[Treatment of post-traumatic epiphysiodesis of the radius with osteotomy of the 2, bones of the forearm]. / Traitement de l'épiphysiodèse post traumatique du radius par ostéotomie des 2 os de l'avant-bras.

The authors report a case of posttraumatic closure of the distal radial epiphysis. Wrist pain, grip weakness and gross deformity warranted surgical correction of the discrepancy between radial and ulnar lengths. Simultaneous osteotomy of the radius and shortening of the ulna offer a less destructive alternative to both cosmetic and functional disorders at the wrist than the Kapandji-Sauvé procedure.

[Simple tibiotalar luxation. Apropos of 16 cases]. / Les luxations tibio-astragaliennes pures. A propos de 16 observations.

Tibiotalar dislocations without fracture are extremely rare lesions. This series included 16 patients, 12 of whom have been examined clinically and radiographically. The purpose of this study was to specify the injury mechanism of the various anatomical types and to assess the long term outcome. The group included eight posteromedial dislocations (50%), four posterior dislocations (25%), one anterior dislocation, one high variety, one of the Huguier type, and one complex dislocation. The sex ratio was 14 males/2 females with an average age of 37 years. In half of the cases, dislocations were open. The average follow-up period was 11 years (range, 1 to 26 years). The eight closed dislocations and the open case type I according to the Cauchoix classification received non-operative treatment by reduction in the emergency room and immobilization in a plaster cast for 6 weeks. The seven patients who presented open dislocations Cauchoix type 2 and type 3 were treated by surgical debridement and ligament repair, followed in all cases by a plaster cast boot, and in two cases by temporary transplantar pinning. Twelve patients were reexamined clinically according to the Gay and Evrard modified score, and were radiographically evaluated with lateral and anteroposterior views focused on the tibiotalar joint, on both sides, static and dynamic. Anatomical factors resulting in predisposition such as medial malleolus shortness or lack of coverage of the talus have been evaluated. No patient presented tibiotalar joint instability. A 5 degrees to 10 degrees loss in the range of dorsiflexion was frequently observed. Two patients presented joint stiffness. In four cases, patients complained about paresthesias in the areas of the anterior tibial nerve or intermediary dorsal cutaneous nerve. Four cases of degenerative arthritis were radiographically observed, two of which presented an overall narrowing of the joint over 50%. Degenerative arthritis had occurred within the first four years in these 4 cases. The talus coverage index was similar to the standard population. Shortness of the medial malleolus was present in only two cases. The long-term prognosis after tibiotalar dislocation without fracture proves to be good. One should favor orthopedic treatment. The absence of tibiotalar instability argues against carrying out emergency ligamentous repair. Evolution towards degenerative arthritis is to be anticipated in 25% of cases, especially following open dislocations, or if transplantar pinning was required due to instability of the initial reduction.

[Carpal tunnel syndrome in patients on hemodialysis (apropos of 17 cases)]. / Le syndrome du canal carpien chez l'hémodialysé (à propos de 17 cas).

This work is based on a series of 12 patients on hemodialysis who were operated on for a carpal tunnel syndrome, 66% of whom were seen with an average follow-up of 39 months (range 4 to 99 months). The operation was performed bilaterally on 5 occasions, which brings the number of hands operated to 17. Of the hemodialyzed patients 9.2% presented with median nerve compression. The main etiologies of renal insufficiency were chronic, interstitial nephropathies (5 cases) and chronic glomerular nephropathies (5 cases). All the patients were operated without a pneumatic tourniquet in order to preserve arteriovenous fistula permeability. In addition to division of the flexor retinaculum, 3 approaches to the Guyon canal, 3 anterior epineural membrane removals and 8 partial synovectomies of the flexors were performed. The postoperative evaluation included bilateral clinical and electromyographic analysis of both hands. In this study, the authors indicate the preferential appearance of certain sequelae specific to this type of syndrome for the hemodialyzed patient, and they propose therapies which could reduce their incidence. The use of electromyograms for systematic screening must be considered within the scope of earlier performance of surgery, this would help avoid irreversible neurological lesions.

[A rare entity: intraosseous synovial cyst of the calcaneus]. / Une entité rare: le kyste synovial intra osseux du calcanéum.

