Association between three-dimensional motion analysis of the thumb and clinical parameters in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.

We analysed the relationship between motor dysfunction of the thumb and the clinical parameters of carpal tunnel syndrome using three-dimensional motion analysis. This single-centred, prospective study included 65 hands in 51 patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome and 30 healthy hands. Three-dimensional thumb kinematics were acquired using a motion capture system with a retroreflective surface-based marker method. The trajectory area of thumb tip, adduction and abduction of the trapeziometacarpal joints and metacarpophalangeal joints were correlated with the clinical parameters. There was no significant correlation between the results of motion analysis values and patient-reported outcomes measures. Thumb movement disorder associated with carpal tunnel syndrome affected specific activities of daily living based on the pinching movements, such as 'writing' and 'buttoning clothes' among the patient-reported outcome measure items.Level of evidence: III.

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.

Bone-based versus soft-tissue free flaps in lower extremity reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Most lower extremity defects and minor bone defect wounds requiring a free flap are treatable with soft-tissue flaps, whereas large bone defect wounds are treated with bone-based flaps. This study aimed to compare bone-based and soft-tissue-free flaps in terms of operative procedures and postoperative complications, including long-term outcomes of lower extremity reconstruction. METHODS: This two-center retrospective cohort study collected data from all lower-extremity reconstructions with free flaps performed between March 2014 and February 2022; the level of evidence is considered to be therapeutic level III. We investigated the operative procedure and postoperative complications classified as being related to either bone-based or soft-tissue flaps. The data were further classified into the trauma and non-trauma groups and the long-term postoperative outcomes of patients who were followed up for ≥12 months were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 122 free flaps were included: 29 bone-based flaps (1 scapular and 28 fibular flaps) and 93 soft-tissue flaps (22 muscle-based and 71 fasciocutaneous flaps). There was no significant difference in postoperative complications, including long-term outcomes, between the free flap types, regardless of etiology. Vein grafts were used more often for bone-based flaps than for soft-tissue flaps (20.7% vs. 7.5%; p = 0.045). The donor veins of bone-based flaps were more often anastomosed to superficial veins than were those of soft-tissue flaps (37.9% vs. 10.8%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Using bone-based free flaps resulted in no significant differences in postoperative complications, including long-term outcomes, despite involving more complicated operative procedures than soft-tissue flaps. Thus, the use of vein grafts and anastomosis to the superficial venous system of the vascularized fibula graft may help avoid flap-related complications in bone-based free flaps.

Risk assessment in delayed free flap reconstruction for severe lower extremity trauma.

PURPOSE: This study aims to identify serum biomarkers that contribute to vascular thrombosis and complete flap failure in delayed reconstruction with free flaps, as well as to develop a scoring system of risk assessment including these biomarkers. METHODS: A retrospective review of the database was conducted for lower extremity open fractures reconstructed between 7 and 90 days from injury, from March 2014 to February 2022. We investigated changes in platelet count (PLT), D-dimer, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and C-reactive protein (CRP) and then, developed a risk assessment system including these biomarkers as risk factors. RESULTS: A total of 62 free flaps were enrolled, and vascular thrombosis occurred in 14 flaps (22.6%), 9 of which (14.5%) developed complete flap failure. The risk assessment score was set to a maximum of 6 points for 6 items: age ≤ 40 years, time from injury to coverage ≥ 14 days, zone of injury from middle to distal leg, D-dimer on the day of injury ≥ 60 µg/mL, maximum value of CPK ≥ 10,000 U/L, and maximum value of CRP ≥ 25 mg/dL. The best cutoff score was 3 in the vascular thrombosis model (sensitivity: 0.79, specificity: 0.77) and 4 in the complete flap failure model (sensitivity: 0.78, specificity: 0.92). CONCLUSIONS: Our risk assessment system showed that the risk of vascular thrombosis was high at ≥ 3 points and that of complete flap failure was high at ≥ 4 points. Significantly, elevated levels of D-dimer, CPK, and CRP require more caution during reconstruction using free flaps.

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).

Point-of-care ultrasound in musculoskeletal field.

