[Acute diseases and trauma of thorax and abdomen in patients with hemocontact viral infections]

Screening of hemocontact viral infections (HVI) (HIV, hepatitis B and C) was conducted among patients of the emergency thoraco-abdominal surgery unit. During the 8 years of the study the HVI detection had increased on 57.4%. Gender analysis showed greater HVI prevalence among men. Medico-social criteria of HVI risk-groups among patients of the emergency thoraco-abdominal surgery unit were stated.

New approaches to diagnosis and arthroscopic management of partial-thickness cuff tears

Partial-thickness cuff tears (PTCTs) are increasingly recognized as a source of pain and athletic impairment, especially in overhead athletes. 1,2 Improvements in diagnostic imaging have enhanced the ability to detect and quantify partial cuff disease, and arthroscopic advances have led to novel techniques by which partial cuff tears can be repaired. 2-6 Despite increasing recognition and improved understanding of this condition, the natural history, clinical evaluation, and management of partial tears remain elusive. This is because of the disparity between the extent of partial cuff tearing and the wide variability in clinical impairment and the frequent overlay of concomitant labral and subacromial pathology. When should operating on an athlete with a partial cuff tear be considered? What percentage of cuff tear justifies repair rather than debridement? Does this threshold vary according to the athlete or sport? And if the partial tear is repaired, what can be expected in terms of return to activity, particularly in a high-level thrower? The purpose of this manuscript is to provide an overview of partial cuff tears and their evaluation and management.

Workstyle as a predictor of pain and restricted work associated with upper extremity disorders: a prospective study

PURPOSE

A patient's reaction to a perceived increase in work demand may be related to his or her upper limb symptoms. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a brief measure of a patient's perception of how they respond to perceived increases in demands at work predicts pain levels and work status 6 months after an initial consultation with a hand surgeon.

METHODS

Working patients with diverse upper extremity diagnoses completed a measure of response to job stress at their first clinic visit and were followed for 6 months during their prescribed treatment course. Controlling for age, gender, job type, diagnosis, patient perceptions of work-relatedness, baseline pain, grip strength, and treatment (surgery vs no surgery) analyses were conducted to determine whether self-reported response to perceived job stress was associated with pain and work status 6 months after the initial consultation.

RESULTS

Higher scores on the patient-reported job stress measure predicted higher levels of pain at 6 months. The measure was also a modest but significant predictor of work status at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluation of a working patient's self-reported cognitive and behavioral response to perceived increases in work demands, or what has been referred to as workstyle, predicts subsequent levels of upper extremity pain and work status. Generalization to other practice settings requires further study. This measure provides a brief evaluation of reaction to job stress that can be an important factor in certain patients with upper extremity symptoms. Future controlled studies addressing this aspect of the clinical picture are indicated.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic IV.

Are "knife and fork" good enough for day case surgery of resistant tennis elbow?

This observational retrospective study was performed on 22 consecutive patients treated surgically in a day surgery unit for resistant tennis elbow to ascertain the effectiveness of the "knife and fork" procedure. All patients had an unfavourable response to nonsurgical treatment lasting at least six months. A simple and inexpensive "knife and fork" technique yielded excellent results in 90.5% of patients and a high percentage (95.2%) of satisfied patients at an average follow-up of two years. There were no fair or poor results and no complications. We conclude that the "knife and fork" technique is a simple and dependable day case procedure. In the present National Health Service (NHS) era of tariff and "payment by results", this approach is more cost effective than an arthroscopic alternative.

[Ulnar neuropathy in a poultry worker]

Three months after he was employed as a poultry worker, a 48-year-old man developed involuntary jerks of his right first, fourth, and fifth fingers, paraesthesiae, weakness, and eventually wasting of the first dorsal interosseous muscle. His job entailed repetitive lifting of boxes weighing 10-25 kg with flexion of the elbow, pronation of the forearm, and ulnar deviation of the wrist. A nerve conduction study indicated ulnar neuropathy just distal to the elbow. Surgery at this level alleviated the symptoms, but shortly after his return to work, he changed jobs because of aggravation.

Use of pubic symphysis curettage for treatment-resistant osteitis pubis in athletes

BACKGROUND

In athletes, osteitis pubis is regarded as a problem of overuse, with instability and movement of the anterior pelvis. There is no evidence to conclusively support any treatment modality. Recovery with nonoperative management can take an extended period of time, often unsatisfactory for professional athletes.

