Uncalcified Synovial Chondromatosis in the Pisotriquetral Joint

Synovial chondromatosis is a rare lesion in the wrist, but some cases in the distal radioulnar joint have been reported and previous case reports emphasize joint calcifications, shown on preoperative plain radiographs. We report an extremely uncommon case of synovial chondromatosis in the pisotriquetral joint, in which radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging did not demonstrate apparent calcified bodies. In our case, for the accurate diagnosis and treatment, surgical exploration of the joint and synovectomy with removal of loose bodies was performed.     

Location and geometric description of carpal bones in CT images

The carpal regions of ten cadaver extremities were imaged by CT. The images were combined into a 3-dimensional model of the carpus using a technique based on a dynamic programming algorithm to find an optimal estimate of the location of the bone boundaries in the CT images. The resulting set of surface points on each bone was used to compute volumes and principal and antipodal axes for the bones. A spatial coordinate system was established based on the positions of the centroids of three bones in the distal carpal row. The angular orientations of all carpal bones were determined with respect to this system. The principal axes for the same bone among ten wrist specimens proved to be more widely dispersed than the antipodal axes for the same bones. The antipodal axes also correspond more closely to an intuitive notion of the “longest axis” of the bones. We conclude that the antipodal axis is a more reliable and useful measure of bone orientation than the principal axis.     

Tendon Graft—Ulna Fixation in Distal Radio-Ulnar Joint Stabilisation; Biomechanical Comparison of Three Graft-Bone Fixation Methods

A common distal radio-ulnar joint (DRUJ) stabilisation procedure uses a tendon graft running from the lip of the radial sigmoid notch to the ulnar fovea and through a bony tunnel to the ulnar shaft, before being wrapped round the distal ulna and sutured to itself. Such graft fixation can be challenging and requires a considerable tendon length. The graft length could be reduced by fixing the graft to the ulna using a bone anchor or interference screw. The aim of this study was to compare the strength of three distal ulna graft fixation methods (tendon wrapping and suturing, bone anchor and interference screw). Four human cadaveric ulnae were used. A tendon strip was run through a tunnel in the distal ulna and secured by: (1) wrapping round the shaft and suturing it to itself, (2) a bone anchor and (3) an interference screw in the bone tunnel. Load to failure was determined using a custom-made apparatus and an Instron machine. Maximum failure load was highest for the bone anchor fixation (99.3 ± 23.7 N) followed by the suturing (96.2 ± 12.1 N), and the interference screw fixation (46.9 ± 5.6 N). There was no significant difference between the tendon suturing and bone anchor methods, but the tendon suturing was statistically significantly higher compared to the interference screw (P = 0.028). In performing anatomical stabilisation of the DRUJ fixation of the tendon graft to the distal ulna with a bone anchor provides the most secure fixation. This may make the stabilisation technique less demanding and require a smaller tendon graft.     

Hand and wrist imaging using a low-field dedicated MRI system

Summary Purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of a low field dedicated MRI system in hand and wrist imaging. All 308 exams of the hand and wrist, that were performed on a low-field dedicated MRI system (Artoscan, Esaote Biomedica, Italy) in our institution in 1996, and high-field MRI exams performed in addition as part of the diagnostic work-up, were evaluated and correlated to final operative (n = 64) and histologic (n = 12) reports. 90 % of all low-field MRI scans stated a diagnosis according to clinical suspicion. In 62 % the clinical question was answered, and in 26 % additional pathologies were identified. An MR-diagnosis completely different from the clinical suspicion was stated in 2 %. High field exams contributed additional information in 6 of 36 patients. In 3 patients a tumor was not shown completely in the limited field-of-view of the dedicated low-field MRI-system. Frequency-selective fat-suppression pulse sequences and a better spatial resolution were the reasons for the additional information obtained in the other three patients. Low-field dedicated MR-imaging is a valuable method in the extensive work-up of the hand and wrist. Osseous, ligamentous and tendinous pathologies are well depicted. Large or infiltrative tumors should be referred to a high-field system.      

腕关节融合钢板内固定术的临床疗效

目的评价腕关节融合钢板内固定术的临床疗效。方法2000年7月-2004年12月，采用腕关节融合钢板内固定术治疗创伤性腕关节炎21例。随访内容包括腕关节疼痛程度、手指关节活动度、握力和x线片。根据Buck—Gramcko／Lohrnanrm评分表评价腕关节总体功能，DASH调查表评价腕关节融合术对患者日常活动及生活质量的影响。结果术后21例获得随访，平均随访时间为20个月。术后患侧腕部疼痛值平均为1．5（术前4．5），12例掌指关节和lO例拇指指间关节出现轻微背伸功能障碍，腕部握力为30kg（健侧为38kg）。x线片示腕关节全部骨性融合。Buck—Gramcko／Lohmanrm评分值为8．7，其中优5例、良10例，中6例。DASH值为32，DASH调查表结果表明腕关节融合术后部分日常活动受限。结论腕关节融合钢板内固定成功率高，腕关节疼痛明显减轻，但术后腕关节部分功能丧失。     

腕部广泛损伤的修复与康复治疗

报道30例腕部损伤患者,伤情比较相同。其中12例采用传统外科手术治疗,不作或仅作不正规的理疗;18例采用显微外科技术治疗,仔细修复各种组织结构,术后系统地进行康复治疗。经随访3个月～2年,传统方法治疗组优良率仅为8.3％;采用显微外科技术及康复治疗组优良率达67％。     

用带血管的腓骨近段重建桡腕关节的临床研究

用绘图法对１５具尸体１５对腓骨小头的胫腓关节面及桡骨腕关节面进行了解剖学的对比研究，观察关节面形态，测量其长径、横径、关节面倾斜角度、曲率半径，发现腓骨小头的胫腓关节面和桡腕关节面解剖相似。在此基础上，临床应用带血管腓骨近段移植重建桡腕关节４例收到良好的疗效，根据Ｇｒｅｅｎ评分标准，腕关节评分为７０～８５分。     

Dislocation of the second through fifth carpometacarpal joints

We report a case of dislocation of the second through fifth carpometacarpal joints and review the mechanism of injury and radiographic findings in such injuries.