Calcaneal fractures in children. Long-term results of treatment.

The late results of treatment of calcaneal fractures in 17 children (19 fractures) were reviewed at a mean of 16.8 years after injury. With the exception of one patient, all fractures had been treated conservatively. At follow-up there were few complaints. All but two patients had full or slightly reduced mobility of the subtalar joint and unrestricted foot function, including the ability to walk comfortably on uneven surfaces. Minor radiological abnormalities of the hindfoot were common; there were two cases of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Clinical scoring of the ankle and hindfoot using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society rating system averaged 96.2 points. The results suggest that up to 16.8 years after injury almost all children achieve excellent long-term functional results with conservative treatment of fractures of the os calcis. Open management may only be appropriate for adolescents with severe displacements.

Structural disorders at the insertion of the supraspinatus tendon. Relation to tensile strength.

We examined macroscopically and microscopically 55 cadaver rotator-cuff tendons attached to their humeral heads to determine the distance between the edge of the articular cartilage and the tendon insertion of the supraspinatus (the width of the sulcus) and the score of regressive changes at the sulcus. In 33 specimens we measured the tensile strength. The width of the sulcus was correlated with the score of regressive changes and with the ultimate tensile strength of the supraspinatus tendon. The width of the sulcus correlated positively with the score of regressive changes (r = 0.66, p < 0.0001), but there was a negative correlation between the latter and the ultimate tensile strength (r = -0.81, p = 0.001) and between the width of the sulcus and the ultimate tensile strength (r = -0.74, p = 0.004). We believe that the width of the sulcus is a simple and useful clinical indicator of the integrity and the tensile strength of the supraspinatus tendon.

Traumatic dislocations of the lesser toes.

Traumatic dislocations of lesser metatarsophalangeal joints (DLMTPJ) and lesser interphalangeal joints (DLIPJ) are very uncommon. A retrospective analysis of 31 cases and of the 16 reported cases was conducted to clarify our understanding of the pathomechanics, the role of associated injuries, recommended treatment, and outcome. Hyperextension with axial loading produces the injuries. Ipsilateral foot fractures or dislocations often occur and thus may compromise the outcome. Thirty percent of DLMTPJ and virtually all DLIPJ require open reduction; most often, the plantar plate prevents closed treatment of either DLMTPJ or DLIPJ. At follow-up, treated isolated DLMTPJ have few or no complaints; disability persists in patients who suffered concomitant displaced ipsilateral midfoot or forefoot fractures or dislocations. Neglected DLMTPJ remain symptomatic. All reduced DLIPJ are pain free.

"Bursal reactions" in rotator cuff tearing, the impingement syndrome, and calcifying tendinitis.

Subacromial bursal specimens from 63 patients undergoing surgery for rotator cuff tearing (n = 43), the impingement syndrome (n = 14), and calcifying tendinitis n = 6) were studied to characterize the reactions that develop at the tendinopathy "lesional" sites. Intensity of the bursal reactions and production of type III collagen vary considerably, with the highest incidence of both seen in patients with rotator cuff tears. The intensity of bursal reactions correlated with the degree of formation of perivascular new collagen and type III collagen expression. In 22 of the 63 patients the bursal reaction distant to the tendon lesion was also studied. It was minimal and did not correlate to the lesional bursal findings. A strong correlation, however, existed between surgical appearance and histologic grading. The term "localized bursal reaction" as opposed to bursitis more correctly describes bursal involvement. Resection of bursal tissues should be limited to the lesional tissue that interferes with subacromial motion.

Degeneration at the insertion weakens the tensile strength of the supraspinatus tendon: a comparative mechanical and histologic study of the bone-tendon complex.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the relationship between the degree of degeneration at the supraspinatus insertion, the tensile strength, and the site of failure of this tendon. Thirty-three fresh cadaveric shoulders (average age: 62 years; range: 39-83 years) were examined. A tensile load to failure was applied at a constant crosshead speed of 25.4 mm/min to a 10 mm wide strip of the supraspinatus tendon that remained attached to the bone. Preexisting degenerative changes at the insertion were assessed and scored histologically and compared with the ultimate tensile stress. Twenty tendons failed at the insertion (the insertion group), and 11 failed in the midsubstance (the midsubstance group). The histologic score of degeneration for the insertion group was significantly higher than that for the midsubstance group (p = 0.0026). There was a negative correlation between the ultimate tensile stress at the insertion and the degeneration score for the insertion group (r = -0.60; p = 0.013). Histologic observations revealed that disruptions of tendon fibers were located mostly in the articular half of the tendon and that they enlarged during mechanical testing in 90% of the specimens of the insertion group. It seems that degenerative changes at the supraspinatus insertion reduce the tensile strength of the tendon and constitute a primary pathogenetic factor of rotator cuff tear.

