Deep Flexor Tendon Entrapment in a Diaphyseal Fracture of the Proximal Phalanx - A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: The proximal phalanx fracture is a common fracture of the hand in pediatric ages. Most of these fractures can be treated conservatively with immobilization. There are only few cases reporting tendon entrapment in literature and most of them refer to epiphyseal fractures with only one case reporting tendon entrapment after diaphyseal fracture. CASE REPORT: A 15-year-old boy went to the emergency department after suffering trauma in his right hand caused by a fall. He complained of pain in his second finger of the right hand which was swollen. An imaging study was performed and a fracture of the proximal phalanx diaphysis of the second finger of the right hand was diagnosed. Due to deviation, reduction, syndactyly, and immobilization with Zimmer splint were performed. The control X-ray showed acceptable reduction and the patient was referred for follow-up at an outpatient consultation. During follow-up, the reduction was maintained and the conservative treatment was kept for 25 days, with apparent fracture healing. The patient presented active flexion limitation of the finger that was interpreted as a sequel of the immobilization and he was referred for physical therapy rehabilitation. Six weeks after the initial trauma, the patient was observed at the emergency department for new right-hand trauma. On examination, no active flexion of the third phalanx of the second finger of the right hand was noticed. The patient underwent an ultrasound that revealed deep flexor tendon entrapment at the fracture focus. A surgery was performed consisting in tenolysis and reconstruction of the pulleys using a portion of the long palmar tendon. The patient has good clinical evolution with almost complete recovery of mobility. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates an entrapment of deep flexor tendon after a diaphyseal fracture of the proximal phalanx, with only few cases reported in literature. The authors highlight the importance of having a high index of suspicion to detect this situation once it restrains the success of the conservative treatmentand makes the surgery mandatory to avoid definite sequels and disabilities.

Dupuytren's disease: where do we stand?

Dupuytren's disease is a fibroproliferative disease that involves collagen deposition, leading to hand contractures that ultimately affect hand mobility and grip strength.It is a benign disorder but can cause high morbidity by limiting daily activities.Many factors have been proposed for its aetiology: namely genetics, smoking, alcohol intake and diabetes. However, there is still controversy as to the main aetiological cause of the disease.Treatment is not yet uniform around the world and still varies with the surgeon's experience and preference.In this review, the authors review the pathogenesis and treatment options for Dupuytren's disease in an attempt to summarize the current state of the art. Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2019;4:63-69. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.4.180021.

Return to play after conservative and surgical treatment in athletes with spondylolysis: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: Analyze the return to sports rate and timing after conservative and surgical treatment in athletes with spondylolysis. METHODS: Comprehensive search using Pubmed, Cochrane Library and SPORTDiscus databases to identify English language studies that assessed the return to sports after conservative or surgical treatment of symptomatic spondylolysis in athletes. The main outcome of interest was the return to sports rate and timing, as well as, the follow-up clinical and functional outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 14 trials (592 participants) were included. Eight and seven studies reported the outcomes of conservative and surgical approach, respectively. A total of 92% (n = 492) and 88% (n = 100) of athletes return to sports at any level, and 89% (n = 185) and 81% (n = 103) returned to their pre-injury level of sports for conservative and surgical approaches, respectively. The time to return to sports was 4.6 and 6.8 months for conservative and surgical approaches, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Conservative management (bracing, sports modification and physiotherapy) of athletes with spondylolysis show excellent return to sports rates at any level and at the pre-injury level at a mean of 4.6 months. Those who fail the conservative treatment can be successfully managed with surgical treatment with a high rate of return to sports at 6.8 months. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Systematic review of level IV studies.

APSI scaphoid hemiarthroplasty - long-term results / Hemiartroplastia do escafoide com APSI - resultados funcionais em longo prazo