The authors report a rare case of a histologically proven intraosseous ganglion found in the calcaneus. A 59 year old carpenter was referred to our institution because of progressive talalgia with swelling of the hindfoot, increasing with prolonged standing and walking at job. X rays showed a multilobular radiolucent cyst developed in the anterior part of the left calcaneus, outlined by a rim of sclerotic bone. A lateral cortical split revealed by CT was deemed to be a traumatic communication with the soft tissue. At biopsy, a gelatinous and hematic content was noted but pathologic examination of the cyst walls failed to reveal the diagnosis; there were no malignant cells. 5 weeks later, the cyst and its contents were excised through lateral approach and the defect filled with cancellous bone graft. At pathological examination, a final diagnosis of ganglion cyst was determined. One year after surgery, the patient was asymptomatic; no sign of recurrence was observed. Intraosseous ganglia are benign subchondral cysts which rarely involve foot bones. When pain becomes consistent and swelling occurs because of overlooked fracture, malignant bone tumors should be ruled out. Histological examination is mandatory to confirm the diagnosis. Excision of the cyst and bone grafting are effective; recurrence is infrequent.

[Effect of the rotator cuff condition on the results of shoulder arthroplasty]. / Influence de l'état de la coiffe des rotateurs sur les résultats de l'arthroplastie d'épaule.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this report was to study the repercussions of rotator cuff condition on unconstrained shoulder arthroplasty results. METHODS: Between 1986 and 1993, 40 unconstrained shoulder prostheses were performed (24 total and 16 hemiarthroplasties). At the time of the operation, rotator cuff condition was reported to be normal in 15 shoulders, atrophic in 10, scarred in 3, torn in 12. Clinical and radiographical results were analyzed and supplemented with a rotator cuff echography. Postoperative follow-up averaged 42.25 months (12 to 97 months). RESULTS: When the rotator cuff was intact at the time of operation, clinical results were the best at the time of review. Constant score, overall mobility, forward elevation, external rotation with the elbow along the side were better for intact than for atrophic, scarred or torn rotator cuffs (p < 0.01). Ruptures repaired by local tissue transfer or trapezo deltoidal flap substitution (3 cases) gave satisfactory results, whereas two dacron cuff prostheses failed. In the non repaired ruptures (7 cases), arthroplasty resulted in 3/4 fair or poor results. At the time of review, the total incidence of postoperative rotator cuff tears was high (12 cases), functional repercussions were variable. Among the 15 rotator cuff tears observed at the time of the review, the long head of the biceps was present and in place in 9 cases and ruptured in 6 cases. In these latter cases, Constant score (p < 0.01), the forward elevation (p < 0.01), external rotation with elbow along side (p < 0.05) and overall mobility (p < 0.05) were worse; moreover, humeral head superior migration was greater (p < 0.01). DISCUSSION: Our study confirms the superiority of clinical results when the cuff was intact at the time of the operation. The repair of rotator cuff tears seems to be justified. When the rupture has not been repaired, clinical results were fair or poor in 5 cases out of 7, the initial rupture spread to the other tendons in 3 cases out of 7. Secondary ruptures were frequent (12 cases). No predictive factor was identified, but an overlapping of the greater tuberosity appears to be detrimental. Among rotator cuff tears present at the time of review, long head of the biceps rupture jeopardized clinical results and was associated with a proximal migration of the humeral head which was significantly more severe than with an intact non displaced long head of the biceps. CONCLUSION: During unconstrained shoulder prosthesis implantation, it is therefore recommend to systematically repair any associated rotator cuff rupture, in order to avoid any greater tuberosity overlap relative to the prosthetic head and to preserve the long head of the biceps tendon which limits upward migration of the humeral head and improves prosthetic kinetics.

[Surgical treatment of the rheumatoid forefoot by realignment using th dorsal approach]. / Traitement chirurgical de l'avant-pied rhumatoïde par alignement par voie dorsale.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to appreciate the results of the modified Fowler's procedure in the surgical treatment of forefoot deformities due to rheumatoid arthritis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: If the principles of the metatarsophalangeal resection through a dorsal transverse incision were conserved, we progressively modified the initial procedure with renunciation to the plantar skin incision, preservation of a skin bridge between the medial and transverse dorsal approach, using centro medullary pins to hold in position toes alignment and making an arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Ten patients (17 surgical procedures) were clinically and roentgenographically reviewed at an average follow-up of 27.3 months (Range : 12 and 53 months). RESULTS: Clinical results according to the Gainor scale showed an increase of the overall score from 3.4 points to 11.2 points at revision. Twelve foot were rated excellents and five goods. Seventy per cent of patients had no pain and 58 per cent used a normal footwear. Radiographical and clinical analysis showed that an egyptian foot remained in nine cases, podoscopic examination revealed frequently a lack of footrest on lateral toes without functional implications. Delayed wound healing were observed in four cases with good evolution. CONCLUSION: With this surgical procedure, our functional results were encouraging and we recommend it in severe deformities of the rheumatoid foot with fixed metatarsophalangeal dislocations and bone defect of the metatarsal heads.