Ilizarov Correction for Knee Flexion Contracture / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Authors performed Ilizarov treatment for 9 cases of severse knee flexion contracture. The causes of knee flexion contracture were 2 cases of rheumatoid arthritis, 2 cases of malunion of tibia and femur, 2 cases of infection sequelae, and 3 cases of hemophilic arthritis. The preoperative flexion contracture was av. 65.6 degrees(40-90 degrees). We started the correction at postoperative av. 3.88th day(2-12th day) after postoperative pain was controlled. After the deformity was corrected, the frame was left in place for av. 16.6 days(6-42 days). But in 2 cases of malunion of tibia and femur and 1 case of infection sequela, angular deformity and leg length discrepancy were managed after the correction of knee flexion contracture. The postcorrection flexion contracture was av. 2.6 degrees(0-10 degrees). The correction rate was av. 1.71 degrees/day(0.57-4.16 degrees/day) and the duration for correction was av. 51.1 days(12-85 days). After the follow-up period of av. 7.6 months from removal of Ilizarov, flexion contracture was av. 10.0 degrees(0-25 degrees). We conclude that the severe flexion contracture of the knee can be treated successfully with the Ilizarov correction. Limb shortening and neurovascular injuries can be avoided or minimized with the Ilizarov correction for flexion contracture of the knee as apposed to the other method. The recurrence of the flexion contracture of the knee may be prevented with the sufficient maintenance period.

Radiologic Changes after Lumbar Discectomy / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Open discectomy is one of usual treatment for herniated intervertebral disc. We may expect the reduction of height of intervertebral disc due to decreased volume by partial resection of herniated disc. But the effect of decreased height of intervertebral disc space to posterior joint and spinal canal has not been identified, and the correlation between the amount of reduced height and the changes of range of motion has been undetermined. Thus, we analyzed radiologic changes of disc height and segmental motion by the flexion-extension view in 20 patients who had undergone discetomy for prolapsed intervertebral disc from June 1989 to January 1991 who could be followed up for 3 years or more. As a result, lumbar discetomy associates with 1) significant decrement of disc height (average 14%), 2) decreased disc motion of involved segment without hypermobility (average 34%), 3) hypermobility of adjacent segment, 4) and posterior facet overriding consistent with recurred low back pain.

The Results of Open Release in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / 대한정형외과학회잡지

Forry-two symptomatic hands of 29 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome operated during the period from Marth 1986 to December 1993 were analized in clinical aspect. Among 29 patients, 3(10.3%) were male and 26(89.7%)were female. The syndrome occured on the right side in 10(34.5%) patients, on the left in 6(20.7%) patients, and on both in 13(44.8%) patients. The causes of the syndrome were idiopathic(90.5%), trauma(7.1%), mass(2.4%). Paresthesia(57.1%) was the most common chief complanit, followed by numbness(35.7%), pain(21.4%), weakness(9.5%). Thenar muscie atrophy occured in 84.8%, positive Tinel sign in 83.3% and positive Phalen sign in 90.0%. Delay of motor conduction velocity of median nerve was noted in all cases and delay of sensory nerve conduction velocity in all cases. Denervation finding such as fibrillation or sharp waves were seen in all cases. The carpal tunnel release was performed in all cases, and 31 cases were treated by carpal tunnel tunnel release with internal neurolysis. 35 cases(83.3%) were excellent or good results. The cases were long duration were poorer results. No significant difference was found between the results in cases treated by carpal tunnel release alone and those in cases treated by carpal tunnel release with internal neurolysis of median nerve.