Total arthrodesis for non-rheumatoid wrists: Outcomes at 5 and 20years of follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Total wrist arthrodesis (TWA) aims to obtain a painless wrist with a strong grip. Its main disadvantage is compromised mobility and for many authors it remains a rescue intervention. However, after one or more palliative interventions, TWA confers poorer results. The objective of our study was to evaluate the medium-term results of TWA, and their long-term stability. HYPOTHESIS: Our hypothesis was that the results are reliable and persistent for pain and strength, without repercussions to other joints. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a single-center consecutive series of TWA performed with a dedicated plate, excluding rheumatoid wrists, evaluated at 5.4 and 21.1years of follow-up. RESULTS: Thirty wrists were assessed at the first review and 17 reassessed at the last follow-up. At the mean follow-up of 5.4years, 93% of patients considered themselves "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the TWA surgery. No infectious complications occurred. At the mean follow-up of 21.1years, all were "very satisfied" or "satisfied" and 88% of them considered their result stable or improved compared to the first revision. The average VAS had gone from 8.4/10 preoperatively to 1.8/10 at the first evaluation and to 0.3/10 at the last follow-up. Except for a patient with both wrists operated on for whom comparison was not possible, the strength of the operated side was on average 89.7% of that of the contralateral side (from 45% to 150%). The mean Quick DASH score was 30.3 (4.5 to 61.4) and the mean PRWE score was 32.5 (1 to 77). DISCUSSION: TWA using a plate provides excellent results for both pain control and strength restoration. The clinical results remain stable over time, and arthrodesis at more than 20years of follow-up does not seem to have any impact on the other joints of the upper limb. After wrist surgery, the main complaint of patients is the limited range of motion, but the main cause of dissatisfaction is persistent pain. Arthrodesis can be performed first-line in case of questionable indication of partial arthrodesis on a stiff wrist because the results of TWA are better in the absence of a surgical history. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective study.

Outcomes of 53 thoracic outlet syndrome cases with confirmed neurological deficit.

INTRODUCTION: Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndromes (TOS) are dominated by the nonspecific forms. This study focuses only on the rarer true forms related to proximal nerve compression in the thoracic outlet, with the presence of motor (atrophy of the hand's intrinsic muscles) and/or sensory (hypoesthesia in the territory of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve) deficits. The objectives of this study were to define the clinical characteristics, anatomical causes and surgical results of this condition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Single-center retrospective study of 53 consecutive cases in 50 patients with an objective clinical deficit confirmed by nerve conduction studies. The population consisted of 47 adults and 3 children, 9 males and 41 females, with a mean age of 39 years (9-80 years), diagnosed between July 1994 and December 2019. An objective motor deficit was present in 50 cases, with the remaining 3 having a sensory deficit only. Forty cases underwent surgery, most often via the supraclavicular approach, while 13 cases did not undergo surgery because their deficit was longstanding and non-progressive. RESULTS: One operated patient was lost in follow-up. An analysis of the medical records of 18 cases, including 15 operated cases found complete recovery in 4 cases, significant improvement in 9 cases and small improvement in 2 cases at a mean follow-up of 53 months (1-162 months). Thirty-four cases were reviewed in person, including 24 operated cases and evaluated with a mean follow-up of 135 months (36-284 months): the pain had disappeared in 21 cases, thenar atrophy persisted in 17 cases, which was associated with a claw-hand deformity in 3 cases, while 2 cases had an isolated claw-hand deformity. The patients were very satisfied with the procedure in 15 cases and satisfied in 9 cases. They evaluated the benefit of surgery at 87% and their upper limb function increased from 38% (10-60%) preoperatively to 77% (60-100%) at the review. CONCLUSION: Few studies in the literature have focused on true neurogenic TOS cases. The treatment is surgical in progressive cases; an anatomical anomaly is always present. Surgical treatment eliminates the pain and helps to stabilize or even partially resolve the deficit. Despite a moderate objective gain, the patients' feeling of functional improvement is important with a high satisfaction rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective.

Arthroscopic release of the pectoralis minor tendon as an adjunct to acromioplasty in the treatment of subacromial syndrome associated with scapular dyskinesia.

INTRODUCTION: One of the causes of scapular dyskinesia is the retraction of the pectoralis minor muscle. It can be the cause of shoulder pain associated with increased anterior tilt and internal rotation of the shoulder. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic release of the pectoralis minor tendon is effective for shoulder pain, linked to a correction of dyskinesia, resulting in the early disappearance of scapulalgia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective, monocentric, single-surgeon study on a continuous series of patients with symptomatic shoulder pain, related to subacromial impingement associated with scapular dyskinesia. The series underwent arthroscopic tenotomies of the pectoralis minor between January 2015 and September 2018. Fifty-eight releases were performed to 57 patients (22 males, 35 females), with a mean age of 51.4 years (29-66 years). In all cases, they presented pain on palpation of the upper bundle of the trapezius muscle, and on palpation of the coracoid insertion of the pectoralis minor. RESULTS: Preoperatively, there were 30 cases of stage 1 scapular dyskinesia and 28 cases of stage 2, with a scapular index measured at 53.84 (41.66-65.78), while the constant score was 41.46 (19-59). Upper trapezius pain was present in 87.7% of cases. The 57 patients were clinically assessed, with a mean follow-up of 8.9 months (6-24 months). Post-operatively, 15 cases (25.8%) of scapulalgia persisted at 2 months of follow-up, while upper trapezius pain was present in only 22.4%. Scapular dyskinesia was no longer present at 2 months in patients without scapulalgia. The scapular index was measured at 60.42 (52.38-70.96), and the constant score at last follow-up was 76.36 (42-92). CONCLUSION: Tenotomy of the pectoralis minor improves painful symptomatology and scapular dyskinesia, in cases of subacromial syndrome with retraction of the pectoralis minor muscle. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective study.

Denervation of the proximal interphalangeal joint: Results from 54 cases in 42 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Arthropathy of the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) is common. Joint denervation is a symptomatic treatment. It relieves pain by cutting the afferent nerve branches without altering joint biomechanics, and is indicated in painful arthropathy with conserved range of motion. The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical outcome in PIP denervation and the sustainability of results. HYPOTHESIS: Denervation is an effective intervention in painful PIP arthropathy with functional range of motion, showing lasting benefit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A single-center retrospective study included all patients with painful PIP arthropathy with functional range of motion treated by denervation between January 2005 and September 2018 and evaluated by an independent examiner. Joint stiffness was an exclusion criterion. 54 consecutive denervation procedures were performed in 42 patients (41 women, 1 man) with a mean age of 66.5 years (range, 44-78 years). There were 11 inflammatory and 43 degenerative arthropathies. RESULTS: The 42 patients were evaluated in consultation or contacted by telephone, with a mean follow-up of 51 months (range, 4-168 months). Mean VAS pain score was 7.5/10 (range, 5-10) before the procedure and 1.1/10 (range, 0-8) at last follow-up. Patients considered their joint cured or improved in 78% of cases whatever the etiology (42 cases/54), and in 86% of cases of degenerative arthropathy (37 cases/43). 32 patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the intervention (76% of cases). Active range of motion was improved in 16 cases, unchanged in 33 and impaired in 5. There were 7 denervation failures, which led to surgical treatment by fusion (2 cases) or joint replacement (5 cases); 5 of these cases concerned arthropathy of inflammatory origin. CONCLUSION: Denervation is an effective treatment for painful PIP osteoarthritis, providing lasting pain relief while conserving range of motion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV; retrospective study.