HYPOTHESIS

Curettage of the pubic symphysis is a viable option for nonoperative treatment of resistant osteitis pubis in athletes.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

This retrospective study presents the results of curettage of the pubic symphysis in 23 athletes with osteitis pubis that was refractory to initial nonoperative therapies. Patients met the criteria for the study if they had symptoms suggestive of osteitis pubis and underwent isolated pubic symphysis curettage. The discomfort had been present for a mean of 13.22 months before presentation. Patients were reviewed at 24.31 months (range, 12.5-59.6 months) postoperatively. Twelve of the patients also underwent a postoperative magnetic resonance imaging scan at 19.10 months; any findings of residual osteitis pubis were noted.

RESULTS

Mean visual analog scale for pain improved from 6.9 preoperatively to 2.8 postoperatively (P = .36). Twenty-one patients returned to pain-free running by 3.14 months (range, 1.5-6 months), 17 to training by 4.44 months (range, 2.5-7 months), and 16 to full activity by 5.63 months (range, 2.5-12 months). Overall, 61% of patients reported an activity grade of 4 at postoperative review, defined as no pain with full activity. There were no significant postoperative complications in the study group. Marrow edema improved in most cases for which magnetic resonance imaging was available preoperatively and postoperatively. Patient satisfaction with the procedure was high, with 78% of participants feeling their symptoms were better or much better than preoperatively.

CONCLUSION

The authors suggest that this relatively simple procedure can be of significant benefit to those athletes wishing to return to their previous levels of physical activity when more nonoperative measures have proven unsuccessful.

Exertional leg pain: teasing out arterial entrapments

Vascular causes of exertional lower extremity pain are relatively rare, but may be the answer in athletes refractory to treatment for the more common overuse syndromes of the lower extremities. It is important to differentiate these vascular causes from chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS), medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), and stress fractures in order to develop appropriate treatment plans, avoid complications, and return athletes to play expeditiously. Important vascular etiologies to be considered are popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES), endofibrotic disease, popliteal artery aneurysm, cystic adventitial disease, and peripheral arterial dissections. The diagnostic workup involves angiography or noninvasive vascular studies such as Doppler ultrasound or magnetic resonance angiography in both the neutral and provocative positions. Treatment of these vascular abnormalities typically involves surgical correction of the vascular anomaly.

Superior Bennett lesion: a bone fragment at the posterosuperior glenoid rim in 5 athletes

In throwing athletes, a Bennett lesion is a bony spur that usually forms at the posteroinferior glenoid rim and sometimes becomes painful. We encountered superior Bennett lesions in the shoulders of 5 athletes, which were detected at the posterosuperior glenoid rim as a separate bone fragment. In all 5 athletes this lesion appeared to be the main cause of shoulder pain during throwing or overhead activity. The lesions were easily visualized on plain radiographs (axial view, scapular Y view, and 45 degrees craniocaudal view) or computed tomography scans. Tenderness was detected over the posterior aspect of the glenohumeral joint, the pain provocation test specific for SLAP lesions was positive, and posterior shoulder pain was elicited by forced external rotation at 90 degrees of abduction in all 5 cases. The pain was diminished or decreased by injection of local anesthetic around the lesion. At arthroscopy, detachment of the posterosuperior labrum and posterior capsular tightness were detected in all 5 cases. Through the detached portion of the posterosuperior labrum, we could easily reach an unstable mobile bone fragment, which was resected arthroscopically. Although the pathologic mechanism is unclear, the mobility of the bone fragment appeared to be related to the occurrence of symptoms.

A unique case of ulnar tunnel syndrome in a bicyclist requiring operative release

The continued growth of recreational and competitive sports is accompanied by the need for health care providers to recognize and treat conditions in athletes that have been traditionally associated with other occupational injury. This is particularly important when early diagnosis and prompt intervention for prevention and treatment may alter the outcome. We present an interesting case of ulnar tunnel syndrome in a high-performance bicyclist with compressive ulnar neuropathy refractory to nonoperative management but successfully treated with surgical release. We review evaluation, diagnosis, and historical and current treatment algorithms.

Radial artery aneurysm resulting from repetitive occupational injury: Tailor's thumb

INTRODUCTION

True radial artery aneurysms are very rare and a cause is rarely identified.

