Matrixplasty for the Treatment of Pincer Nail with Nail Growth Plate Deformity / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to introduce the 'Matrixplasty' for the treatment of a severely incurved toenail with growth plate deformity and to report our results treating this disease entity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2010 and May 2010, 48 consecutive patients (62 cases) underwent treatment of symptomatic incurved toenails with the 'matrixplasty'. The mean period of time at last follow-up was 14.0+/-1.3months. The recurrence rate and complication rate were evaluated. An American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot hallux score was assigned and patients were evaluated at pretreatment and the last follow-up meeting. For evaluation of improvement in toenail shape, the center to edge angle of the toenail was measured at pretreatment and last follow-up. RESULTS: All ingrown toenails healed and the nail deformity was corrected within 3 weeks after the procedure. Among the 62 cases, four cases had recurred by the last follow-up. The mean pretreatment AOFAS forefoot hallux score was 73.1+/-12.8, and it improved to 98.7+/-1.1 by the last follow-up (p<0.01). The mean center to edge angle of the toenail improved from 53.3+/-12.9 degrees to 18.2+/-7.4 degrees by the last follow-up (p<0.01). Minor paronychia, which was managed with local wound dressing and oral antibiotics, was identified in eight cases. CONCLUSION: Matrixplasty showed excellent clinical results in the treatment of severe incurved toenail (pincer nail) and this procedure also showed great improvement of the deformed toenail and its growth plate.

The Use of COX-2 Selective Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are characterized by their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities; they have been widely used for the management of acute pain and chronic inflammation. The mechanism of action of NSAIDs is inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis. Inflammatory prostaglandins are primarily derived from COX-2, while the prostaglandins formed by COX-1 have in general a more homeostatic role. Based on their selectivity for COX-1 or COX-2, NSAIDs are classified into non-selective NSAIDs and COX-2 selective NSAIDs. Non-selective NSAIDs and COX-2 selective NSAIDs have similar effects on pain relief and inflammation. One major problem associated with the use of non-selective NSAIDs is their adverse effects on the gastrointestinal tract, caused by inhibition of COX-1. Compared with non-selective NSAIDS, the main advantage of COX-2 selective NSAIDs is reduced gastrointestinal complications. Reviews have suggested that COX-2 selective NSAIDs increase the risk of cardiovascular events; however, cardiovascular risk may vary among the selective NSAIDs. Because of their anti-inflammatory properties, the use of NSAIDs is essential for the relief of pain and the symptoms associated with inflammatory conditions such as active osteoarthritis. When NSAIDs are prescribed, age, additional medication such as aspirin, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular status, and co-morbidity must be taken into account. COX-2 selective NSAIDs have minimal effects on platelet function and thus, can also be used for pre and postoperative pain control in patients with osteoarthritis waiting for the surgery.

Functional Evaluation of High-Flex Total Knee Arthroplasty

PURPOSE: This study analyzed the functional result of High-Flex (HF) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with focusing on the activities related to the Korean life style, and we identified the suitability of the presently used tools for performing functional evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 266 knees that underwent HF-TKAs with using a Scorpio-flex and the follow up period for all the knees was over 1 year. Functional evaluation was performed by questionnaire on activities, including cross-leg sitting, squatting, kneeling, standing from the floor, standing from a chair and ascending and descending stairs. The clinical evaluation included the Knee Society Knee Score (KSKS) & Function Score (KSFS), the WOMAC score and the patient's satisfaction score. The identification of suitable tools for the functional evaluation of high flexion activities was performed by statistical analysis. RESULTS: Deep flexion of the knees averaged 132.6degrees. Cross-leg sitting was possible for 90.6%, squatting for 32.3%, kneeling for 28.0%, standing from the floor for 66.9%, standing from a chair for 99.6%, ascending stairs for 96.2% and descending stairs for 90.6%. The WOMAC score and KSKS well differentiated the groups for the possibility of their activities, but the KSFS and patient's satisfaction did not differentiate between the groups for some activities. CONCLUSION: The functional evaluation after total knee arthroplasty with HF-TKA revealed good results on cross-leg sitting, standing from chair, ascending & descending stairs, but still poor results on squatting and kneeling. For the functional evaluation of HF-TKA, we believe that the WOMAC and KSKS are good evaluation tools. The KSFS and the patient's satisfaction need careful interpretation when using these for high flexion-related functional evaluation due to their lack of ability to differentiate between good and poor results by some activities.

