Efficacy of steroid injection in the treatment of trigger finger

Objective:To assess the efficacy of local steroid injection in trigger finger

Materials and Methods:This prospective study was conducted at department of Orthopaedics,Civil Hospital, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, from March 2012 to 2013. Males and females with complain of trigger finger were included in this study during the specified period. All patients were injected depomedrol with plain xylocaine at the nodule site and functional outcome was assessed with respect to pain relief and finger movement

Results: Study included 43 patients with trigger finger.29 were males and 14 were females. Right hand fingers were involved in 24 patients, remaining had left hand fingers involvement. 10 involved the index finger,7 middle finger, 4 ring finger,10 little finger and 12 thumb. 9 patients had associated rheumatoid arthritis and 15 were known cases of diabetes. Remaining patients were primary with no known co-morbid. All patients had pain relief initially and regained movement of finger. 10 patients required repeated injection after 3 months. Maximum pain relief and regaining of movement after steroid injection was 4 months

Conclusion:Local steroid injection provides excellent symptomatic pain relief and regained movements without any complication in patients with trigger finger

Radial head fracture mason type III and IV treated with K-wire Fixation

Objective: To assess the functional outcome of radial head fracture Mason type III and IV treated with K-wire fixation

Materials and Methods:This prospective study was conducted at Department of Orthopaedics,Civil Hospital,Dow University of Health Sciences Karachi from 2013 to 2015. Patients with Radial head fracture type III and IV were included in the study

Results:A total of 42 patients were included in this study. Out of these 36 were males and 6 were females. Right side was injured in 18 patients and left side in 24 patients. 32 patients were with Mason type III radial head fracture and 10 were Mason type IV fractures. All fractures were fixed with open reduction and internal fixation with K-wire. Lateral approach was used in all fractures. In Type IV elbow was reduced with close technique. Outcome was measured on the basis of Morrey elbow scoring system. 22 patients with type III radial head fracture had excellent results while10 with type III had good result. All patients with radial head fractureType IV had good results

Conclusion:Assessment of functional outcome of radial head fracture Mason type III treated with K-wire fixation showed excellent outcome in majority of patients while Type IV had good outcome.Mason type III radial head fractures should be reduced and fixed with K-wire. It maintains the stability of elbow joint and elbow function