Radioulnar joint fusion for distal radioulnar joint instability

Each one of this small group of patients illustrates a rare indication for the radioulnar joint fusion procedure in distal radioulnar joint instability. The case histories tell of a last ditch effort to salvage function in an extremity crippled by painful radioulnar instability after excision of the distal ulna. The fusions healed slowly and two required repeat surgery to achieve union. Today we would routinely add iliac bone graft to the fusion area to hasten healing. Rarely indicated, this is a salvage procedure that is done after failure of other procedures geared to preserve the rotation of the forearm. These patients all had successful salvage of their extremities for activities of daily living, but only one returned to his labor job. All were worker's compensation cases in physical jobs. Two patients had had prior radiocarpal fusions, making them even more restricted in function. This procedure should be kept in mind to be used in the rare cases of painful instability of the distal radioulnar joint when traditional motion-preserving procedures have failed.     

Effects of joint mobilization on joint stiffness and active motion of the metacarpal-phalangeal joint

Joint mobilization is a common technique used to restore joint motion; however, documentation of its effectiveness is lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine if joint mobilization is effective in counteracting joint stiffness and decreased active range of motion of the metacarpal-phalangeal joint. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant increase in range of motion in those patients who received joint mobilization. Eighteen subjects who had been immobilized for the treatment of metacarpal fractures were randomly assigned to a treatment group that received joint mobilization or a control group that received no treatment. Measurements of active range of motion and torque range of motion prior to and after treatment/rest sessions were obtained for three sessions over a 1 week period. Analyses of variance were performed on the mean changes in excursion between groups and across sessions. The joint mobilization resulted in a significantly greater increase in excursion for subjects in the treatment group over subjects in the control group (p < 0.05). Joint mobilization does appear to be able to counteract the effects of immobilization and alter joint mechanics. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1992;16(1):30-36.     

Relationship between joint laxity and radio-ulno-carpal joint morphology

The relationships between wrist laxity, ulnar variance, sigmoid notch inclination, and lunotriquetral motion were analysed in 60 normal volunteers. A strong correlation between ulnar length and sigmoid notch inclination was found for the entire group. Joint laxity was found to correlate with ulnar variance and lunotriquetral mobility in women, but not in men. The greater the laxity, the shorter the ulna and the greater the lunotriquetral motion during radial to ulnar deviation. These results support the concept that laxity increases the vulnerability of the wrist to injury.     

Endoprosthetic joint replacement of the contracted elbow joint

In a retrospective study 14 patients were reviewed 63 months after the implantation of a semi-constrained total elbow prosthesis in fourteen stiff or ankylosed elbows with a preoperative range of elbow motion of 30 degrees or less. The result, according to the Mayo Elbow Performance score, was excellent for four elbows, good for four, fair for one, and poor for five. The average arc of flexion improved from 7 to 68 degrees postoperatively with an average increase of 34 degrees in flexion, and 27 degrees in extension. There were seven complications affecting seven of the 14 elbows and four of these seven elbows underwent a revision procedure. Replacement for a stiff elbow is the least predictable, has the lowest overall rate of success and highest complication rate, than any other procedure. Nevertheless, these disadvantages must be placed in the context of alternative intervention options. The semiconstrained total elbow arthroplasty seems to be a useful option for patients older than 50 years with intrinsic stiffness involving more than 50% of the articular surface and with an ankylosed or very stiff elbow.     

Elbow joint

The elbow joint is a key joint for positioning of the hand. Four operations have to be considered for the rheumatoid elbow: removal of rheumatoid nodules and bursectomy, resection of the radial head, synovectomy, and arthroplasty. Synovectomy and arthroplasty are carefully analyzed, both from the point of view of recent international literature as well as personal experience. Synovectomy of the elbow is highly effective even when performed relatively late (stage 3 according to Larsen-Dahle-Eek) insofar as pain relief and swelling are concerned. In long-term disease, deterioration as assessed by radiology can usually not be prevented, but clinical improvement may be the reason for the relatively rare indication for arthroplasty. According to recent literature, the results of elbow arthroplasty vary greatly. Fully constrained hinges should no longer be used, and no decision has been made so far on whether semiconstrained or nonconstrained surface replacement is preferred. We use the semiconstrained GSB Mark II prosthesis, which has provided results in nearly 50 cases that rank among the best reported from the point of view of pain relief, improvement of ROM, and low complication rate. Use of our so-called transtricipital approach to the elbow has proved particularly valuable, especially with regard to lack of extension and muscle strength.     