CASE REPORT

An unusual case of a true radial artery aneurysm in a tailor of fifty years; presenting with a growing, tender lump at the base of his thumb.

DISCUSSION

Radial artery aneurysms are classically pseudoaneurysms from iatrogenic traumatic injury - arterial cannulation. This is the first case in the literature to demonstrate a true aneurysm secondary to repetitive occupational injury.

Surgical treatment of iliotibial band friction syndrome with the mesh technique

Iliotibial band friction syndrome is an overuse injury caused by repetitive friction of the iliotibial band across the lateral femoral epicondyle. It has been reported to afflict long-distance runners, cyclists and military personnel. Initial treatments include rest, anti-inflammatory medication, modalities (ice or heat), stretching, physical therapy, and possibly a corticosteroid injection. If the conservative treatment is unsuccessful, surgery has been advocated. This report describes a new surgical technique to release the pressure on the lateral femoral epicondyle in a patient who failed the nonoperative efforts. The surgery was performed with the knee held in 30 degrees of flexion and consisted of multiple 2 mm long incisions across the fiber of the iliotibial band covering the lateral femoral epicondyle. There were six incisions, each of which was 4 mm apart. The incisions were spontaneously enlarged and changed to several punctured wounds (mesh appearance) by the tension of iliotibial band, resulted in relaxing the tight iliotibial band over the lateral femoral epicondyle. At the final follow-up 2 years after surgery the patient was pain free and could resume his previous occupational activities. The surgical result of the present technique is encouraging.

Outcome of modified open surgery in tennis elbow

BACKGROUND

Tennis elbow is a common disorder of upper extremity. It can be treated conservatively in majority of the patients but some resistant cases eventually need surgery.

MATERIAL & METHODS

This descriptive study was conducted at Department of Orthopaedics, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad, from January 2002 to June 2006. Sixteen patients had surgical release of the extensor tendon origin along with excision of the lateral epicondyle ridge. These patients did not respond to conservative treatment i.e. rest, non- steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), local steroid injections and physiotherapy. Patients were followed upto six months. Outcome was graded as excellent, good and poor according to pain relief and function of the hand.

RESULTS

Sixteen patients (17 elbows) were studied. Thirteen were female (81.25%) and three were male (18.75%). Fifteen patients (93.75%) had unilateral Tennis Elbow, while one had bilateral involvement (6.25%). In unilateral disease, right side was affected in eleven patients (68.75%) and left side in four (25%). Excellent outcome was noticed in eleven patients (68.75%) and good result in five patient (31.25%).

CONCLUSION

Open surgical technique of releasing extensor tendon origin along with excision of lateral condylar ridge of the humerus is new and simple procedure and yields excellent and good result in patients with resistant Tennis Elbow.

Arthroscopic patellar release for the treatment of chronic patellar tendinopathy

We describe an arthroscopic technique for the treatment of chronic patellar tendinopathy (jumper's knee). Preoperatively, tendon necrosis or rupture is excluded by sonography. Diagnostic arthroscopy is performed and hypertrophic synovitis around the inferior patellar pole is removed with a bipolar cautery system. Two outside-in cannulas mark the clinically symptomatic region, mainly found between the tendon insertion site and the lateral aspects of the patellar tendon. The bipolar cautery is used for a release of the paratenon and a bone denervation at the inferior patellar pole including the tendon insertion site within the marked area. No tendon or bone material is removed or excised throughout the procedure. We treated 15 athletes with stage 3 and 4 chronic patellar tendinopathies on a modified version of the Blazina score (0-5). Patients' mean age was 29 years and the mean follow-up period was 41 months. In 13 cases, clinical symptoms subsided completely within 3 months after surgery. The mean preoperative Blazina score was 3.7 (SD, 0.5) and the mean postoperative Blazina score was 0.4 (SD, 1.0; paired 2-tailed t test, P < .01). Ultrasound showed a reduction of tendon edema within 3 weeks and no signs of edema within a mean period of 5 weeks after surgery. The minimal surgical impact to the tendon allows early and functional rehabilitation. The technique is effective, easy to perform, and safe to apply.

