Osteotomies around the thumb base in CMC 1 arthritis.

The trapeziometacarpal joint (TMC) is a saddle joint that is subjected to tremendous repetitive loads through our lifetime. This joint is apparently congruent, but only a small part of the articular surface is loaded during pinch grips. This design implies a perfect bony anatomy, high quality articular cartilage and no ligament laxity. Under certain circumstances, where these different anatomical variables are imperfect, symptoms and pain can start at a very early stage in life. They are mainly acquired, but can be posttraumatic in origin. High quality radiographic views are needed: these radiographs must be done methodically by well-trained radiologists. The symptoms and radiographic changes may not match, such as when radiographic changes are minimal but functional impairment is significant. The primary goal of treatment is conservative. This cannot be stressed enough since conservative treatment can be successful with good follow-up by the hand surgeon: resting splint, good postures at work and if necessary, anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol. If this fails after a minimum of 6 months, different osteotomies can be proposed, combined with ligament augmentation in some cases. These osteotomies are mainly extra-articular, can be at the level of the base of the first metacarpal and the trapezium, or can be solely at the base of the first metacarpal. Isolated osteotomies of the trapezium should be avoided since they tend to close the first web space. In certain posttraumatic cases, intra-articular osteotomy of the malunion can be done to restore congruency and provide pain relief.

Pronator quadratus repair after volar plate fixation in distal radial fractures: evaluation of the clinical and functional outcome and of the protective role on the flexor tendons-a randomized controlled study.

The objective was to evaluate pronator quadratus (PQ) repair following volar plating of distal radial fractures on clinical and functional outcome, as well as flexor tendon friction, during the first 12 months in ideally positioned plates (Soong 0). Confounding factors like variation in plate positioning, anatomical consolidation of the fracture and associated lesions were excluded. Eighty patients were included with distal radius fractures treated by volar locking plate in Soong grade 0 position, who were randomized to group PQ repair and group no repair. Sixty-five patients completed the 1-year follow-up: group PQ repair (n = 35) and group no repair (n = 30). Primary outcomes included range of motion, grip strength, pain level and QuickDASH. Secondary outcomes included distance between flexor pollicis longus (FPL) and volar rim and the largest distance between FPL and plate (soft tissue thickness occupied by PQ), assessed by ultrasonography. Mobility, grip strength and QuickDASH revealed no significant differences, except extension was significantly higher only in first 3 months and radial deviation was significantly higher only at 6 weeks after PQ repair. Pain level was significantly lower after PQ repair only in the first 3 months. Distance between FPL and volar rim and the largest distance between FPL and plate were significantly higher after PQ repair. No friction contact between FPL and volar rim was measured in both groups at all measurement moments. Consequently, protective flexor tendon effect of PQ repair could consequently not be concluded. In conclusion, clinical and functional short term benefits, except improved wrist extension and reduced pain in the first 3 months, were not proven in this study. In Soong grade 0, PQ repair is probably not necessary to prevent flexor tendon pathology. In Soong grade 1 or 2, this is still to be investigated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

Scaphometacarpal arthrodesis with autologous structural bone graft as a salvage procedure after failed trapeziectomy - Surgical technique and initial results.

Painful instability due to proximal migration of the first metacarpal remains a challenging problem in patients who have undergone multiple surgeries for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. The objective of this study was to investigate whether scaphometacarpal (SMC) arthrodesis with a structural bone graft is an acceptable and definitive salvage procedure for the multioperated patient. Three patients underwent SMC arthrodesis using a structural iliac crest bone graft. All patients had symptomatic instability of the thumb base and had undergone three to four surgeries prior to the arthrodesis. All patients were satisfied with the outcomes. Mean opposition decreased from 8 to 7 and mean retropulsion remained at 1. Mean grip strength increased from 3.5 to 10.5kg and mean precision pinch strength increased from 1.5 to 2.5kg. Fusion was confirmed in all patients. SMC arthrodesis with a structural bone graft is an acceptable procedure that largely preserves thumb opposition and restores stability with increased grip and pinch strength. Although far from ideal, it can be considered as a definitive salvage procedure in patients who have already had multiple surgeries to the trapeziometacarpal joint.

Treatment of Dupuytren's disease using one full dose of Clostridiumhistolyticum collagenase at a lower concentration: Retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes.

Clostridiumhistolyticum collagenase (CHC) is rapidly becoming a mainstream treatment option for Dupuytren's disease for hand surgeons. We performed a retrospective study of the efficacy of this substance at a lower concentration, but a higher total dose than recommended by the manufacturer. Thirty-nine patients with 43 affected hands were treated and analyzed at a mean follow-up of 27 months. Subgroup analysis was done for patients who received treatment in one or two joints (group A), and for patients who received treatment in more than two joints (group B). We found that our CHC solution is safe and effective when simultaneously treating as many as four joints affected by Dupuytren's disease. Patients in group B had a lower (but non-significant) treatment failure rate compared to patients in group A. Also, higher satisfaction rates were observed in group B, again non-significant. No major complications were observed in any group. CHC use is associated with only minor complications. The results are consistent even when up to four joints are treated with one dose. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of the distance between the flexor pollicis longus tendon and volar prominence of the plate as a function of volar plate positioning and pronator quadratus repair - A cadaver study.