Provocative sacroiliac joint maneuvers and sacroiliac joint block are unreliable for diagnosing sacroiliac joint pain

Mapping studies of pain elicited by injections into the sacroiliac joints (SIJs) suggest that sacroiliac joint syndrome (SIJS) may manifest as low back pain, sciatica, or trochanteric pain. Neither patient-reported symptoms nor provocative SIJ maneuvers are sensitive or specific for SIJS when SIJ block is used as the diagnostic gold standard. This has led to increasing diagnostic use of SIJ block, a procedure in which an anesthetic is injected into the joint under arthrographic guidance. However, several arguments cast doubt on the validity of SIJ block as a diagnostic gold standard. Thus, the effects of two consecutive blocks are identical in only 60% of cases, and the anesthetic diffuses out of the joint in 61% of cases, often coming into contact with the sheaths of the adjacent nerve trunks or roots, including the lumbosacral trunk (which may contribute to pain in the groin or thigh) and the L5 and S1 nerve roots. These data partly explain the limited specificity of SIJ block for the diagnosis of SIJS and the discordance between the pain elicited by the arthrography injection and the response to the block. The limitations of provocative maneuvers and SIJ blocks may stem in part from a contribution of extraarticular ligaments to the genesis of pain believed to originate within the SIJs. These ligaments include the expansion of the iliolumbar ligaments, the dorsal and ventral sacroiliac ligaments, the sacrospinous ligaments, and the sacrotuberous ligaments (sacroiliac joint lato-sensu). They play a role in locking or in allowing motion of the SIJs. Glucocorticoids may diffuse better than anesthetics within these ligaments. Furthermore, joint fusion may result in ligament unloading.     

Position of the knee joint after total joint arthroplasty

A method for assessing knee joint position after surgery using the preoperative long-leg radiograph and the postoperative knee radiograph is described. Assessment of the formula has shown a near perfect correlation between the calculated position on the long-leg radiograph compared with the measured position for 44 knees. Three hundred eighteen knees after total joint arthroplasty were retrospectively reviewed and the postoperative position was determined. The preoperative position of the mechanical axis was 14.5 ± 37.3 mm medial to the knee joint center. Using the standing knee radiograph the postoperative position of the mechanical axis was 3.07 ± 9.2 mm lateral to the knee joint center, while the portable radiograph placed the mechanical axis 4.5 ± 12.4 mm medial to the knee joint center. There was a highly significant difference in the position of the knee joint center depending on the radiograph used for calculation (standing or portable). The difference between the two means was not due to opening of the knee joint, but likely due to change in the rotation of the knee in the presence of knee flexion. This series of the knee arthroplasties has a low projected rate of aseptic failure.     

人工关节置换术后人工关节松动的原因

人工关节置换术是治疗关节严重残疾的主要手段之一，每年接受手术的患者达数十万人。许多患者重建了关节功能，避免或减少了残疾程度，提高了生活质量和工作能力。但同时也出现了不少并发症，相当多的患者置换人工关节后出现了中、远期的人工关节松动，导致疼痛和功能障碍，需要再次手术。导致人工关节松动的原因有很多，主要有感染、假体一骨组织界面的微动磨损、过早过剧烈功能锻炼、手术方式及操作技术失误、原有关节病变加剧、人工关节的材料、生物力学设计、加工工艺不完善、患者年龄过大、体质情况差等。现就晚期感染、微动磨损等主要原因进行阐述。     

Carpometacarpal joint disease: addressing the metacarpophalangeal joint deformity

The successful surgical treatment of arthrosis of the carpometacarpal articulation of the thumb requires a thorough understanding and evaluation of the intercalated axis of the first ray. A hyperextension/adduction deformity commonly occurs at the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb with advanced stages of carpometacarpal arthrosis. Failure to recognize and treat the metacarpophalangeal deformity may result in continued pain and poor outcomes. Additionally, the stability of the ligament reconstruction may become compromised, resulting in recurrence of deformity and longitudinal collapse. This article presents an orderly means of clinical and radiographic evaluation of this deformity and recommends surgical treatments to correct hyperextension and maximize functional outcomes. A treatment algorithm is provided.     

