for a larger incision is always possible in the case of a difficult reduction.

Distal radius fracture after proximal row carpectomy.

INTRODUCTION: We encountered a patient with distal radius fracture (DRF) after proximal row carpectomy (PRC). The mechanism of the DRF after PRC is discussed in this report. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The patient was a 73-year-old female who had undergone PRC due to Kienböck disease before. The wrist range of motion was: 45° on dorsiflexion and 20° on flexion. DRF has occurred at 3 years after PRC. The fracture type was extra-articular fracture. Osteosynthesis was performed using a volar locking plate. No postoperative complication developed, the Mayo score was excellent at 6 months after surgery, and the daily living activity level recovered to that before injury. DISCUSSION: Since the wrist range of motion decreased and the lunate fitted into the joint surface after PRC, making the forearm join with the hand like a single structure, pressure may have been loaded on the weak distal end of the radius from the dorsal side, causing volar displacement and fracture. CONCLUSION: The pressure distribution and range of motion of the radiocarpal joint after PRC are different from those of a normal joint, and the mechanism of fracture also changes due to PRC.

Treatment strategy for distal radius fractures with ipsilateral arteriovenous shunts.

PURPOSE: To describe our management of 3 patients with chronic renal failure who sustained distal radius fractures in limbs containing dialysis shunts. METHODS: The 3 patients were 48-61 years old, and 2 of them were men. Because the injured limbs contained arteriovenous shunts, tourniquets were not used. Volar locking plate fixation was applied via the Henry approach. The patients' grip strength; visual analog scale scores; Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) scores; modified Mayo scores; and their range of wrist joint motion were assessed during the final follow-up examination. In addition, complications and the presence/absence of dysfunction of the forearm shunt were also investigated. RESULTS: The mean duration of the postoperative follow-up period was 9 months (range, 7-10 mo), and the subjects' mean wrist motion values were 75°, 79°, 78°, and 87° during flexion, extension, pronation, and supination, respectively. Grip strength on the affected side as a percentage of that seen on the healthy side ranged from 71% to 90%. The patients' visual analog scale; QuickDASH; and modified Mayo scores were all excellent, and bone union was achieved in all 3 cases. No shunt dysfunction or skin soft tissue complications were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Volar locking plate fixation via the Henry approach might be useful for treating distal radius fractures in cases in which an arteriovenous shunt is present in the same limb. Shunt dysfunction and hemorrhaging are of concern during open surgery, but these were not issues in our patients. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Irreducible dislocation of the thumb interphalangeal joint due to displaced flexor pollicis longus tendon: case report and new reduction technique.

Dislocation of the thumb interphalangeal (IP) joint is uncommon because of the inherent stability of the joint. Cases in which reduction was blocked by the volar plate, the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendon, the sesamoid bone, and an osteochondral fragment have been described in the literature. This article reports a case of closed thumb IP joint dislocation caused by the displacement of the FPL tendon. A new percutaneous reduction technique for this injury will also be presented. A 63-year-old woman presented to the emergency room with an obvious thumb deformity. Radiographs confirmed dorsal dislocation of the thumb IP joint without associated fracture. Closed reduction was not successful. Percutaneous reduction was performed under locoregional anesthesia, because the dislocation was due to an FPL tendon that had displaced dorsally and radially to the proximal phalanx. After reduction, Kirschner wire fixation was not needed, but IP joint immobilization with a splint was required for 3 weeks. Postoperatively, there were no complications in soft tissues and the operative scar was almost unrecognizable. This technique enables a mini-invasive reduction by operating percutaneously on the FPL. In addition, unlike with a volar zigzag approach, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of postoperative adhesion of the flexor tendon. This new minimally invasive reduction technique is useful for irreducible dislocation of the thumb IP joint due to a displaced FPL tendon.

Pulmonary thromboembolism after operation for bilateral open distal radius fractures: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary thromboembolism after upper extremity operation is rare. We report a patient with thromboembolism after debridement open reduction and internal fixation for bilateral open distal radius fractures. CASE PRESENTATION: The Japanese patient was an 80-year-old previously healthy female who was able to walk on her own. She fell down and was taken to our hospital. She was diagnosed with bilateral open distal radius fractures and we performed debridement open reduction and internal fixation on the same day. Although she could not walk and was depressed, she was discharged on the ninth postoperative day. However, on the eleventh postoperative day, she returned to our emergency department with complaints of dyspnea and cold sweat. Her serum D-dimer level was 19.0 µg/dl, troponin T was positive, and urgent contrast computed tomography scan of her thorax revealed thrombosis in the bilateral main pulmonary artery. She was diagnosed with pulmonary thromboembolism and admitted to our hospital again. On the second admission, although she had breathing problems, she did not require a respirator. Oxygen was supplied as well as anticoagulants. On the seventh day after being diagnosed with embolism, thrombosis in the bilateral main pulmonary arteries had disappeared. CONCLUSION: The patient did not have any "strong" risk factors as reported in the Japanese Orthopedic Association Clinical Practice Guideline on the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Treatments. In general, upper extremity operation carries a low risk for pulmonary thromboembolism. For patients with decreased activity of daily living and depression, we should consider postponing discharge and performing rehabilitation until activity of daily living is improved.

Ulnar Para-metacarpal Flap for Recurrence of Dupuytren's Disease with Skin Ulcer: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: In a patient with recurrent Dupuytren's disease, we performed dermofasciectomy including the diseased skin and soft tissue, and covered the soft tissue defect using an ulnar parametacarpal flap. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old man had undergone invasive aponeurectomy for Dupuytren's contracture of the right 5th finger 3 years before, but showed recurrence about 1 year after surgery. Since a skin ulcer was noted at the site of recurrence, dermofasciectomy including the scarred skin was performed on the palmar side of the 5th finger, and the skin defect was covered with an ulnar parametacarpal flap. No recurrence has been noted for the 6 months since the surgery. CONCLUSION: The ulnar parametacarpal flap, in which the vascular pedicle is easy to identify, is useful for covering a skin defect on the palmar side of the 5th finger if used as an island flap. However, a disadvantage of this flap is that it is likely to develop congestion due to poor venous return.