Were camptodactyly and boutonniere deformity considered pathological in late fifteenth century Italy? Evidence from the sculptures of Francesco di Simone Ferrucci (1437-1493).

Representations of disease in Renaissance paintings have been discussed in medical literature, in the context of historical epidemiology, as potential sources of information about the incidence and appearance of particular conditions in earlier times. The present study seeks to show how Renaissance art can also contribute to historical nosology by casting light on the question of whether particular conditions recognized as abnormal today were understood as pathological in the past. The hands of two Renaissance Madonna figures are examined in sculptures produced by Francesco di Simone Ferrucci (1437-1493). Because the Virgin Mary was considered physically perfect by believers, and because Francesco was a successful producer of devotional sculptures for a wide audience, it is highly probable that any abnormal conditions found in the hands of Madonnas sculpted by him would not have been regarded as pathological at the time. The sculptures examined appear to depict camptodactyly and boutonniere deformity in the hands of Madonna figures. These uncommon conditions are also found in Renaissance artworks that show other individuals of high social status, but their presence in the hands of the Madonna gives the strongest indication that they were not considered pathological, due to religious belief in the Virgin's physical perfection. Examination of Madonna figures in late fifteenth century Renaissance art can contribute to historical nosology by identifying abnormal conditions that were not regarded as pathological at the time. The examples of such conditions identified in the present study are camptodactyly and boutonniere deformity.

Instability of the extensor digitorum tendons in Jaccoud arthropathy assessed by semi-dynamic MRI of the metacarpophalangeal joints.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that Jaccoud arthropathy (JA) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with instability of the extensor digitorum (ED) tendons during flexion of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints by comparing the position of the ED tendons between SLE patients with JA and control subjects on hand MRI obtained with flexed and extended MCP joints. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two hands of SLE patients with JA (13 women and 3 men; mean age, 50.0±12.2 [SD] years; age range: 26-68years) and 24 hands of sex- and age-matched control subjects (20 women and 4 men; mean age, 50.1±13.0 [SD] years; age range: 24-68years) were included in the study. Axial spin echo T1-weighted MRI images of the second to fifth MCP joints in flexion and in extension were obtained. Two radiologists (R1 and R2) separately measured the amplitude and assessed the direction of the displacement of the ED tendons with respect to the midline at the level of each MCP joint. Statistical analysis included two-way ANOVA with random effects to assess differences in amplitude and Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact test to assess differences in direction with P-values<0.0083 and<0.0063 considered as statistically significant respectively. RESULTS: Amplitude of the displacement of the ED tendons was statistically significantly greater in SLE patients with JA than in control subjects in flexion for both readers (median 58°, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 50°-65° vs. 20°, 95% CI: 16°-24°; P<0.0001 for R1 and 54°, 95% CI: 47°-61° vs. 25°, 95% CI: 22°-28°; P<0.0001 for R2) and in extension for one reader (17°, 95% CI: 15°-20° vs. 14°, 95% CI: 11°-16°; P=0.0048 for R1 and 20°, 95% CI: 15°-25° vs. 16°, 95% CI: 12°-18°; P=0.0292 for R2). Ulnar deviation of the ED tendons was statistically significantly more frequent in SLE patients with JA than in control subjects in flexion and in extension for both readers (P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: JA is associated with instability of the ED tendons in patients with SLE best depicted when MCP joints are flexed.