Patient selection

Patient selection is the process by which an evaluating surgeon decides whether to accept responsibility for the care and treatment of a potential patient. It is assumed the physician has the requisite knowledge to assess the anatomic disorder and the technical ability to render appropriate care if needed. The aim of this article is to help the less experienced health care professional sort out which patients, either by true psychological disorder or personality and behavioral traits, pose the highest risk of a poor outcome. An unsatisfactory outcome can be measured not only by failure to resolve the disorder but also by expenditure of a disproportionate amount of practice resources in achieving resolution of the problem.

Unstable isolated SLAP lesion: clinical presentation and outcome of arthroscopic fixation

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical presentation and sensitivity of testing of unstable isolated SLAP (superior labrum anterior posterior) lesions and to evaluate the efficacy of arthroscopic treatment.

TYPE OF STUDY

Case series.

METHODS

A retrospective review was made of 44 unstable SLAP lesions in 41 patients (40 male, 1 female) who did not have other pathologic shoulder findings. The mean follow-up period was 33 months (range, 25 to 67 months) and the mean age at the time of surgery was 24 years (range, 17 to 43 years). Twenty-six patients had an injury on the dominant shoulder and 3 had bilateral shoulder involvement. Arthroscopic fixation was performed with the use of a biodegradable tack (Suretac; Acufex, Mansfield, MA) in 14 cases, and with a screw-type metallic suture anchor (mini-Revo; Linvatec, Largo, FL) in 30 cases.

RESULTS

Pain (100%) and clicking (57%) were the most common symptoms. The compression-rotation test was positive in 84% of the patients before surgery. The average UCLA score at the last follow-up was 32.3 points; 22 cases were graded excellent, 16 good, and 6 poor. Based on the postoperative performance data collected from 33 athletes, 25 of them (76%) were able to return to their athletic activities. Among them, throwing athletes showed statistically better performance than did nonthrowing athletes (P = .011).

CONCLUSIONS

Pain, followed by clicking, was the most common symptom, and the most common sign was a positive compression rotation test. Arthroscopic treatment of unstable isolated SLAP lesions resulted in good or excellent UCLA scores in 86% of the patients. Throwing athletes showed more satisfactory results than nonthrowing athletes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Type IV, case series with no, or historical, control group.

Chronic compartment syndrome, an important cause of work-related upper limb disorder

OBJECTIVES

Work-related upper limb disorders (WRULD) are common and disabling complaints in industry, but a tissue diagnosis can be difficult where the pain is diffuse and variable, and this prevents effective treatment. Diffuse arm pain is frequently found in those doing rapid or strenuous repetitive work, such as factory assembly workers or keyboard operators. Similar symptoms occur in the legs in athletes, where chronic compartment syndrome (CCS) is a recognized entity, so we investigated the possibility that this might also be caused by prolonged repetitive work.

METHODS

Patients were selected if they were unable to continue with work because of chronic forearm pain. They were divided into three groups: 42 patients with symptoms consistent with CCS as defined in the text, 15 volunteers and patients with other arm complaints, and 10 asymptomatic arms of patients with unilateral CCS. We measured the pressure inside the extensor muscle compartment of the forearm at rest and after a 2 min repetitive gripping exercise using an electronic pressure-sensitive probe.

RESULTS

The results show that CCS is a common and disabling forearm complaint associated with prolonged repetitive work. Fifteen patients have now had decompressive surgery on the extensor muscle compartment with good relief of symptoms.

CONCLUSION

CCS is responsible for chronic peripheral neurological dysfunction in addition to muscle pain, and awareness of this diagnosis allows early identification and treatment of a currently unrecognized disorder with potential resolution of a long-lasting arm disability.

Treatment of glenohumeral subluxation using electrothermal capsulorrhaphy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to review the results of a relatively homogenous group of patients with glenohumeral subluxation without labral pathology who were treated with an electrothermal capsulorrhaphy procedure.

TYPE OF STUDY

Case series without controls.

METHODS

From 1997 to 1998, 42 patients underwent electrothermal capsulorrhaphy using a monopolar radiofrequency probe (Oratec Interventions, Menlo Park, CA). Patients with prior capsular repairs, labral pathology that required repair, or capsular avulsion injuries were excluded from the study. Thirty-one patients met the inclusion criteria. Patients had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up (mean, 25 months), and a mean age of 25 years (range, 16 to 38 years). All of the patients had previously failed conservative treatment. There were 25 patients with unidirectional anterior instability, 2 patients with unidirectional inferior instability, 1 patient with unidirectional posterior instability, and 3 patients with multidirectional instability. The patients were assessed using a modified American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score that examined pain (30 points), function (60 points), and patient satisfaction (10 points). In addition, subjective stability was assessed using a 10-point scale.

