Treatment of Early Undifferentiated Chronic Monoarthritis of the Wrist by Arthroscopic Wrist Synovectomy Combined with Partial Denervation.

OBJECTIVE: Undifferentiated chronic monosecarthritis (UCMA) is a group of inflammatory joint diseases that has the potential to progress to other diseases and can seriously affect patients' quality of life. There is yet no unified consensus regarding treatment of UCMA. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of arthroscopic synovectomy combined with partial wrist denervation in treating Larsen 1-3 UCMA. METHODS: In this case series, we reviewed 14 patients with UCMA treated by arthroscopic synovectomy combined with partial denervation from February 2017 to June 2020. The mean duration of symptoms was 17.4 months (range, 4-60 months), and the mean follow-up was 13.3 months (range, 6-23 months). The anterior and posterior interosseous nerves were severed at the distal forearm, and the radiocarpal, midcarpal, and distal radial ulnar joint synovial membranes were arthroscopically resected at the wrist. The clinical evaluation indices included the visual analogue scale score (VAS) for pain, grip strength, range of (active) motion of the wrist, total active motion, and Mayo wrist score. Larsen's scoring method was used as the imaging evaluation index. RESULTS: At the last follow-up, significant clinical improvements were observed in the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain (6.0 (5.0-6.3) vs 1.0 (1.0-2.3), P = 0.001) and Mayo wrist score (42.1 ± 9.7 vs 61.8 ± 12.3, P < 0.0001). No significant changes were found in grip strength (15.9 ± 4.5 vs 16.6 ± 4.7, P = 0.230) or the flexion-extension arc (58.9 ± 39.0 vs 64.3 ± 36.5, P = 0.317), although the mean and median did show positive changes. Among the three patients who showed progress in imaging, there was no significant difference in their pain and functional scores compared to those who did not progress. One patient underwent total wrist fusion 17 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic wrist synovectomy combined with partial wrist denervation can provide sustained pain relief and functional recovery for patients with Larsen 1-3 UCMA.

Anatomical and clinical study of a new mallet fracture classification method.

BACKGROUND: Mallet fracture is avulsion of the terminal extensor tendon from the base of the distal phalangeal bone with a bony fragment. This study was performed to evaluate the anatomical characteristics of mallet fractures, investigate a new mallet fracture classification system using anatomical and imaging methods, and discuss the treatment schemes for different types of mallet fracture. METHODS: Sixty-four fresh cadaveric fingers were divided into four groups, and models of different types of mallet fracture with distal interphalangeal joint instability were established by dissecting 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of the bilateral collateral ligaments. The effect of mallet fractures on the stability of the distal interphalangeal joint was then observed. The lateral radiographs of mallet fractures in 168 patients were analyzed and classified according to the involvement of the joint surface in the fracture, the thickness of fracture, the untreated time after injury, and the complication of distal interphalangeal joint palmar subluxation. Forty-seven patients were surgically treated by reconstruction of extensor tendon insertion, the Ishiguro method, or single Kirschner wire fixation. RESULTS: The established mallet fracture model showed that the distal interphalangeal joint was stable when the bilateral collateral ligaments were cut off by 25% (t = -0.415, P = 0.684) and significantly unstable when this range was ≥50% (50% transection: t = -6.363, P < 0.001; 75% transection: t = -17.036, P < 0.001; 100% transection: t = -30.977, P < 0.001, respectively). The mallet fractures were divided into Types I, II, and III (fracture involving <20%, 20%-50%, and >50% of the joint surface, respectively). Type II was further divided into Types IIa and IIb according to whether the course of injury was < or ≥2 weeks, respectively. The mean post-operative flexion of the distal interphalangeal joint was 63.4°â€Š±â€Š7.9°, and the mean extension lag was 6.7°â€Š±â€Š4.6°. CONCLUSIONS: The lateral collateral ligament is the main factor that maintains the stability of the distal interphalangeal joint. Classification that combines the involvement of the joint surface in the fracture, the thickness of the fracture, and the untreated time after injury is reasonable and will help to choose an appropriate operational method.

