Cerclage-wiring-assisted fixation of difficult hand fractures

Difficult hand fractures with multiple butterfly fragments, multiple cortical splits or intraarticular extension continue to pose a challenge for optimal stable fixation that allows early postoperative mobilisation. In this study, we describe the use of cerclage-wire-assisted fixation of 17 difficult hand fractures in 16 patients. The cerclage wires helped to maintain the reduction, so providing sufficient initial stability for placement of a plate and screws. Stable fixation of the fracture was then accomplished without losing the reduction. One to three cerclages of stainless-steel wires were used for the preliminary fixation. Stable fixation was then accomplished by a bridging or neutralising plate technique. Postoperatively, the fixation was sufficiently stable to allow immediate mobilisation. With an average follow up of 44.5 months, all 17 fractures united without loss of reduction. At final follow-up, the average total active range of motion was 247 degrees (range 220-260 degrees ).

Factors that affect the healing index of metacarpal lengthening: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

To determine factors that affect healing index and consolidation time following lengthening of congenitally short metacarpals (brachymetacarpia).

METHODS

18 metacarpals of 8 young women (mean age, 18.6 years) were lengthened using the callus distraction technique. The results, including healing index and consolidation time, were analysed and compared with those in the literature.

RESULTS

The mean length increase was 16.5 mm (55% of the original length of 30 mm). Age was positively correlated with healing index and consolidation time: younger patients healed faster than older patients. Healing index differed significantly between patients aged 0 to 18 years and those aged 19 to 30 years (p=0.002). Comparison of our results with 9 previous studies confirmed that increased age was associated with a greater healing index and consolidation time. Conversely, the faster the distraction rate, the less the healing index and consolidation time.

CONCLUSION

Age has the most effect on healing index and consolidation time. Metacarpal lengthening using callus distraction is recommended. Adolescence is the most appropriate time to perform distraction lengthening of a congenitally short metacarpal. This will avoid additional lengthening of normal metacarpals prior to epiphyseal closure.

An in vitro analysis of ligament reconstruction or extension osteotomy on trapeziometacarpal joint stability and contact area

PURPOSE

Painful instability of the minimally osteoarthritic thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint can be treated successfully by either ligament reconstruction or metacarpal extension osteotomy. The purpose of this study was to measure the laxity of cadaveric thumb CMC joints and to determine the influence of ligament reconstruction and metacarpal osteotomy on joint laxity and contact area.

METHODS

The baseline laxity of CMC joints from 25 fresh-frozen human cadaveric specimens (average age, 42 y; range, 18-55 y) was measured in the position of lateral pinch on a custom-designed CMC joint laxity tester. Joint laxity was measured again after 2 surgical simulations consisting of either a metacarpal extension osteotomy (at 10 degrees and 15 degrees) or a simulated Eaton-Littler ligament reconstruction (including total, volar, and dorsal ligament reconstructions relative to the plane of the thumbnail). Contact area between the thumb metacarpal and trapezium during testing was determined using stereophotogrammetry.

RESULTS

The 15 degrees extension osteotomy significantly reduced CMC joint laxity in the radial-ulnar, dorsal-volar, pronation-supination, and distraction directions in the position of lateral pinch. The 10 degrees osteotomy reduced laxity only in the dorsal-volar direction. The total ligament reconstruction significantly reduced joint laxity in the radial-ulnar, dorsal-volar, and pronation-supination directions. The dorsal ligament reconstruction reduced laxity in the dorsal-volar direction only; the volar ligament reconstruction reduced laxity in both dorsovolar and radioulnar directions. The 10 degrees and 15 degrees osteotomies produced a dorsal shift of the weighted centroid of contact on the metacarpal and trapezium, whereas the ligament reconstruction did not produce such an effect.

CONCLUSIONS

In the position of lateral pinch the 15 degrees osteotomy and total ligament reconstruction significantly reduced laxity of the thumb CMC joint in all directions tested. The isolated dorsal or volar ligament reconstructions both reduced dorsal-volar laxity. Metacarpal extension osteotomy may stabilize the thumb CMC joint in lateral pinch to a degree similar to that of a standard ligament reconstruction.