The musculoskeletal field is relatively new in point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), a modality that has been gaining significance with the evolution of ultrasound (US) equipment and high-frequency probes. Images have become progressively clearer over the past decade, making it possible to diagnose many pathological conditions without exposure to radiation. Ultrasonography reveals many soft tissue pathologies that cannot be visualized using plain radiographs, which have historically been the first choice for the evaluation of musculoskeletal disorders. US saves money and time compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although it is difficult to diagnose a disorder inside bone, its surface can be visualized very clearly, and it is also possible to visualize cartilage. Furthermore, with POCUS, it is possible to confirm a disorder and the continuity of the fibrous structures of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. In addition, the understanding of pathological conditions of motor disturbances, such as nerve or muscle/tendon injury, nerve paralysis, adhesions of the tendons, and joint instability, is deepened by observing the movement of these structures. Peripheral nerves, even small branches, can be visualized, and pathological conditions can be pinpointed by observing the nerve morphology, continuity, and relationship with the surrounding tissues. Children can be examined in a safe, relaxed environment, without leaving their parents. In addition, US is significantly different from other modalities in that it can be used for both diagnosis and treatment. Being able to visualize target sites improves safety and route accuracy of needle insertion for injection or puncture. Musculoskeletal POCUS is indispensable in routine medical care and is a technique that medical residents should acquire.

Analysis of Anastomotic Venous Factors in Traumatic Lower Extremity Injuries Reconstructed by Free Flap.

Background Venous thrombosis has been shown to be the most frequent cause of free flap failure in traumatic lower extremity injuries. However, the roles of various anastomotic venous factors, including venous anastomosis (end-to-end (ETE) or end-to-side (ETS)), venous outflow (one vein or two veins), and recipient venous selection (deep or superficial vein), remain unclear. This retrospective study aims to investigate factors contributing to microvascular complications in patients with lower extremity Gustilo type IIIB/IIIC injuries reconstructed by free flap with a focus on the three abovementioned venous factors. Methods A total of 44 flap treatment outcomes of 41 patients with these injuries from 2015 to 2020 were assessed according to the three venous factors (type of anastomosis, venous outflow, and vein selection). Results The average patient age was 52 years, with the majority (75.6%) being male. Eight patients (18.2%) returned to the operating room due to venous thrombosis, and five patients (11.4%) experienced total flap failure. The following factors were suspected to have contributed to venous thrombosis: vein size mismatch (n = 2) and recipient vein insufficiency possibly due to post-traumatic vessel disease (PTVD) (n = 6). End-to-side (ETS) anastomoses showed lower venous thrombosis rates than end-to-end (ETE) anastomoses (6.3% versus 25%, p = 0.22), two-vein outflows had lower rates than one (8.3% versus 30%, p = 0.07), and deep veins had the lowest thrombosis rates (7.7%), whereas superficial veins had the highest (38.5%). Conclusion The key venous factors in preventing venous thrombosis include using as many two-vein ETS anastomoses as possible to deep recipient veins.

Arthroscopic mobilization for metacarpophalangeal joint extension contracture.

BACKGROUND: As a first-line surgical treatment for treating metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint extension contractures, mobilization surgery with open dorsal approach has been indicated. However, this procedure has the possibility to result in postoperative recurrence over the course of time because its invasive open dorsal approach has a negative impact on the postoperative gliding of the extensor mechanism. We report the preliminarily outcomes of patients who underwent a minimally invasive arthroscopic mobilization to alter and enhance their existing surgical strategy in place of MCP joint extension contractures. METHODS: This retrospective study included seven patients with 13 MCP joint extension contractures who had received an arthroscopic release of the bilateral collateral ligament and/or dorsal capsule of affected MCP joint. The extension contractures were caused by long-time immobilization with inadequate extended position of the MCP joint after either hand and wrist fractures, extensor tendon injury, or peripheral nerve palsy. All patients received sufficient exercise under the supervision of a physical therapist for more than 3 months before surgery. However, physical therapy did not improve the MCP joint extension contractures. We measured the active and passive flexion angles preoperatively at 1 and 6 months after surgery. The passive flexion angle was also measured after arthroscopic mobilization on the operation table. Surgery-related complications regarding nerve, vessel, skin, and tendon were also assessed. RESULTS: In all patients, significant improvements were observed in both the active and passive flexion angles 1 month after surgery, and continued to improve 6 months after surgery. Two out of 13 metacarpophalangeal joints developed blisters on the dorsal side of the joint, but conservatively recovered. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the positive improvements observed in our patients, we conclude that this minimally invasive arthroscopic technique has the potential to alter and enhance the surgical treatment strategy for MCP joint extension contractures.