Management of intra-articular fracture of the fingers via mini external fixator combined with limited internal fixation.

BACKGROUND: Intra-articular fractures of the fingers are common problems to emergency physicians and hand surgeons. Inappropriate management of these injuries may result in chronic pain, stiffness, deformity, or post traumatic arthritis. Ideal treatment necessitates the restoration of a stable and congruent joint that will allow early mobilization. The purpose of this study was to investigate the results of intra-articular fracture of the fingers by mini external fixator combined with limited internal fixation. METHODS: From May 2005 to May 2007, a total of 26 patients with intra-articular fracture of the fingers were treated by mini external fixator combined with limited internal fixation. Of the 26 cases, 11 involved in metacarpophalangeal joint, and 15 interphalangeal joint in proximal interphalangeal. Kirschner wire, mini wire and absorbable suture were used for limited internal fixation. All patients were followed up and patients were accomplished with total active motion (TAM) of fingers. RESULTS: All patients were reviewed by an independent observer. The mean follow up was 13 months (range 9 to 24 months). Subjective, objective and radiographic results were evaluated. X-ray films revealed fracture union and the average radiographic union time was 7 weeks with a range of 5 - 12 weeks and the phalange shortening or rotation in 2 cases, joint incongruity (less than 1 mm) and joint space narrowing in 3 cases respectively. Phalangeal shortening or rotation was observed in 2 cases and joint incongruity or joint space narrowing was observed in 3 cases. An artificial implant was performed on one case for traumatic arthritis 1.5 years after surgery. Based on TAM the overall good-excellent rate of joint motion function was 80.8%. CONCLUSION: Mini external fixator combined with limited internal fixation is a reliable and effective method for treatment of intra-articular fracture of the fingers.

[Antegrade intramedullary fixation of the neck and subcapital fractures of the fifth metacarpal].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the treatment of the displaced neck and subcapital fractures of the fifth metacarpal. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with the neck and subcapital fractures of the fifth metacarpal had been operated on with antegrade intramedullary fixation between January and August 2005. There was 11 subcapital fractures (group A), and 20 neck fractures (group B). Following closed reduction of the fracture, a blunt 2.0 mm diameter K-wire, which was pre-bent into 20 degrees at the distal end, was inserted into the medullary canal of the fifth metacarpal and fixed the fractures. Postoperatively, patients in group A were immobilized in a short arm plaster splint for 4 weeks, and the ones in group B were treated with unrestricted mobilization. RESULTS: Operative time was 18 min averagely (range 5 to 30 min). Twenty-nine of 31 patients obtained anatomic reduction, and 2 patients had 2/3 apposition of bone end and no rotational deformity. Follow-up was available for all patients. The average follow-up interval was 4 months, with a range of 3 - 6 months. The head/shaft angle of the fifth metacarpal in group A was 63.4 degrees +/- 14.5 degrees preoperatively, and 15.0 degrees +/- 2.5 degrees postoperatively, and 15.4 degrees +/- 2.6 degrees in 3 months postoperatively. The difference between preoperative and postoperative angles was highly significant. The range of motion of the metacarpal joint was 89.5 degrees +/- 4.3 degrees postoperatively, which was not significantly different compared with that of uninjured side. The head/shaft angle in group B was 59.1 degrees +/- 10.0 degrees preoperatively, and 15.9 degrees +/- 2.5 degrees postoperatively, and 15.5 degrees +/- 2.8 degrees in 3 months postoperatively. The difference between preoperative and postoperative angles was highly significant. The range of motion of the metacarpal joint was 88.6 degrees +/- 3.6 degrees postoperatively, which was not significantly different compared with that of uninjured side. CONCLUSIONS: The technique is technically easy to perform, minimally invasive, low-cost, allowing early hand mobilization, with good functional results and low morbidity, and it has been proved to be an ideal method.