ABSTRACT Objective: This study is aimed at evaluating the long-term results of proximal scaphoid hemiarthroplasty for post-traumatic avascular necrosis at this institution. Methods: Twelve patients who underwent this procedure were identified, and the mean follow-up time was 6.5 years (range: 5-8 years). All patients were male, with a mean age of 39 years (range: 28-55 years). In eight patients, the non-dominant limb was affected. The procedure was carried out through a dorsal approach and all patients underwent the same rehabilitation protocol. Cases were evaluated regarding complications, pain, range of motion, functional status (Mayo Wrist Score), and disability (QuickDASH Score). Results: No immediate post-operative complications, such as infection or dislocation of the implant, were observed. All patients presented with peri-implant osteolysis at follow-up, on a radiograph study. None of the patients was forced to abandon their previous professional activity, although about 50% required some type of adaptation at their workplace. The mean functional capacity was, according to the Mayo Wrist Score, of 67.5 points (range: 50-80), corresponding to a satisfactory degree of function. The QuickDASH disability score presented a mean of 25 (range: 3-47.7). Conclusion: The results of this series are in line with previously published studies about this technique. Hemiarthroplasty with a pyrocarbon implant is a safe technique for the treatment of post-fracture avascular necrosis of the scaphoid proximal pole. This technique allowed for satisfactory functional results at a mean follow-up of 6.5 years.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados em longo prazo da hemiartroplastia do escafoide proximal no tratamento da osteonecrose avascular pós-traumática na instituição. Métodos: Foram identificados 12 pacientes submetidos a esse procedimento. O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 6,5 anos (entre cinco e oito). Todos os pacientes eram do sexo masculino, com média de 39 anos (entre 28 e 55). Em oito pacientes o membro afetado foi o não dominante. O procedimento foi feito por meio de uma abordagem dorsal e todos os pacientes foram submetidos ao mesmo protocolo de reabilitação. Todos os casos foram avaliados quanto à ocorrência de complicações, dor, amplitude de movimento, capacidade funcional (Mayo Wrist Score) e incapacidade (QuickDASH Score). Resultados: Não foram observadas complicações no período pós-operatório imediato, como infeção ou luxação do implante. No fim do período de seguimento, todos os casos apresentavam osteólise peri-implante no estudo radiográfico. Nenhum dos pacientes abandonou a sua atividade profissional prévia à cirurgia, embora em cerca de 50% dos casos tenha sido necessário algum tipo de adaptação no local de trabalho. A capacidade funcional média foi, de acordo com o Mayo Wrist Score, de 67,5 pontos (entre 50 e 80), correspondeu a um nível de função satisfatório. O escore de incapacidade QuickDASH apresentou uma pontuação média de 25 (entre 3 e 47,7). Conclusão: Os resultados desta série encontram-se em linha com os estudos publicados sobre essa técnica. A hemiartroplastia do escafoide com implante de pirocarbono é uma técnica segura para o tratamento da necrose avascular do polo proximal do escafoide após fratura. Essa técnica permitiu obter um resultado funcional satisfatório após uma média de 6,5 anos de seguimento.

APSI scaphoid hemiarthroplasty - long-term results.

OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed at evaluating the long-term results of proximal scaphoid hemiarthroplasty for post-traumatic avascular necrosis at this institution. METHODS: Twelve patients who underwent this procedure were identified, and the mean follow-up time was 6.5 years (range: 5-8 years). All patients were male, with a mean age of 39 years (range: 28-55 years). In eight patients, the non-dominant limb was affected. The procedure was carried out through a dorsal approach and all patients underwent the same rehabilitation protocol. Cases were evaluated regarding complications, pain, range of motion, functional status (Mayo Wrist Score), and disability (QuickDASH Score). RESULTS: No immediate post-operative complications, such as infection or dislocation of the implant, were observed. All patients presented with peri-implant osteolysis at follow-up, on a radiograph study. None of the patients was forced to abandon their previous professional activity, although about 50% required some type of adaptation at their workplace. The mean functional capacity was, according to the Mayo Wrist Score, of 67.5 points (range: 50-80), corresponding to a satisfactory degree of function. The QuickDASH disability score presented a mean of 25 (range: 3-47.7). CONCLUSION: The results of this series are in line with previously published studies about this technique. Hemiarthroplasty with a pyrocarbon implant is a safe technique for the treatment of post-fracture avascular necrosis of the scaphoid proximal pole. This technique allowed for satisfactory functional results at a mean follow-up of 6.5 years.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os resultados em longo prazo da hemiartroplastia do escafoide proximal no tratamento da osteonecrose avascular pós-traumática na instituição. MÉTODOS: Foram identificados 12 pacientes submetidos a esse procedimento. O tempo médio de seguimento foi de 6,5 anos (entre cinco e oito). Todos os pacientes eram do sexo masculino, com média de 39 anos (entre 28 e 55). Em oito pacientes o membro afetado foi o não dominante. O procedimento foi feito por meio de uma abordagem dorsal e todos os pacientes foram submetidos ao mesmo protocolo de reabilitação. Todos os casos foram avaliados quanto à ocorrência de complicações, dor, amplitude de movimento, capacidade funcional (Mayo Wrist Score) e incapacidade (QuickDASH Score). RESULTADOS: Não foram observadas complicações no período pós-operatório imediato, como infeção ou luxação do implante. No fim do período de seguimento, todos os casos apresentavam osteólise peri-implante no estudo radiográfico. Nenhum dos pacientes abandonou a sua atividade profissional prévia à cirurgia, embora em cerca de 50% dos casos tenha sido necessário algum tipo de adaptação no local de trabalho. A capacidade funcional média foi, de acordo com o Mayo Wrist Score, de 67,5 pontos (entre 50 e 80), correspondeu a um nível de função satisfatório. O escore de incapacidade QuickDASH apresentou uma pontuação média de 25 (entre 3 e 47,7). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados desta série encontram-se em linha com os estudos publicados sobre essa técnica. A hemiartroplastia do escafoide com implante de pirocarbono é uma técnica segura para o tratamento da necrose avascular do polo proximal do escafoide após fratura. Essa técnica permitiu obter um resultado funcional satisfatório após uma média de 6,5 anos de seguimento.