Clinical Results of the Accelerated Rehabilitation Program after Meniscal Repair using the RapidLoc Device / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical results of the accelerated rehabilitation program after performing meniscal repair using the RapidLoc device, and we wanted to investigate the incidence of complications related to using the RapidLoc device together with the accelerated rehabilitation program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of a consecutive series of meniscal repairs that were done by single surgeon with using the RapidLoc meniscal repair device. An accelerated postoperative rehabilitation program followed, and this was independent of whether anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery was also performed. The Lysholm and IKDC (International Knee Documentation Committee) activity scores, the clinical examination findings and the adverse events were recorded for all the patients. In addition, using Barrett's criteria, a repaired meniscus was considered healed if there was no joint line tenderness, effusion or a negative McMurray's test at the latest follow-up. RESULTS: At follow-up, the mean IKDC activity score was 3.38 (1.75 preoperatively), the Lysholm score was 91.8 (48.7 preoperatively). Clinical success occurred for 30 repairs (93.7%) at the time of the last follow-up. Two patient had tenderness on joint line palpation and intermittent effusion, so theses repair were considered failure according to our criteria. There was no specific complication related to the RapidLoc device. CONCLUSION: Our results show that accelerated rehabilitation program after arthroscopic meniscal repair with using the RapidLoc device provided a high rate of clinical meniscus healing and this appeared to be safe and effective.

A Comparison of the Functional Results of High-Flex Total Knee Arthroplasty: LPS-Flex vs. Scorpio-Flex TKA / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: This study compared the clinical and functional results of LPS-Flex with those of Scorpio-Flex TKA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty cases of High-Flex TKA (24 LPS-Flex and 26 Scorpio-Flex) were analyzed retrospectively. All the procedures were performed during the same period by the senior author and the patients were followed-up for more than 5 years. A functional evaluation was performed by a questionnaire on the high flexion-related activities, including cross-leg sitting, squatting, standing from the floor, standing from a chair and ascending and descending stairs. Each function was classified by the patients into five grades. The clinical evaluation included the range of motion, the Knee Society Knee Score and Function Score (KSKS & KSFS), the WOMAC score and the patient's satisfaction score. RESULTS: The functional evaluation showed a better result in the LPS-Flex group for the cross-leg sitting function (p=0.039) but there was no difference in the other functions. The clinical evaluation showed more flexion in the LPS-Flex group than that in the Scorpio-Flex group (p=0.044) but there were no difference in the KSKS, KSFS, WOMAC score and the patient's satisfaction score. CONCLUSION: LPS-Flex TKA showed better functional results for cross-leg sitting than did Scorpio-Flex TKA. This difference was attributed to the LPS-Flex group having more flexion than that of in the Scorpio-Flex group.

Shockwave Therapy for Tennis Elbow / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) an lateral epicondylitis of the elbow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis were treated with shock waves. The patients were evaluated by assessing of pain using visual analog scale (VAS) and a simple elbow test (SET). Overall clinical outcomes were evaluated using Roles and Maudsley scores at 12 months after ESWT. RESULTS: Significant symptom improvement were observed in 20 (83%) patients at the 12 months follow up according to the Roles and Maudesley scores. Average SET and VAS scores were also significantly improved after ESWT (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that shock waves therapy could be considered as an effective and noninvasive treatment modality for refractory lateral epicondylitis of the elbow.