Three-dimensional motion analysis of pre- and postoperative thumb movement in trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis-Comparison of arthrodesis and trapeziectomy with suspensionplasty.

Trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMC-OA) reduces the range of motion (ROM) of the thumb. However, the kinematic change achieved through surgical treatment remains unclear. Therefore, to quantify the kinematic change following TMC-OA surgery, we performed a three-dimensional motion analysis of the thumb using an optical motion capture system preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively in 23 patients with TMC-OA scheduled for arthrodesis (AD) or trapeziectomy with suspensionplasty (TS). Eighteen hands of nine healthy volunteers were also included as controls. Both procedures improved postoperative pain and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores, and AD increased pinch strength. The ROM of the base of the thumb was preserved in AD, which was thought to be due to the appearance of compensatory movements of adjacent joints even if the ROM of the TMC joint was lost. TS did not improve ROM. Quantifying thumb kinematic changes following TMC-OA surgery can improve our understanding of TMC-OA treatment and help select surgical procedures and postoperative assessment.

Myelin-Specific microRNA-23a/b Cluster Deletion Inhibits Myelination in the Central Nervous System during Postnatal Growth and Aging.

Microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) comprising miR-23a/b clusters, specifically miR-23a and miR-27a, are recognized for their divergent roles in myelination within the central nervous system. However, cluster-specific miRNA functions remain controversial as miRNAs within the same cluster have been suggested to function complementarily. This study aims to clarify the role of miR-23a/b clusters in myelination using mice with a miR-23a/b cluster deletion (KO mice), specifically in myelin expressing proteolipid protein (PLP). Inducible conditional KO mice were generated by crossing miR-23a/b clusterflox/flox mice with PlpCre-ERT2 mice; the offspring were injected with tamoxifen at 10 days or 10 weeks of age to induce a myelin-specific miR-23a/b cluster deletion. Evaluation was performed at 10 weeks or 12 months of age and compared with control mice that were not treated with tamoxifen. KO mice exhibit impaired motor function and hypoplastic myelin sheaths in the brain and spinal cord at 10 weeks and 12 months of age. Simultaneously, significant decreases in myelin basic protein (MBP) and PLP expression occur in KO mice. The percentages of oligodendrocyte precursors and mature oligodendrocytes are consistent between the KO and control mice. However, the proportion of oligodendrocytes expressing MBP is significantly lower in KO mice. Moreover, changes in protein expression occur in KO mice, with increased leucine zipper-like transcriptional regulator 1 expression, decreased R-RAS expression, and decreased phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases. These findings highlight the significant influence of miR-23a/b clusters on myelination during postnatal growth and aging.

On-Top Osteotomy of the Phalanx Base Combined With Modified Bilhaut: Cloquet Procedure for Atypical Radial Polydactyly.

In this report, we present the combination of on-top plasty with a modified Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure for treating atypical radial polydactyly with duplication at the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint and triphalangism of the radial and ulnar phalanges, hypoplastic middle phalanx of the radial thumb, and hypoplastic phalanx base of the ulnar thumb. To preserve the stable MP and interphalangeal joints of the radial and ulnar thumbs, respectively, on-top plasty involved osteotomizing the middle phalanx and transferring the distal end of the middle phalanx of the ulnar finger to the phalanx base of the radial thumb. A modified Bilhaut-Cloquet procedure was used to combine the tips and nails of both thumbs. Twelve months postoperatively, good joint alignment and thumb tip appearance were achieved. On-top plasties effectively combined the desirable parts of both thumbs. The modified Bilhaut-Cloquet technique is particularly well-suited for atypical cases, such as the present case.

Bacille Calmette-Guérin Vaccine-Induced Tuberculous Elbow Osteomyelitis in an Infant: A Case Report.

CASE: We report a case of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine-induced osteomyelitis of the distal end of the right humerus in a 1-year and 8-month-old girl. The patient was treated with debridement and a 12-month antituberculosis drug. After 3 years of follow-up, no growth disturbances or sequelae were observed. CONCLUSION: BCG osteomyelitis is difficult to diagnose because of its rarity. It is important to suspect BCG osteomyelitis based on symptoms and blood tests and to perform PCR testing. Long-term follow-up after treatment is necessary to monitor for recurrence and avoid growth disturbances until epiphyseal line closure occurs.

Vascularized Origami Medial Femoral Condyle Flap for Finger Joint Reconstruction.

SUMMARY: Total finger joint reconstruction is challenging. Vascularized toe joint transfer is currently used for reconstruction, but it is difficult to perform, fails to achieve maximal joint flexibility, and is associated with donor-site complications. As an alternative, the authors developed a vascularized medial femoral condyle flap technique, wherein the vascularized corticoperiosteum is shaped via origami, with the donor tissue folded to fit the recipient site. In this article, the authors describe the use of this method for reconstruction of interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints with a reduced range of motion. The mean age of the patients (three men and four women) was 51 years (range, 36 to 68 years), and the mean follow-up period was 3 years 1 month (range, 4 months to 5 years). In the reconstructed joints, the mean range of motion; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score; and pinch strength of the unaffected side were 55 degrees (range, 24 to 90 degrees), 2.3 (range, 0 to 6), and 98% (range, 70% to 38%), respectively. No donor-site morbidities were observed. Radiography and computed tomography scans revealed joint-like grafted tissue remodeling. The study findings suggest that the origami medial femoral condyle flap is useful for functional finger joint reconstruction. The procedure requires fabrication before grafting, but tissue harvest is relatively easy.