EFFECT OF THE P.A.R.Q.V.E ON RHIZARTHRITIS.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a clinical management program involving education on hand function in patients with rhizarthritis. METHODS: One hundred and eight patients with rhizarthritis and multiple arthritis (191 hands with clinical and radiographic rhizarthritis) followed for two years as part of an educational program on osteoarthritis were administered the SF-36, DASH, and HAQ questionnaires and measured for the strength of their palmar grip, pulp to pulp pinch, key (lateral) pinch, and tripod pinch at the time of inclusion and after 24 months. Age, race, level and frequency of physical activity, sex, body mass index, percentage of body fat, and degree of osteoarthritis were correlated to the test outcomes. RESULTS: Women improved less than men on the HAQ (p=0.037). Each 1% reduction in fat percentage increased the chance of HAQ score improvement by 9.2% (p=0.038). Physical activity did not influence improvement in the parameters evaluated (p>0.05). Palmar grip improvement was affected by age and presence of rhizarthritis (p<0.05); patients with unilateral rhizarthritis improved 5.3 times more than patients without the disease (p=0.015), while improvement in palmar grip strength decreased 6.8% per year (p=0.004). Pulp pinch grip strength improved more in women than in men (p=0.018). CONCLUSION: Patients with rhizarthritis and multiple arthritis improved quality of life and grip strength through clinical treatment, an educational program, and fat loss. Level of Evidence II; Retrospective study.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o efeito de um programa de tratamento clínico com ensino da função das mãos em pacientes com rizoartrite. MÉTODOS: Cento e oito indivíduos com rizoartrite e poliartrose (191 mãos com rizoartrite clínico-radiográfica) acompanhados por dois anos num programa educacional sobre osteoartrite responderam os questionários SF-36, DASH e HAQ e os testes de força de preensão palmar, pinça-polpa, pinça-chave e pinça-trípode no momento da inclusão e 24 meses depois. Idade, raça, nível e frequência de atividade física, sexo, índice de massa corporal, porcentagem de gordura corpórea, grau de osteoartrite foram correlacionados aos testes realizados. RESULTADOS: As mulheres melhoraram em menor grau que homens no HAQ (p = 0,037) e cada redução de 1% no percentual de gordura aumenta 9,2% a chance de melhora no HAQ (p = 0,038). A atividade física não influenciou a melhora dos parâmetros avaliados (p > 0,05). Idade e presença de rizoartrite influenciam a melhora da preensão palmar (p < 0,05), sendo que pacientes com rizoartrite unilateral melhoram 5,3 vezes mais que pacientes sem a doença (p = 0,015) e a melhora da preensão diminui 6,8% por ano (p = 0,004). As mulheres melhoraram em maior grau que homens na pinça-polpa (p = 0,018). CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes com rizoartrite e poliartrose têm melhor qualidade de vida e força de preensão com o tratamento clínico, programa educacional e perda de gordura. Nível de Evidência II; Estudo retrospectivo.

Treatment of mallet finger deformity by reconstruction of the terminal extensor tendon insertion with Endobutton CL BTB / 中华骨科杂志