Suspensionplasty with the abductor pollicis longus tendon for osteoarthritis in the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb

PURPOSE

Many surgical procedures have been described for treating painful osteoarthritis at the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb. This article reports our clinical and radiographic results in performing suspensionplasty using the abductor pollicis longus (APL) tendon without tendon interposition after a complete trapeziectomy for patients with painful osteoarthritis in the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb.

METHODS

Eighteen patients (2 men, 16 women), including 21 thumbs with advanced arthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint, who were treated by suspensionplasty using the APL tendon after a complete trapeziectomy were evaluated both clinically and radiographically. Ten thumbs were classified as stage III and 11 were classified as stage IV (Eaton's classification). The average follow-up period was 33.3 months.

RESULTS

All patients (18 patients, 21 thumbs) reported pain with daily use before surgery; after surgery 13 of the 21 thumbs had no pain, 5 thumbs had mild pain with strenuous activity, and the remaining 3 thumbs had mild pain with light work. At the final follow-up evaluation the radial and palmar abductions each were 56 degrees +/- 9 degrees and 56 degrees +/- 6 degrees. The grip and key-pinch strengths were 16 +/- 6 kg and 4 +/- 1 kg, respectively. The first metacarpal subsidence at rest was 15% and the additional subsidence when performing a 2-kg key pinch was 6% in the final follow-up radiographic findings.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that the APL suspensionplasty has a favorable outcome for painful osteoarthritis in the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb and that the APL tendon can be removed as a deforming force without any abduction weakness.

TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic, Level IV.

Extra-articular arthrodesis of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb

There are numerous surgical treatment options for instability and painful trapeziometacarpal arthrosis. The available surgical treatments are arthrodesis and trapeziectomy alone or with synthetic/biologic interpositions, osteotomy, and total joint replacement. However, there is no clear consensus regarding the appropriate surgical procedure, and a unique situation exists in which the surgeon can develop a successful hybrid technique based on his own philosophy and experience. Traditionally, ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition have been used for elderly patients with lower demands whereas arthrodesis has been reserved for the treatment of posttraumatic arthritis in high-demand, younger patients. Regarding the second case, when thumb carpometacarpal arthrodesis is indicated, the procedure provides a reliable and lasting treatment with satisfactory results. However, it is important to know the indications and contraindications, as well as benefits and risks of this procedure. Therefore, the surgical technique is straightforward, and fusion may be performed with either a plate-and-screw construct, power staples, tension band wiring with or without Kirschner wires, or alone with multiple Kirschner wires. However, in all the techniques, it is necessary to remove the articular surfaces of the metacarpal and trapezium apart from the need of autogenous bone graft to fill the defect between those bones from either the distal radius or iliac crest. In addition, later in almost all the cases, it is necessary to remove the metal work because of protrusion or skin intolerance. The technique described in this article is a modification of a sliding inlay metacarpal bone graft technique originally described by Müller in 1949 and, 52 years after, perfected by Doyle. However, and as opposed to these, with the extra-articular arthrodesis technique, it is not necessary to remove the articular surfaces, and the graft fixation is performed by 2 Herbert screws which, when buried into the bone, avoid the need to remove the metal work because of the protrusion under the skin. Therefore, this intervention easily permits to convert the arthrodesis to another method of treatment (implant arthroplasty or tendon interposition arthroplasty) by means of the resection of the bone bridge between the metacarpal and trapezium and proceed to the chosen surgical intervention.

Retrospective study of reverse dorsal metacarpal flap and compound flap: a review of 122 cases

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical application and discuss the operative indication of the reverse dorsal metacarpal flap and its compound flap on the skin defects of hand.

METHODS

From 1990 to 2003, we applied the reverse dorsal metacarpal flap and its compound flap to repair soft tissue defects of fingers in 122 cases, which included 90 cases of the reverse metacarpal flap and 32 cases of its compound flaps with tendon grafts, nerve grafts or bone grafts. Based on the follow-up observations, we analyzed the indications of the reverse metacarpal flap and its compound flaps, the postoperative contours, flap colors and textures in comparison to contralateral fingers retrospectively.