Refracture of a Regenerated Hook of Hamate in a Professional Baseball Player: A Case Report.

Hook of hamate fracture occurs in baseball players during bat swing. These fractures are usually treated by excision of the fracture fragment and the players can return to the game without delay. We report a professional baseball player who presented with a hook of hamate fracture. He gave history of undergoing excision of the hook 4 years earlier for a fracture of the hook. He underwent re-excision of the regenerated hook and was asymptomatic at his final follow-up. Level of Evidence: Level V (Therapeutic).

A Comparison of the Outcomes of Fiber-Wire® versus Stainless Steel Wire in Transosseous Wiring for Intra-Articular Fractures of the Distal Interphalangeal Joint.

Background: Different surgical techniques have been described for the treatment of intra-articular fractures involving extensor tendon insertion of the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ), including acute and chronic bony mallet injuries. We have been using transosseous stainless-steel wire (SSW) in select patients. In 2015, we started using a non-absorbable polyester suture (2-0 Fiber-Wire®, Arthrex, Naples, FL, USA) instead of SSWs. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of SSW and Fiber-Wire® (FBW) in transosseous wiring for intra-articular fractures of the DIPJ. Methods: This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent fixation of intra-articular fractures, including extensor tendon insertion of the DIPJ using a transosseous wiring technique, in the period from 2013 to 2018. SSW was used in the period from 2013 to 2014, and FBW was used from 2015 to 2018. Outcomes with regard to age, gender, time to union, range of motion at the DIPJ and complications were recorded and compared between the SSW and FBW groups. Results: Nine patients (mean age: 38 years) underwent fixation with SSW and 10 patients (mean age: 31 years) with FBW. The operative time was significantly lower in the FBW group, and all the fractures united. There were no statistically significant differences between both groups with regard to time to union or range of motion at the DIPJ. Similar complication rates were observed in both groups. Conclusions: The use of FBW in transosseous wiring for intra-articular fractures of the DIPJ can reduce operative time and provide functional results similar to that of SSWs. It can be considered as an alternative fixation technique for difficult intra-articular comminuted fractures of the DIPJ, including acute and chronic bony mallet injuries with joint subluxation. Level of Evidence: Level III (Therapeutic).

Evaluation of the flexion gap with a distal femoral trial component in posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty.

PURPOSE: A distal femoral trial component was manufactured, and flexion gap size and inclination were evaluated with or without the distal femoral trial component in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the distal femoral trial component on flexion gap size and joint inclination in posterior-stabilized (PS)-TKA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 84 patients with medial osteoarthritis who underwent mobile-bearing PS-TKA using modified gap techniques were included in this retrospective study. The flexion gap size and inclination before and after setting the distal femoral trial component were evaluated and compared with the final gap size and inclination. RESULTS: The joint gap size and inclination were significantly lower in those with than in those without the distal femoral trial component (P = 0.005, P < 0.001). The final gap size and inclination were similar to the gap size and inclination with the distal trial component (P = 0.468, P = 0.158). CONCLUSIONS: The joint gap size and medial tension in PS-TKA were significantly reduced after setting the distal femoral trial component. The flexion gap measured using the distal femoral trial component was similar to that when the final trial component was set. To more accurately perform the gap technique TKA, the flexion gap should be measured using the distal femoral trial component.

Accuracy of total knee arthroplasty using the modified gap technique based on the bone gap: an evaluation of the bone gap with a distal femoral trial component.

BACKGROUND: In total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using the modified gap technique, the soft-tissue balance is measured after osteotomy of the distal femur and proximal tibia (conventional bone gap). However, after osteotomy, the flexion gap size during 90° knee flexion may be larger than that observed after implantation. The tension of the lateral compartment during 90° flexion may also be reduced after osteotomy of the distal femur. We manufactured a distal femoral trial component to reproduce the condition after implantation and prior to posterior condyle osteotomy. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the trial component on the flexion gap. METHODS: This prospective study included 21 consecutive patients aged 78 years with medial osteoarthritis who underwent cruciate-retaining TKA between February 2017 and March 2018. The postoperative flexion gap size and inclination during 90° flexion were compared between cases with and without the trial component. RESULTS: The mean joint gap size with the trial component (13.4 ± 0.80 mm) was significantly smaller than that without the trial component (14.7 ± 0.84 mm). The mean gap inclination angle with the trial component (3.7° ± 0.62°) was significantly smaller than that without the trial component (5.5° ± 0.78°). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the joint gap size and medial tension were significantly reduced after the trial component had been set. Accurate measurement of the soft-tissue balance is an important factor in the modified gap technique, and this method using a distal femoral trial component can offer better outcomes than those achieved with conventional methods.