Suzuki's pins and rubber traction for fractures of the base of the middle phalanx

Abstract

Basal fractures of the middle phalanx are uncommon, but difficult to treat. We have reviewed our first 20 patients using the Suzuki pins and rubber traction who were treated during an 8.5 year period (June 1998–December 2006) and 18 who were reviewed after 49 (range 17–116) months. All injuries were closed fractures of the base of the middle phalanx. Ten patients had a fracture of the volar lip and dorsal subluxation of the phalanx, one had a fracture of the dorsal lip, and seven had comminuted pilon fractures. Median operating time was 33 (18–255) minutes. Thick “vessel loops” were often used for traction, and active movement before the traction was removed after 38 (8–46) days was disappointing. There were two superficial infections and one deep. One proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint had been treated by arthrodesis and another amputated before review. On a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0 (best) to 10 (worst), patients at review reported discomfort when wearing the traction as 5.5 (0–10), pain as 0 (0–6), and finger function as 3 (0–6). The median Quick-DASH score (100 = worst) was 2 (0–48) and grip strength 97 (75–118) % of the other hand. Median extension, flexion, and total range of movement of the PIP joint in 16 fingers were -9°, 83°, and 72°, respectively. Our results are no more than adequate. They might have been better if the force of traction had been less by using rubber bands instead of vessel loops, if postoperative follow-up had been more frequent allowing for correction of traction when necessary, and if traction had been discontinued earlier.     

终腱斜行游离延长治疗陈旧性锤状指畸形

正2013年10月~2015年9月,我们采用改良术式终腱斜行游离延长方法治疗14例陈旧性锤状指畸形患者,疗效满意,报道如下。1材料与方法1.1病例资料本组14例,男10例,女4例,年龄20~65岁。畸形手指:食指3例,中指5例,环指5例,小指1例。伤后至手术时间:7~12 d 11例,21 d以上3例。     

Articular synovial chondromatosis of the finger

Abstract

A 40-year-old woman presented with a six-month history of synovial chondromatosis of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the right ring finger, which was resected through both dorsal and volar incisions. To our knowledge there have been only 17 reported cases of articular synovial chondromatosis of the digital joint so far. We present a case affecting the metacarpophalangeal joint with a review of scattered information found in other 17 reports.     

Trigger Finger Release With Stepwise Preservation of the A1 Pulley: A Functional Pulley-Preserving Technique

The first annular (A1) pulley is an important structure of the hand, providing a biomechanical support to the metacarpophalangeal joint and maintaining joint stability and flexor tendon alignment. Albeit uncommon, disruption of this pulley can result in dislocation or ulnar drift of the digit, particularly pronounced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Despite this, the A1 pulley is commonly divided without reconstruction in trigger finger. Several annular pulley reconstructive techniques have been developed to preserve its function. However, development of recurrent triggering has been observed due to fibrosis, largely due to inadequate release of the pulley. We have developed a technique to increase the volume within the flexor sheath while preserving the A1 pulley by way of stepwise lengthening. This has enabled an increase in the diameter of the pulley to 4 times its original size. A prospective study was performed comprising 10 trigger finger releases with stepwise lengthening of the A1 pulley. In all patients, there were no complications, and good hand function was achieved with no recurrence of triggering at 6 weeks of follow-up. This technique can thus safely achieve trigger release without sacrifice of the function of the A1 pulley.     

Finger trapped in door latch removed using an electric saw. A new technique and review of other techniques

Trapping of fingers in metallic bands is a commonly encountered situation. The children, elderly people, and psychiatric patients are the usual victims. The constricting object in the digit causes obstruction to lymphatic and venous drainage leading to oedema distal to the constriction, which leads to further neurovascular compromise and presents as a surgical emergency. A 7-year-old boy presented to us with his right middle finger being stuck in a steel door latch. Multiple attempts were made to remove the trapped finger with conventional methods, and subsequently, it was removed by electric-driven metal cutting saw, which was not previously described in medical literature to the best of our knowledge.     

Regeneration of nails with artificial dermis

Abstract

We treated fingertips injured through the proximal half of the nail bed using artificial dermis in 22 patients from 2004 to 2009. We classified the injuries to the nail bed into three types according to where the wounds were. Type ? was localised to the nail bed with or without minor injury to the surrounding structure; type II was an avulsion and amputation of the fingertip including the nail bed, the finger pulp, and the distal phalanx at the level of the proximal nail bed; and type III was post-traumatic shortening of the nail, in which the pulp and distal phalanx were intact. Regeneration and elongation of the nail was achieved in every patient by applying artificial dermis. All patients were satisfied with the results.     

Leg Weakness in a Patient with Lumbar Stenosis and Adrenal Insufficiency

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common spinal disease in the elderly. The cardinal symptom of LSS is neurogenic claudication, but not all patients present with such typical symptom. The clinical symptoms are often confused with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, musculo-skeletal disease and other medical conditions in elderly patients. In particular, LSS presenting with rapid progression of leg weakness must be distinguished from other combined diseases. We report a case of rapid progressive leg weakness in a patient with LSS and iatrogenic adrenal insufficiency that was induced by obscure health supplement.