RESULTS

In the series of 122 cases, flaps survived and the donor site defects were closed directly. The follow-up period ranged from 1-12 years. The postoperative contours, colors and textures of the flaps and its compound flaps were similar to those of normal fingers, although linear scar remained. According to standards of sense recovery (British Medical Research Council, BMRC), the sense function of the flaps resumed S3 after operation for 1 year. In 10 cases with the tendon defects treated by the flap with tendon grafts, function of flexion-extension of fingers resumed 50%-75% in comparison to the contralateral fingers using the method of measurement of total active motion. In 7 cases with the phalangeal nonunion or bone defects treated by the flap with bone grafts, union occurred after operation for 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

To soft tissue defects on fingers with bone or tendon exposure, the reverse metacarpal flap and its compound flap are a better choice for repairing. The range of repairing is up to the distal interphalangeal joint of fingers. The second dorsal metacarpal artery is more consistent and larger as the choice of vascular pedicle, in comparison with other dorsal metacarpal arteries. Postoperative flap color and texture are similar to normal fingers.

Avulsion of the Extensor Carpi Radialis Brevis Insertion: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Injuries to the bases of the index finger and long finger metacarpals are unusual because of the stability of the carpometacarpal joints. Such stability is provided by the strong capsuloligamentous attachments and the unique bony architecture. Given the rare nature of these injuries, there is no consensus regarding the optimal management of avulsion fractures of the bases of the index finger and long finger metacarpals. Open reduction and internal fixation of the fracture, with anatomic repair of the extensor carpi radialis brevis or extensor carpi radialis longus, offers several advantages over closed treatment. A case report and a review of the literature are presented.

Transient talipes equinus deformity of bilateral lower limbs following malignant hyperthermia: a case report and review of literature

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a potentially fatal disease triggered by general anaesthesia. Four cases of compartment syndrome complicating MH have been reported. We report here a case of transient talipes equinus deformity of bilateral lower limbs, a condition similar to compartment syndrome, following MH in a previously healthy pediatric patient. MRI revealed high intensity in the bilateral soleus muscles but not in the gastrocnemius muscles. We discuss the possible mechanisms of the deformity of the lower limbs after the MH crisis.

Osteomyelitis der Mittelhand- und Handwurzelregion

AIM

Because of the low prevalence, there is poor evidence on the effective management of bone and joint infections of the carpus and metacarpus. We therefore studied the outcomes of patients undergoing surgical treatment at our department.

METHOD

We conducted a retrospective study on all patients operated on because of osteomyelitis of the carpus and metacarpus between January 1998 and June 2004. Main study endpoint were the infection control rate at end of treatment and at time of follow-up.

RESULTS

Of eleven subjects (nine men, two women) with a median age of 43 years (range, 19 to 79 years) serial débridement with temporary wound closure and surgical fixation proved successful in ten cases. We identified causative pathogens in ten cases (S. aureus: n = 3, P. aeruginosa: n = 3, mixed: n = 4) by intraoperative biopsy. Eight subjects received local or free tissue flaps. A 73 year old man died in hospital. Follow-up information was available for eight patients after a median of 19.5 months (range: 3 to 61 months). Seven of them did not show signs of recurrent infection.

CONCLUSION

Adhering to accepted standards of treating osteomyelitis, satisfactory control rates in carpal and metacarpal infection can be achieved while salvaging the hand.

Percutaneous leverage pinning in the treatment of Bennett's fracture

Twelve patients (eleven males, one female; mean age 36 years) with Bennett's fracture having a gap or a step-off of more than 2 mm and in whom maintenance of the reduced position was difficult were treated by percutaneous leverage pinning. Bone union was obtained in all patients, and the wire was removed 37 days on average after the initial treatment. On the final follow-up examination, mild pain with motion was noted in two patients, and moderate to severe pain was noted in one patient. The reduction of the articular surface of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb was confirmed by radiography; it was less than 1 mm in nine patients, less than 2 mm in two, and more than 2 mm in one. Because reduction and fixation are performed utilizing the leverage force of the wire inserted into the trapezium, percutaneous pinning has advantages, such as technical simplicity and the ability to apply tension to the fractured site.

[Resection arthroplasty of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb - results of 132 cases]

BACKGROUND

Resection arthroplasty of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb is considered to be the most frequently used surgical treatment for arthrosis of the trapeziometacarpal joint. To avoid proximalisation and to improve stability of the first metacarpal, tendon-sling resectional arthroplasties have gained general approvement. To further simplify surgery, we have used a surgical technique since 1995, that consists in a fixation of the first metacarpal with local capsular tissue.