Objective Purpose To introduce the treatment of mallet finger deformity by reconstruction of the terminal ex?tensor tendon insertion with endobutton CL bone?tendon?bone (BTB), and discuss its clinical effects. Methods From January 2010 to August 2013, 21patients (male 15, female 6) with mallet finger deformity were retrospectively studied. The average age of patients was 31.3±5.3 years. The time from injury to surgery was 5.2±2.1 d. Extensor tendons were ruptured at the terminal inser?tion in all patients, and there were no avulsion fracture at the base of the distal phalanx.. the terminal extensor tendon insertion Awere surgical reconstructed with Endobutton CL BTB, via a dorsal S?shaped incision of distal interphalangeal joint. Dorsal base of the distal phalanx was drilled a hole and then the tendon suture line with Endobutton CL BTBwas inserted from the ventral fin?ger to the dorsal base of the phalanx to suture the proximal extensor tendon. The function of the affected finger was evaluated ac?cording to the Crawford standard after operation and follow?up: the active flexion and extension range of motion of each joint of the affected finger and the contralateral healthy finger were measured, and the total active ranges of motion of the finger were record?ed. Finger function was evaluated according to the total active range of motion (TAM) system of the American Association of hand Surgeons. Results All 21 cases were followed up and the follow?up period was 8 to 24 months, with an average of 18.6 ± 5.1 months. The operation time of the patients was 20-40 min, with an average of 29.6±10.3 min. The intraoperative blood loss was 5-10ml, with an average of 7.5±2.6 ml. Mallet finger deformities were all corrected postoperatively. One case presented with limited dorsal extension with elongation of-20°. According to the Crawford evaluation standard, there were 18 excellent patients and 2 good patients, with the excellent and good rate was 95.2% (20/21). The degrees of active joint activity were: 91°±7°of the metacar?pophalangeal joint, 92°±4°of the proximal interphalangeal joint , 82°±8°of the distal interphalangeal joint, and 259°±15°of total active activity. The TAMs of the healthy side were 259°±15°, and the TAMs of the affected side were 268°±12°, the difference was statistically significant (t=2.147, P=0.038). Accorrding to TAM system assessment criteria: excellent in 18 patients, good in 2 pa?tients, and the excellent and good rate was 95.2% (20/21). One case presented with dorsal extension limitation, one case suffered from discomfort of grip because of scar in ventral side of the finger. The postoperative dorsal extension was limited in 3 cases, and the postoperative dorsal extension function was gradually restored 6 months later. Conclusion The treatment of mallet finger de?formity by reconstruction of the terminal extensor tendon insertion with Endobutton CL BTB was effective and easy?operating. Postoperative patients can perform early finger function exercise, satisfactory results, worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Treatment of mallet finger deformity by reconstruction of the terminal extensor tendon insertion with Endobutton CL BTB / 中华骨科杂志

Objective@#Purpose To introduce the treatment of mallet finger deformity by reconstruction of the terminal extensor tendon insertion with endobutton CL bone-tendon-bone (BTB), and discuss its clinical effects.@*Methods@#From January 2010 to August 2013, 21patients (male 15, female 6) with mallet finger deformity were retrospectively studied. The average age of patients was 31.3±5.3 years. The time from injury to surgery was 5.2±2.1 d. Extensor tendons were ruptured at the terminal insertion in all patients, and there were no avulsion fracture at the base of the distal phalanx.. the terminal extensor tendon insertion Awere surgical reconstructed with Endobutton CL BTB, via a dorsal S-shaped incision of distal interphalangeal joint. Dorsal base of the distal phalanx was drilled a hole and then the tendon suture line with Endobutton CL BTBwas inserted from the ventral finger to the dorsal base of the phalanx to suture the proximal extensor tendon. The function of the affected finger was evaluated according to the Crawford standard after operation and follow-up: the active flexion and extension range of motion of each joint of the affected finger and the contralateral healthy finger were measured, and the total active ranges of motion of the finger were recorded. Finger function was evaluated according to the total active range of motion (TAM) system of the American Association of hand Surgeons.@*Results@#All 21 cases were followed up and the follow-up period was 8 to 24 months, with an average of 18.6±5.1 months. The operation time of the patients was 20-40 min, with an average of 29.6±10.3 min. The intraoperative blood loss was 5-10ml, with an average of 7.5±2.6 ml. Mallet finger deformities were all corrected postoperatively. One case presented with limited dorsal extension with elongation of -20°. According to the Crawford evaluation standard, there were 18 excellent patients and 2 good patients, with the excellent and good rate was 95.2% (20/21). The degrees of active joint activity were: 91°±7° of the metacar-pophalangeal joint, 92°±4° of the proximal interphalangeal joint, 82°±8° of the distal interphalangeal joint, and 259°±15° of total active activity. The TAMs of the healthy side were 259°±15°, and the TAMs of the affected side were 268°±12°, the difference was statistically significant (t=2.147, P=0.038). Accorrding to TAM system assessment criteria: excellent in 18 patients, good in 2 patients, and the excellent and good rate was 95.2% (20/21). One case presented with dorsal extension limitation, one case suffered from discomfort of grip because of scar in ventral side of the finger. The postoperative dorsal extension was limited in 3 cases, and the postoperative dorsal extension function was gradually restored 6 months later.@*Conclusion@#The treatment of mallet finger deformity by reconstruction of the terminal extensor tendon insertion with Endobutton CL BTB was effective and easy-operating. Postoperative patients can perform early finger function exercise, satisfactory results, worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Single-Bone Forearm Salvage Procedure for a Child with Acquired Radial Clubhand in a Resource Limited Centre: A Case Report

