Examination of the Pronator Quadratus Muscle during Hardware Removal Procedures after Volar Plating for Distal Radius Fractures

BACKGROUND: It is not clear whether the pronator quadratus (PQ) muscle actually heals and provides a meaningful pronation force after volar plating for distal radius fractures (DRFs). We aimed to determine whether the length of the PQ muscle, which is dissected and then repaired during volar plating for a DRF, affects the forearm rotation strength and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We examined 41 patients who requested hardware removal after volar plating. We measured the isokinetic forearm rotation strength and clinical outcomes including grip strength, wrist range of motion, and disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scores at 6 months after fracture fixation. During the hardware removal surgery, which was performed at an average of 9 months (range, 8.3 to 11.5 months) after fracture fixation, we measured the PQ muscle length. RESULTS: The average PQ muscle length was 68% of the normal muscle length, and no significant relationship was found between the PQ muscle length and the outcomes including isokinetic forearm rotation strength, grip strength, wrist range of motion, and DASH scores. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the length of the healed PQ muscle does not affect isokinetic forearm rotation strength and clinical outcomes after volar plating for DRFs. The results of this study support our current practice of loose repair of the PQ that is performed by most of the surgeons to prevent tendon irritation over the plate, and suggest that tight repair of the PQ is not necessary for achieving improved forearm function.

Atrofia muscular distal bilateral dos membros superiores (Síndrome de O'Sullivan-McLeod): relato de caso / Bilateral distal muscular atrophy of upper limbs(O’Sullivan-McLeod syndrome): Case report

As amiotrofias espinhais progressivas (AEP) são um grupo de desordens geneticamente determinadas marcadas pela depleção dos neurônios da ponta anterior da medula espinhal e, frequentemente, núcleos de nervos cranianos (bulbares). A forma mais comum de AEP usualmente compromete os músculos proximais dos membros. Entretanto, existe uma forma incomum, usualmente esporádica, que envolve somente a região distal braquial. A proposta do presente relato é apresentar os achados clínicos e eletrofisiológicos de um paciente com AEP crônica e com comprometimento dos músculos do terço distal dos membros superiores. A eletroneumiografia revelou anormalidades neurogênicas e potenciais de desnervação com velocidade de condução sensitiva e motora normais. Descrevemos algumas teorias acerca da fisiopatologia. O reconhecimento dessa forma infrequente é muito importante para uma ótima abordagem terapêutica nesses pacientes.

The spinal muscular atrophies (SMA) are a group of genetically determined disorders in which the primary defect is a loss of the anterior horn neurons of the spinal cord and, commonly, of nuclei of cranial nerves (medulla). A more common chronic form of SMA usually affects proximal limb muscles. However, there is an uncommon form, frequently sporadic, involving only the distal part of upper limbs. The purpose of the present report is to describe the clinical and electrophysiological features of a patient with chronic SMA affecting the muscles of the distal third of the upper limbs. Electroneuromyography revealed neurogenic anomalies and denervation potentials with normal motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities. We describe some theories concerning its pathophysiology. The recognition of this infrequent form is very important for an optimized therapeutical approach of this kind of patients.

Análise do efeito do uso das órteses de punho na musculatura do antebraço: uma revisão comentada da literatura / Analysis of the effects of the use of wrist ortes in the forearm musculature: a commented literature review

Terapeutas ocupacionais recomendam órteses de punho como recurso terapêutico na reabilitação de pacientes com desordens do punho relacionadas ao esforço da musculatura do antebraço. Contudo, existem achados na literatura de que as órteses ao invés de reduzirem a carga na musculatura do antebraço, aumentam a atividade eletromiográfica dos flexores e extensores, sugerindo que a meta de descanso nem sempre é alcançada...

Occupational therapists recommend wrist orthoses as a therapeutic resource in the rehabilitation program of patients with wrist disorders due to the demands of the forearm musculature. however, there are findings in the literature considering that the orthoses would increase the electromygraphy activity of flexor and extensor muscle...

Clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue

A case of clear cell sarcoma of soft tissue which occurred in a seventy year oldomani male is being reported. The neoplasm was located on the left forearm. This tumour is a rare malignant neoplasm

Neurectomia dos ramos do mediano para o pronador redondo na paralisia cerebral / Neurectomy of branches from the median nerve to the pronator teres in cerebral palsy

Os autores apresentam o resultado da neurectomia dos ramos do nervo mediano para o músculo pronador redondo em nove pacientes com pronaçäo espástica do antebraço devida a paralisia cerebral. Avaliam sua utilidade na melhora da pronossupinaçäo do antebraço e da funcinalidade da mäo, tecendo comentários com relaçäo as indicaçöes desta cirurgia no membro preensor de modo geral. Concluem que, quando bem indicada, podes ser de grande valia como cirurgia complementar no tratamento do membro superior, na paralisia cerebral