RESULTS

The average modified ASES score increased to 88 points from 56 preoperatively (P < .01). The average subjective stability scale increased to 8.5 from 4.4 preoperatively (P < .01). Nineteen patients (61%) had an excellent result, 4 (13%) had a good result, 5 (16%) had a fair result, and 3 (10%) had a poor result; 22 of 26 patients who participated in sports were able to return to their preinjury level of play. The subset of patients with isolated anterior instability had results similar to the overall group. There were no instances of axillary neuritis or other neurologic injury.

CONCLUSIONS

In carefully selected patients with shoulder instability, including unidirectional anterior instability without associated labral pathology, electrothermal capsulorrhaphy was effective and had few complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, case series without controls.

Paratendinopathy

Because most Achilles tendon injuries take place in sports and there has been a general increase in the popularity of sporting activities, the number and incidence of Achilles tendon overuse injuries have increased in the industrialized countries during the last few decades. The term "Achilles paratendinopathy" is used in clinical practice to describe activity-related Achilles pain combined with tenderness on palpation, providing that there is no suspicion of intratendinous pathology on the basis of patient history, clinical examination, or imaging examinations. This article discusses Achilles paratendinopathy.

[Epiphysiolysis capitis femoris caused by a repeat minor trauma]

We discuss the case of a 14-year-old boy who, after two episodes of mild recurrent sports trauma, presented with restricted mobility of the right hip due to substantial pain. Radiography revealed an acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis affecting the right femoral head. We report on the successful emergency osteosynthesis, and follow-up. On the basis of the current literature, we also discuss the clinical course of this lesion.

Sports activity after arthroscopic superior labral repair using suture anchors in overhead-throwing athletes

PURPOSE

To evaluate the results of arthroscopic repair of type II superior labral anterior posterior lesions of the shoulder in overhead athletes.

HYPOTHESIS

Such repair is useful for overhead athletes in terms of postoperative sports activity.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

The study group was composed of 40 patients with a mean age of 24 years (range, 15-38 years); mean follow-up was 41 months (range, 24-58 months). They were divided into an overuse (n=22) and a trauma group (n=18). The authors used 2 suture anchors loaded with a nonabsorbable suture at the 11-o'clock and 1-o'clock positions through the anterosuperior and lateral trans-rotator cuff portal. A modified Rowe score and postoperative athletic activities were evaluated.

RESULTS

After arthroscopic repair, mean modified Rowe scores improved from 27.5 to 92.1 points (P<.0001). Rated on this scale, the results were excellent in 30 (75%), good in 6 (15%), and fair in 4 (10%) athletes; there were no poor results. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved in 36 (90%) of these patients; 30 (75%) experienced a return to the preinjury level. The complete return rate of baseball players in the overuse group was lower than that of other overhead athletes in the trauma group.

CONCLUSION

Arthroscopic superior labral repair is a safe and reliable procedure in overhead athletes.

Femoroacetabul�res Impingement

The exact cause of the idiopathic osteoarthritis of the hip has not been identified, although the cause of hip degeneration in developmental dysplasia can clearly be attributed to an excessive axial loading. Based on the development of a surgical technique for the safe surgical dislocation of the hip and the associated possibility of intraoperative joint evaluation, we have found motion-induced joint damage in many of these hips. This begins peripherally at the acetabular rim, progressing centrally. This so-called "femoroacetabular impingement" (FAI), leads, by an increased acetabular coverage and/or a missing sphericity of the femoral head, to an abutment of the femoral head/neck junction against the acetabular rim, or even entering of the non-spherical femoral head into the hip. It initiates damage to the labrum and/or acetabular cartilage. Frequently, this becomes symptomatic in the second or third decade of life in patients with increased sport activity. Based on the predominance of the acetabular or femoral pathology, two different types of FAI, the pincer and the cam can be differentiated. Apart from these morphological alterations, supraphysiological mobility and overuse can contribute to FAI. The impingement concept has led to a new type of mainly intracapsular hip surgery.