@#Acquired radial clubhand deformity can be a consequence of large bone gap left by premature extensive radius osteomyelitis sequestrectomy. Single-bone forearm reconstruction is a salvage procedure when other motionpreserving techniques are not feasible. Here we present a child who developed radial clubhand deformity after an untimely sequestrectomy of radius diaphysis. In view of limited microsurgical expertise in our centre, single-bone forearm procedure was done utilising simple Kirshner wires to achieve radio-ulnar fusion. The procedure resulted in painfree stable wrist, restoration of hand function and improved cosmesis.

Effect of the p.a.r.q.v.e on rhizarthritis / Efeito do p.a.r.q.v.e sobre a rizoartrite

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effect of a clinical management program involving education on hand function in patients with rhizarthritis. Methods: One hundred and eight patients with rhizarthritis and multiple arthritis (191 hands with clinical and radiographic rhizarthritis) followed for two years as part of an educational program on osteoarthritis were administered the SF-36, DASH, and HAQ questionnaires and measured for the strength of their palmar grip, pulp to pulp pinch, key (lateral) pinch, and tripod pinch at the time of inclusion and after 24 months. Age, race, level and frequency of physical activity, sex, body mass index, percentage of body fat, and degree of osteoarthritis were correlated to the test outcomes. Results: Women improved less than men on the HAQ (p=0.037). Each 1% reduction in fat percentage increased the chance of HAQ score improvement by 9.2% (p=0.038). Physical activity did not influence improvement in the parameters evaluated (p>0.05). Palmar grip improvement was affected by age and presence of rhizarthritis (p<0.05); patients with unilateral rhizarthritis improved 5.3 times more than patients without the disease (p=0.015), while improvement in palmar grip strength decreased 6.8% per year (p=0.004). Pulp pinch grip strength improved more in women than in men (p=0.018). Conclusion: Patients with rhizarthritis and multiple arthritis improved quality of life and grip strength through clinical treatment, an educational program, and fat loss. Level of Evidence II; Retrospective study.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito de um programa de tratamento clínico com ensino da função das mãos em pacientes com rizoartrite. Métodos: Cento e oito indivíduos com rizoartrite e poliartrose (191 mãos com rizoartrite clínico-radiográfica) acompanhados por dois anos num programa educacional sobre osteoartrite responderam os questionários SF-36, DASH e HAQ e os testes de força de preensão palmar, pinça-polpa, pinça-chave e pinça-trípode no momento da inclusão e 24 meses depois. Idade, raça, nível e frequência de atividade física, sexo, índice de massa corporal, porcentagem de gordura corpórea, grau de osteoartrite foram correlacionados aos testes realizados. Resultados: As mulheres melhoraram em menor grau que homens no HAQ (p = 0,037) e cada redução de 1% no percentual de gordura aumenta 9,2% a chance de melhora no HAQ (p = 0,038). A atividade física não influenciou a melhora dos parâmetros avaliados (p > 0,05). Idade e presença de rizoartrite influenciam a melhora da preensão palmar (p < 0,05), sendo que pacientes com rizoartrite unilateral melhoram 5,3 vezes mais que pacientes sem a doença (p = 0,015) e a melhora da preensão diminui 6,8% por ano (p = 0,004). As mulheres melhoraram em maior grau que homens na pinça-polpa (p = 0,018). Conclusão: Pacientes com rizoartrite e poliartrose têm melhor qualidade de vida e força de preensão com o tratamento clínico, programa educacional e perda de gordura. Nível de Evidência II; Estudo retrospectivo.