Three-dimensional analysis of thumb motion recovery after carpal tunnel release.

This study quantified recovery of thumb motion in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome after carpal tunnel release using three-dimensional motion analysis with a retroreflective surface-based marker method. Eighteen hands from 14 patients who underwent carpal tunnel release for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome were included. The angular movements of the three joints of the thumb, the path length of the thumb tip and the area enclosed by the perimeter path of the thumb tip were measured during circumduction. The range of joint movement, including abduction/adduction of the trapeziometacarpal joint, and flexion/extension of the interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints and the path length of the thumb tips, improved significantly 1 year after surgery. The quantification of thumb kinematics helps to better understand motor dysfunction in carpal tunnel syndrome, assess the severity of the condition and decide on treatment.Level of evidence: IV.

Treatment of Intra-Articular Distal Phalanx Fractures in Baseball Players by Joint Distraction and Early Mobilization Using a New Dynamic External Finger Fixator.

In baseball players, a high degree of functional recovery is required for the treatment of fractures in the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint, especially on the throwing side. While dynamic external fixation is a useful treatment option to restore the joint function, existing external fixators are too large for use on DIP joints. Three cases of DIP joint intra-articular comminuted fractures in baseball players treated using the new dynamic external finger fixator which we developed are reported. The external fixator was kept attached for four weeks. The patients returned to play baseball 7-8 weeks after surgery. The total arc of the DIP joint was 90-100% of the contralateral side. Follow-up radiographs demonstrated that joint congruity had been reacquired. This technique was adaptive in the treatment of comminuted intra-articular fractures of the DIP joint and resulted in a near-normal range of joint motion and remodeling of the joint surface.

Ultrasonographic digital blood flow measurement in professional baseball pitchers - A quantitative and comparative study with non-throwers.

BACKGROUND: Vascular disorders in throwing athletes can occur from the thoracic outlet to the fingertips. The occurrence of these disorders around the shoulder is well known, and treatment options have been established for them. However, the occurrence of vascular pathology in the digital arteries in elite baseball pitchers is unclear, and treatment options have not yet been established. We hypothesized that asymptomatic professional baseball pitchers often have existing pathological changes in their digital blood flow; therefore, we quantitatively measured the blood flow in the index finger using ultrasonography and compared the results to those of non-baseball players. METHODS: Seven asymptomatic professional baseball pitchers (pitcher group) and 11 healthy volunteers (control group) were included. The flow velocity, flow volume and vessel resistance index of the ulnar digital artery of the index finger were measured just distal to the proximal interphalangeal joint using pulsed wave Doppler in two positions: 1) with the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint relaxed (10-15° flexed) and 2) with the PIP joint passively extended (0-5°). RESULTS: The mean flow velocity and flow volume were lower in the extended position than in the relaxed position in both groups. In the dominant hand, which was the throwing hand in the pitcher group, the mean flow velocity and the flow volume in the relaxed position were significantly lower in the pitcher group than in the control group. The vessel resistance index in the relaxed position of the dominant hand was significantly higher in the pitcher group than in the control group. In the nondominant hand, there was no significant difference in any parameter between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic professional baseball pitchers may have a pathological change in digital blood flow in the throwing hand. As treatment options for this condition have not yet been established, it is of utmost importance to carry out periodic examination and prevention before the condition progresses to the symptomatic end stage.

Distal Intersection Syndrome Combined With Partial Attritional Changes of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis in Tennis Players.