全关节置换术后假体周围感染诊断的研究进展

假体周围感染是全关节置换术后最严重的并发症之一,诊断方法较多,但都缺乏特异性,本文就假体周围感染的临床症状、体征,实验室检查,影像学检查,特殊检查以及最新的研究进展进行综述。     

Possibility of the hamatum carpometacarpal joint as a new joint donor site for interphalangeal joint restoration

Objective

This research investigates the anatomic basis for the repair and reconstruction of hand joints using transposition of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the hamatum.

Methods

The morphology and structure of the CMC joints of the hamatum and the base joints of the middle phalanx were observed on 22 freshly frozen wrist specimens at Shanghai 6th People’s Hospital Research Institute of Microsurgery. The volar dorsal dia, radioulnar dia, depth of concave, and area of the joints were measured. Data were obtained through statistical analysis, and the resemblance of joints was compared in terms of morphology, structure, area, length, and diameter.

Results

The radioulnar dia of the CMC joints of the hamatum (13.54 ± 1.15 mm) did not exhibit any evident differences in the middle phalanx of the forefinger, middle finger, and ring finger, and in the distal phalanx of the thumb. The volar dorsal dia of the CMC joints of the hamatum (10.71 ± 0.93 mm) exhibited an evident difference in the middle phalanx of the ring finger. In all fingers, the depth of the ulnar and radial concave of the CMC joints of the hamatum (1.30 ± 0.08 and 0.95 ± 0.05 mm, respectively) and the area of the CMC joints of the hamatum (139.89 ± 5.44 mm²) showed an evident difference.

Conclusion

The CMC joint of the hamatum could be considered a new and viable joint donor site that could be used to repair and reconstruct the base joints of the middle phalanx.     

Total joint arthroplasty for osteoarthritis of the thumb basal joint

A survey of 43 cemented arthroplasties of the trapeziometacarpal joint with a la Caffinière prosthesis in 40 patients is presented. A 70% patient satisfaction rate was obtained, with a mean DASH score of 24.2. Good range of motion was preserved (opposition 9/10 on Kapandji's scale) and gripping force as well as key pinch force increased from 18 kg to 24 kg and from 5.3 to 6.0 kg respectively. However loosening was seen in 44% of the implants. Loosening was related to younger age. We conclude that despite good clinical outcome, radiographic loosening is a threat for the future of this implant.     

人工关节置换术后假体周围感染与术前贫血的研究进展

假体周围感染是人工关节置换术后最严重的并发症。流行病学调查发现,围术期贫血是造成假体周围感染的独立危险因素,其可通过影响细胞机制及自身免疫功能等多个方面发挥重要影响。既往国内外诸多学者对假体周围感染与术后贫血的关系进行研究,但对假体周围感染与术前贫血的相关性探讨较少。术前贫血可使红细胞表面的C3b受体减少,机体免疫功能降低,血源性感染增加,术后康复时间延长,进而诱发假体周围感染。故对于术前合并贫血的患者,除预防性使用抗生素外,术前应补充铁剂、配合促红细胞生成素积极纠正贫血、治疗影响血红蛋白生成的慢性并发症、提高患者自身的免疫状况、对符合输血指征的患者进行相应的输血治疗,从而更好地预防人工关节置换术后假体周围感染的发生,减少二次或多次翻修的概率。     

Total joint arthroplasty at the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb

A series of 50 cases of total joint arthroplasty at the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb demonstrate surgical procedure and cement technique. Most patients showed a full range of motion within four weeks of suture removal and continue to demonstrate good long-term results. Less motion is anticipated in patients with contractures or systemic disease. Five patients showed clinical or radiographic evidence of loosening. Revision procedures document the retrieval potential of a failed implant. The author's ten-year experience with this system indicates that the concept is viable. Future modifications are discussed.