Ligament Preserving Technique for a Locked Metacarpophalangeal Joint of the Index Finger

BACKGROUND: Locking of metacarpophalangeal joint (MPJ) of the index finger occurs when volar radial osteophytes of the metacarpal head catch the accessory collateral ligament. We devised a ligament-preserving approach to quickly restore the MPJ motion while protecting the radial collateral ligament. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the results of nine patients treated for a locked MPJ of the index finger. In three patients, closed reduction was successful. In six cases, volar radial osteophytes were excised from the metacarpal head using a ligament-preserving technique through a longitudinal incision on the radial side. We analyzed osteophyte shape and height as demonstrated by X-ray and computed tomography (CT). Function was evaluated by examining the range of motion, recurrence, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, and MPJ stability based on the key pinch strength. One male and eight female patients were followed for an average of 33 months (range, 12 to 65 months); the average age of patients was 41 years (range, 34 to 47 years). The average duration of locking of the MPJ was 23 days (range, 1 to 53 days). RESULTS: The sharp type of osteophytes was identified in six patients and the blunt type of osteophytes was indentified in three patients. The average height of radial osteophytes on the index finger metacarpal was 4.6 +/- 0.4 mm in the axial CT image. At the final follow-up, the average extension limitation decreased from 26degrees (range, 10degrees to 45degrees) to 0degrees, and further flexion increased from 83degrees (range, 80degrees to 90degrees) to 86degrees. There was no recurrent locking after surgery. The DASH score improved from 24.3 to 7.2. Key pinch strength improved from 67.3% to 90.4%. CONCLUSIONS: We obtained satisfactory outcomes in irreducible locking of the MPJ of the index finger by excising volar radial osteophytes of the metacarpal head using a ligament-preserving approach.

Dysphagia produced by cervical spine osteophyte. A case report / Disfagia produzida por osteófito da coluna cervical. Relato de caso / Disfagia producida por osteofito de columna cervical. A propósito de un caso

We present a case of a 73-year-old male patient with progressive dysphagia, and hoarseness (irritability in the throat). He was studied with the appropriate imaging techniques, and esophagoscopy led to a diagnosis of extrinsic esophageal dysphagia for osteophyte obstruction of the cervical spine due to the arthrosis. A surgical resection was performed, without complications. Some considerations are given on this theme.

Apresentação de caso de paciente com 73 anos de idade e história de disfagia progressiva, com intercorrência de rouquidão (irritação na garganta). O caso foi analisado com técnica de imagem adequada, incluindo esofagoscopia, estabelecendo-se o diagnóstico de disfagia extrínseca por obstrução com osteófito da coluna vertebral cervical decorrente de artrose. Realizou-se a ressecção cirúrgica sem complicações. Apresentam-se algumas considerações sobre o caso.

Se presenta un caso de un paciente de 73 años de edad, de sexo masculino, con historia de disfagia progresiva, a la cual se agregó carraspera (irritación en la garganta). Luego de ser estudiado con imagenología adecuada, y estudio esofagoscópico se estableció el diagnostico de disfagia extrínseca, compresiva por osteofito de la columna cervical debido a artrosis. Se realizó la resección quirúrgica sin complicaciones. Se realizan algunas consideraciones sobre el tema.