The purpose of this study is to report the cases of 2 tennis players with distal intersection syndrome, a rare pathological condition, combined with partial attritional changes of the extensor carpi radialis brevis tendon. Both individuals were able to return to their original level of performance after surgical intervention consisting of synovectomy within the distal intersection and release of the distal part of the extensor retinaculum. Physicians should familiarize themselves with distal intersection syndrome, which can cause dorsoradial wrist pain in tennis players. If pain is prolonged, tendon attrition may occur, and surgical treatment may be indicated.

Rapidly growing Fibro-osseous pseudotumor of the digit: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Fibro-osseous pseudotumor of the digit is a rare benign lesion of subcutaneous tissue that typically arises in the parabone site of the proximal phalanx in young adult females. The lesion is histopathologically characterized by fibroblastic proliferation and osteoid formation. Good prognosis following complete surgical excision of the tumor has been reported, with a very low recurrence rate and no reports of malignant transformation. Despite its benign clinical behavior, the lesion can be mistaken for a malignant neoplasm, such as an extraskeletal or parosteal osteosarcoma, in case of rapid growth, thereby rendering the diagnosis challenging. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report the case of a 30-year-old right-handed male who presented to our hospital with a rapidly growing mass on the dorsal aspect of the right little finger. DIAGNOSIS: The patient was suspected to have soft tissue tumor of the little finger. The lesion could be considered a malignant tumor on the basis of clinical findings. INTERVENTIONS: The patient underwent surgery for exploration and excision of the mass. OUTCOMES: The excised mass was diagnosed to be fibro-osseous pseudotumor of the digit upon histological assessment. Postoperatively, the wound healed without complications. At postoperative 6 months, there were no signs or symptoms of recurrence, and the patient returned to his premorbid functional status. CONCLUSION: Following the detection of a soft tissue mass with clinicopathological features of pseudomalignancy in the digit, clinicians should consider fibro-osseous pseudotumor of the digit as a possible diagnosis, thereby avoiding unnecessary aggressive surgery.

Monitoring Vascular Compromise Using Ultrasound After Free Tissue Transfer.

OBJECTIVES: To report the clinical utility of high-resolution ultrasound (US) for monitoring vascular compromise after free tissue transfer. METHODS: Fifty-two tissue transfers in the extremities were included in this study. Blood flow around the anastomotic pedicle and subcutaneous tissue of the grafted flap was monitored with pulsed color and power Doppler US whenever the conventional monitoring method, comprising the bedside assessment of the temperature, capillary refill, and flap color, showed abnormalities until 1 week after reconstruction. RESULTS: All flaps were indicated for US monitoring, with 44 flaps showing Doppler signals in each position, even though conventional flap monitoring showed an abnormality. Forty of the 44 flaps showed no flap failure, whereas the remaining 4 flaps developed partial necrosis. Abnormal US findings were noted in 8 of the 52 flaps. Ultrasound revealed interruption of venous blood flow around the anastomotic pedicle in 6 of 8 flaps. Emergent exploration revealed venous occlusion at the anastomotic pedicle, similar to the US finding. In 2 of the 8 flaps, US showed no blood flow to either the anastomotic pedicle or subcutaneous tissue. Emergent exploration revealed arterial occlusion at the anastomotic pedicle. Seven of the 8 reexplored flaps were salvaged after revision surgery with complete flap survival. Partial flap survival was noted in 1 case, but complete flap failure was avoided. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound is a useful adjunct that enables a direct assessment of perfusion in grafted tissues, which may reduce unnecessary exploration when conventional flap monitoring shows an abnormality.

Long-term disuse of the hand affects motor imagery ability in patients with complete brachial plexus palsy.