METHOD AND CLINICAL MATERIAL

From 2000 to 2001, 152 resections of the trapezium were performed in 147 patients with arthrosis of the first carpometacarpal joint. 48 surgical procedures included a tendon-sling arthroplasty; in 104 cases stabilisations of the first metacarpal were achieved by fixing local radiopalmar capsular tissue to the flexor-carpi-radialis tendon. After a mean follow-up of 30 months (18 to 41 months), patients were asked to complete a questionnaire concerning pain, physical strength, practical skills, maximal physical capacity and aesthetic result. The general surgical result had to be scored and the recovery time until the thumb could be used for activities of daily living had to be recorded.

RESULTS

132 of 152 questionnaires, 43 of the patients with tendon-sling arthroplasty and 89 of the patients with arthroplasty with local radiopalmar capsular tissue, were returned. After tendon-sling arthroplasty, 69.8 % of the patients judged their results to be good or very good, after stabilisation with radiopalmar capsular tissue 69.7 % of the patients valued their surgical results good or very good. Unsatisfactory results were found in 18.6 % of the patients after tendon-sling arthroplasty and in 19.1 % of the patients after stabilisation with radiopalmar capsular tissue. The thumb could be used for every-day life after a mean time of 6.7 months. There was no significant difference between the operative procedures.

CONCLUSION

The collected data implies that resection-arthroplasty of the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb with stabilisation by radiopalmar capsular tissue yields similar results compared to tendon-sling arthroplasty.

An isolated ring finger metacarpal shaft fracture?--beware an associated little finger carpometacarpal joint dislocation

Dislocations of the ulnar carpometacarpal joint are easily missed because of a low index of suspicion as well as their subtle clinical and radiological features. Often, the presence of a more obvious adjacent injury also draws attention away from the carpometacarpal joint. Two cases of ring finger metacarpal shaft fractures with associated little finger carpometacarpal joint dislocations are presented. In both cases, the metacarpal fractures were diagnosed but the carpometacarpal joint dislocations were initially overlooked. The presence of an apparently isolated ring finger metacarpal fracture due to an indirect force should raise the possibility of an associated carpometacarpal joint injury.

Results from a degradable TMC joint Spacer (Artelon) compared with tendon arthroplasty

PURPOSE

A new spacer for the trapeziometacarpal joint (TMC) based on a biological and tissue-preserving concept for the treatment of TMC osteoarthritis (OA) has been evaluated. The purpose was to combine a spacing effect with stabilization of the TMC joint.

METHODS

Artelon (Artimplant AB, Sweden) TMC Spacer is synthesized of a degradable polyurethaneurea (Artelon), which has been shown to be biocompatible over time and currently is used in ligament augmentation procedures. Fibers of the polymer were woven into a T-shaped device in which the vertical portion separates the bone edges of the TMC joint and the horizontal portion stabilizes the joint. Fifteen patients with disabling pain and isolated TMC OA were included in the study. Ten patients received the spacer device and the remaining 5 (control group) were treated with a trapezium resection arthroplasty with abductor pollicis longus (APL) stabilization. The median ages of the 2 groups were 60 and 59 years, respectively. Pain, strength, stability, and range of motion were measured before and after surgery. Radiographic examination was performed in all patients before and after surgery. At follow-up evaluation 3 years after surgery an unbiased observer evaluated all patients. Biopsy specimens were obtained from 1 patient 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

All patients were stable clinically without signs of synovitis. In both groups all patients were pain free. The median values for both key pinch and tripod pinch increased compared with before surgery in the spacer group but not in the APL group. The biopsy examinations showed incorporation of the device in the surface of the adjacent bone and the surrounding connective tissue. No signs of foreign-body reaction were seen.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed significantly better pinch strength after Artelon TMC Spacer implantation into the TMC joint compared with APL arthroplasty.

Gas Arthroscopy for Removal of Osteochondral Fragments of the Palmar/Plantar Aspect of the Metacarpo/Metatarsophalangeal Joint in Horses

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the use of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) gas for joint distention during arthroscopy for removal of osteochondral (OC) fragments of the palmar/plantar aspect of the metacarpo (MCP)/metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints in horses.