Flexor tendon injury after volar plating of distal radius fractures is due to friction against the plate. To assess this risk, the distance between the flexor pollicis longus (FPL) and the volar prominence of the plate was measured with ultrasonography under various conditions: a standard plate fixed proximal or distal to the watershed line and a low-profile volar rim plate, with and without transection of the pronator quadratus (PQ). Distance from the FPL to the volar prominence of the plate decreased significantly when the PQ was cut and when a standard plate was placed distal to the watershed line, with the tendon often bulging over the plate. No statistical difference was measured between a volar rim plate and a standard plate distal to the watershed line. Our results confirm the importance of positioning the volar plate proximal to the watershed line and of repairing the PQ.

Evaluation of current treatment techniques for distal radius fractures amongst Belgian orthopaedic surgeons.

This online questionnaire was initiated to investigate if a consensus on the treatment of distal radius fractures amongst orthopaedic surgeons in Belgium exist. Two cases were presented: an extra-articular fracture, with dorsal displacement (Frykman type I) and a displaced intra-articular fracture (Frykman type VII). Treatment of choice and rationale of choice were investigated. 158 responses were collected. In case of a Frykman type I, the majority of surgeons would have performed a closed reduction and intrafocal K-wiring (37.3%) or volar plating (34.8%). In case of a Frykman type VII, volar plating was the primary treatment of choice (66.5%), closed reduction and K-wiring was chosen in 24.7% and external fixation in 4.4%. We cannot conclude on a consensus in treatment choice amongst Belgian orthopaedic surgeons. Compared to previous research, an increase in the use of volar plating in intra- as well as in extra-articular distal radius fractures was noticed.

Surgical treatment after a failed trapeziectomy: A case report.

Several treatment options exist to surgically treat end-stage trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. Trapeziectomy is recognized as leading to a mostly acceptable functional outcome. Although rarely encountered, persisting failure of the trapeziectomy is difficult to address. We present a case where several procedures were subsequently performed to treat a failed trapeziectomy condition. First, a trapeziometacarpal prosthesis (Arpe(®), Biomet(®)) was inserted with the two components reversed: the cup in the first metacarpal and the stem in the scaphoid. This prevented normal mobility and resulted in a non-functional, chronically painful joint. Revision arthroplasty was performed with a dual-mobility component (Ebony(®), Stryker(®)), replacing the trapezium to articulate with the first metacarpal and the scaphoid. This restored the first column's length but led to prosthesis instability only 4 months after implantation. Finally, first column arthrodesis with iliac bone graft interposed between the first metacarpal and scaphoid achieved an acceptable outcome.

Treatment of a symptomatic trapezial dysplasia with metacarpal instability following thumb metacarpal lengthening with an addition-subtraction osteotomy.

The most important problem of trapezial dysplasia with thumb metacarpal instability is of bony origin. Together with the progressive capsuloligamentous decompensation it evolves in a progressive adduction deformity of the thumb metacarpal secondary to the dysplasia of the trapezium with its increased articular slope. The addition-subtraction osteotomy restores the anatomy combining two techniques: an abduction-extension osteotomy of the first metacarpal to correct the axis of the first metacarpal and an opening wedge osteotomy of the trapezium to reorientate the trapezial saddle. We present a case of an addition-subtraction osteotomy in a case of symptomatic trapezial dysplasia with metacarpal instability following a thumb metacarpal lengthening in a severely mutilated hand. This technique was especially effective in reducing the instability and pain but mainly in maintaining mobile the only remaining joint of the thumb.

Clinical and radiological outcomes of the Ivory arthroplasty for trapeziometacarpal joint osteoarthritis with a minimum of 5 years of follow-up: a prospective single-centre cohort study.

We present the results of a 5 year prospective follow-up study on the functional outcome after total replacement of the trapeziometacarpal joint with the Ivory prosthesis (Memometal, Stryker Corporate, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA) in 22 patients. The female to male ratio was 21:1 and the mean age was 66 (range 54-78) years. The mean follow-up period was 67 (range 60-77) months after operation. Patient satisfaction was high. The mobility of the operated thumb was restored to a range of motion comparable to the contralateral thumb. Key pinch and grip strength improved by 13% and 31%, respectively. Overall function, according to Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score, improved by 59%. Pain decreased by 85% according to the numerical rating scale. Radiological evaluation revealed no loosening of the implant after 5 years except in one patient who required revision due to polythene wear with secondary joint instability. Another patient had asymptomatic polythene wear that required no revision but remains in follow-up. The 5 year overall survival of the prosthesis was 95%. These medium-term results suggest that the Ivory arthroplasty is a reliable option for treating advanced trapeziometacarpal arthritis, because it appears to give a very good functional outcome and has the potential for long-term survival rates.