The purpose of this study was to examine motor imagery ability in patients with peripheral nerve disorder using the hand mental rotation task. Five patients with left total avulsion brachial plexus palsy (BPP) and 16 healthy age-matched adults participated in this study. The mean±SD time from the injury was 103.6±49.7 months. Participants performed a hand mental rotation task as the motor imagery task; outcome measures included the reaction time from cognizing hand stimuli to the judgment of hand laterality (right or left) and the error rate. Patients also completed the Hand 20 questionnaire to assess the use of their affected limb. Log-transformed reaction times of the affected limb in patients with BPP were significantly higher than those of the unaffected limb and the left-sided limb of the healthy participants. Log-transformed reaction times of the unaffected limb in patients were significantly higher than those of the right-sided limb in healthy participants. Log-transformed error rate did not differ between patients and healthy participants. According to the results of the Hand 20 questionnaire, patients with BPP hardly used their affected limb because of severe sensory-motor dysfunction. Motor imagery ability of the affected and unaffected limbs in patients with complete BPP may be decreased owing to long-term disuse. These findings suggest that long-term disuse in those with severe peripheral nerve disorders could affect motor imagery ability of both the affected and unaffected limbs.

Joint distraction and early mobilization using a new dynamic external finger fixator for the treatment of fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic external fixation is a useful treatment option for unstable fracture-dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint, because it simultaneously reduces axial pressure load on the joint surface, maintains congruent joint reduction, and permits early joint motion. However, most current devices are large, hindering finger movement, and unstable. To address these problems, we developed a dynamic external finger fixator, named the Micro Ortho Fixator®. The purpose of this study was to review the results of using the new external finger fixator to treat unstable fracture-dislocations of the PIP joint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients who sustained unstable fracture-dislocation injuries of the PIP joint were treated with the Micro Ortho Fixator®. Seven fractures were accompanied by depressed bony fragments at the base of the middle phalanx. All patients were evaluated for pain and range of PIP motion at the final follow-up. Radiographs of the affected fingers were evaluated for PIP congruity and reduction. The mean follow-up duration was 11.1 months (range: 6-33 months). RESULTS: At the final follow-up, pain averaged 0.3 (range: 0-2) on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, and the total arc of motion at the PIP joint averaged 91.2° (range: 50-110°). All fractures had healed, and the intra-articular step-off improved from 1.9 mm (SD: 1.0) before surgery to 0.2 mm (SD: 0.4) at the final follow-up. The patients who sustained sports injuries returned to competition after an average of 3.5 months (range: 2.5-4 months). CONCLUSION: The external fixator is compact and facilitates range-of-motion (ROM) exercises, has high stability, and achieves good joint congruity and an ROM equivalent to the healthy joint of the patient. STUDY DESIGN/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic/IV.

Comparison of sonography and MRI in the evaluation of stability of capitellar osteochondritis dissecans.

PURPOSE: To compare the diagnostic accuracies of ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with intraoperative capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (COCD) fragment stability findings. METHODS: Patients whose International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) classifications were I/II (stable) or III (unstable) were included. Patients underwent preoperative US and MRI. On US, lesions were evaluated as unstable when irregular contours of the chondral surface were observed. On MRI, lesions were evaluated as unstable when articular bone irregularity, a T2 high signal intensity interface, or a high signal intensity line through the articular cartilage was observed. Using the surgical assessment as the gold standard, accuracies of fragment stability diagnoses were calculated for US and MRI. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients with OCD classifications of I/II (stable) or III (unstable) were included. Twenty-four patients (stable: 12, unstable: 12) underwent preoperative US; 22 (stable: 11, unstable: 11) underwent preoperative MRI. Preoperative US and MRI stability assessments correctly matched intraoperative fragment findings in 23 of 24 patients and 16 of 22 patients, respectively. US criteria in this study achieved superior accuracy compared with MRI criteria (96% vs. 73%; P < .05). CONCLUSION: US was a useful tool for evaluating fragment instability in COCD.

Slow progressive popliteal artery insufficiency after neglected proximal tibial physeal fracture: a case report.

Popliteal artery injury is most commonly associated with high-energy trauma, which is easily diagnosed upon initial physical examination. However, in some situations, the diagnosis of arterial injury is delayed because of slow progression of arterial insufficiency, which may lead to limb amputation. We report a rare case of popliteal arterial occlusion with the presence of arterial pulses during initial assessment, resulting from a neglected proximal ibial physis fracture. This case shows that even in the presence of foot pulses, the surgeon must consider the possibility of a popliteal artery damage whenever trauma is seen near the knee joint.