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical study.

ANIMALS

Horses (26) with OC fragment(s) of palmar/plantar aspect of 1 or 2 MCP/MTP joint(s).

METHODS

OC fragments were removed using arthroscopic technique. Joint distention was maintained by isotonic Ringer's acetate at the beginning and at the end of the procedure but during fragment removal, CO(2) was used for joint distention. After surgery, fragment removal was confirmed by radiography. Horses were discharged the day after surgery, and outcome was determined by telephone contact 3-24 months later.

RESULTS

CO(2) joint distention resulted in a sharp image without villi obscuring the operative field. Fragments were identified and completely removed in all horses except one where a 1 mm x 3 mm radiodense body was seen on postoperative radiographs. In 5 horses, bleeding from the arthroscopic or instrument portal precluded optimal visualization when the joint was distended by gas; however, repeatedly rinsing the tip of the arthroscope with Ringer's acetate solution delivered from the fluid ingress line easily restored joint visualization. No specific complications were observed postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Joint distention by CO(2) permitted optimal visualization of the palmar/plantar aspect of the MCP/MTP joints, which facilitated fragment removal.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Gas arthroscopy is a useful technique for removal of OC fragments of the palmar/plantar aspect of the MCP/MTP joints in horses.

Thumb carpometacarpal arthroscopy: a topographic, anatomic study of the thenar portal

Arthroscopic treatment of osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint has been well described; however, the current site of the 2 working portals, especially the 1-R portal, may be complicated by neurovascular morbidity. This is owing to the close proximity of these portals to important nerves and vessels surrounding the carpometacarpal joint. We studied 7 cadaveric wrists to map out the topographic, anatomic, and arthroscopic position of a new thenar portal. We hypothesized that it would increase considerably the safe zone distances of the portal from vital structures of the joint compared with the traditional portals. This study showed that the thenar portal increases considerably the safe zone of the portal from the sensory branches of the radial nerve and the radial artery and does not put the motor branch of the median nerve at risk. In addition the thenar portal allows for better visualization of the carpometacarpal joint, which leads to improved ability to perform arthroscopic trapeziectomy.

Silastic replacement of metacarpal after resection of giant cell tumour. A case report

Giant cell tumours are aggressive lesions, albeit benign. Lesions in the hand, especially those arising from metacarpals require resection with adequate margins and definitive structural reconstructions to ensure preservation of hand architecture, function and cosmesis. Almost all the described reconstructive procedures require a stump of tumour free metacarpal base after resection, for reconstruction of the metacarpal. This report describes replacement of the entire metacarpal with a silastic prosthesis, in a case of giant cell tumour involving the entire metacarpal head and shaft to within 7 mm of the base.

Low-severity metacarpal and phalangeal fractures treated with miniature plates and screws

INTRODUCTION

The results reported in the literature of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures treated with miniature plates and screws are scarce and contradictory. The aim of our study was to evaluate the functional results after low-severity metacarpal and phalangeal fractures treated by miniature plates and screws.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 44 patients of a consecutive series with 56 low-severity metacarpal and/or phalangeal fractures stabilized with miniature plates and screws with a mean follow-up of 24 months to assess objective and subjective outcomes and complications. The objective assessment included measurement of the range of motion (ROM) of the involved finger, prehension, sensory function and strength. The subjective evaluation assessed the impairment and pain felt by the patient.

RESULTS

At the final check-up, average total active movement of the involved digit was 256 degrees (range 175 degrees -260 degrees ), and average score for prehension was 49.3 (range 30-50), with 41 patients with a full score. The Jamar test pointed to a significant reduction in grip strength (-5.2%) of the injured hand compared with the other hand. Average subjective impairment score for all the fractures was 15.5 (range 10-16), with 39 patients having a score between 16 and 14 (no impairment). Fracture reduction was anatomic in 42 fractures (75%), satisfactory in 11 (19.6%) and unsatisfactory in 3 (5.4%). There were no contractures, non-unions, infections or tendon ruptures. Twenty patients (45%) presented with one or more complications in 23 fractures (41.1%).

CONCLUSION

These very favourable results suggest that miniature plates and screws are a possible choice in the treatment of these fractures.