Pathomechanics of complex dislocations of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

Because only 10 complex dislocations of the first metatarsophalangeal joint have been reported to date, a retrospective review was initiated to study the pathomechanics of 11 new cases (9 patients) and to report on the clinical and functional outcomes. Concomitant ipsilateral injuries were frequent: 6 tarsometatarsal joint partial disruptions and 8 cases with multiple midfoot or forefoot fractures or dislocations occurred. Clinical and radiographic assessments suggested that forefoot hyperextension combined with axial loading of the foot in a heel to toe or toe to heel direction produced all. Six cases required open reductions (5 were compound), and 5 cases were managed by closed methods. Associated tarsometatarsal joint disruptions facilitated closed management. The most common complaints at followup assessment (average, 7 years) were sensitive plantar wounds, partial joint ankylosis, and sesamoid sensitivity. All but 1 patient resumed the same or modified work. The data in this series suggest that most complex dislocations of the first metatarsophalangeal joint probably occur frequently with a concurrent tarsometatarsal joint sprain or disruption, and that the primary mechanism of injury is that of axial loading of the foot causing midfoot hyperflexion and forefoot hyperextension. Contrary to current opinion, not all complex dislocations of the first metatarsophalangeal joint are resistant to closed management.

The late results of tarsometatarsal joint injuries.

The late results of tarsometatarsal injuries in 33 patients have been reviewed. The average follow-up period was 15 years (range 11 to 20 years). Methods of treatment included cast immobilisation, and closed or open reduction with or without internal fixation. All patients noted diminishing symptoms after injury and all but six returned to their former occupation. Neither the initial fracture type nor the treatment had any apparent bearing on subsequent function; nor was there any correlation between radiographic assessment of the injury and the patient's symptoms.

Ultrastructure of the fibrous tissue surrounding internal fixation devices.

The possible bursal nature of the fibrous tissue that develops like a capsule over internal fixation devices was studied ultrastructurally in 13 human and four canine cases. In both species, the basic structural pattern was similar. The capsule had two distinct zones. The superficial compact zone appeared as a pseudomembrane, and consisted of elongated fibrocytes arranged transversely in a collagenous and microfilamentous matrix. In the deep zone, the cytoplasm and its constituents of connective tissue cells varied from meager to abundant. The structural organization of the capsule as well as its cellular characteristics did not conform to the specificities of an adventitious bursa. The capsular tissue did not appear to be affected by such host factors as age; implant alloy composition; the type of the underlying bone or its abnormalities; duration of implantation, or superficial or deep location of the metal device. Inflammation rarely occurred in the capsular soft tissue, including those cases where pain developed over the implants following an uneventful bone union. Because metal implants do not induce formation of adventitious bursa, pain over an uncomplicated implant is not likely to be due to a bursitis.

Acquired spondylolysis after spinal fusion.

Spondylolysis occurring after a spinal fusion is considered to result from operative damage to the pars interarticularis on both sides. Fourteen cases are reported, and compared with the 23 cases which have previously been published. The defects are usually recognised within five years of fusion, and usually occur immediately above the fusion mass. Other contributory causes may be: fatigue fracture from concentration of stress; damage and altered function of the posterior ligament complex; and degenerative disc disease immediately above or below the fusion. Fusion technique is critical, since virtually all cases occurred after posterior interlaminar fusions. This complication is easily overlooked in patients with recurrent back pain after an originally successful posterior spinal fusion.

A clinical study of quazepam in hospitalized patients with insomnia.

The efficacy of quazepam (Sch-16134) 15 mg capsules as a hypnotic has been compared with that of placebo in a 9-day study, using a parallel-group design. The physician's global evaluation numerically favoured quazepam 63% (nineteen of thirty) over placebo 50% (fifteen of thirty). Furthermore, it demonstrated greater improvement in Hypnotic Activity Index and Sleep Quality Index from baseline scores, and caused no adverse reactions.