Clinical Management in Early OA.

Knee osteoarthritis affects an important percentage of the population throughout their life. Several factors seem to be related to the development of knee osteoarthritis including genetic predisposition, gender, age, meniscal deficiency, lower limb malalignments, joint instability, cartilage defects, and increasing sports participation. The latter has contributed to a higher prevalence of early onset of knee osteoarthritis at younger ages with this active population demanding more consistent and durable outcomes. The diagnosis is complex and the common signs and symptoms are often cloaked at these early stages. Classification systems have been developed and are based on the presence of knee pain and radiographic findings coupled with magnetic resonance or arthroscopic evidence of early joint degeneration. Nonsurgical treatment is often the first-line option and is mainly based on daily life adaptations, weight loss, and exercise, with pharmacological agents having only a symptomatic role. Surgical treatment shows positive results in relieving the joint symptomatology, increasing the knee function and delaying the development to further degenerative stages. Biologic therapies are an emerging field showing early promising results; however, further high-level research is required.

Fractura por estrés del cuello del fémur en una niña hiperactiva tratada con metilfenidato: Reporte de caso / Femoral neck stress fracture in a hyperactive child taking methylphenidate. Case report

Las fracturas por estrés afectan, con mayor frecuencia, a personas físicamente activas con hueso normal y son infrecuentes en los niños con placa de crecimiento abierta. Aun más infrecuentes son las fracturas por estrés del cuello femoral en la población pediátrica. Sin embargo, constituyen entidades muy importantes debido al riesgo de complicaciones graves, como la necrosis avascular. Se describe el caso de una niña de 7 años medicada con metilfenidato que sufrió una fractura por estrés del cuello del fémur atípica. La paciente consulta por dolor inguinal derecho sin limitaciones en las actividades cotidianas. La radiografía muestra una fractura por estrés del cuello del fémur, que se confirma con tomografía. Se instaura un tratamiento conservador, y la paciente está asintomática a las cuatro semanas. Este caso representa una alerta sobre esta infrecuente entidad en la que podrían presentarse errores diagnósticos. Investigaciones recientes también sugieren la posible participación de fármacos, como el metilfenidato, en la desmineralización ósea, que podría constituir un posible factor de riesgo de fractura. Nivel de Evidencia: IV

Stress fractures most commonly affect physically active individuals with normal bone, and they are rare in children with open growth plates. Even rarer are femoral neck stress fractures in pediatric age. Nevertheless, they constitute a very important entity due to the risk of severe complications, such as avascular necrosis. A seven-year-old girl, treated with methylphenidate, who suffered an atypical femoral neck stress fracture is presented. Patient complained of right inguinal pain without daily life activity limitations. The radiograph showed a stress femoral neck fracture, confirmed by CT imaging. Conservative treatment was instituted and the patient became asymptomatic after 4 weeks. This case report alerts the clinicians about this rare entity that might be misdiagnosed. Recent research also suggests a possible involvement of drugs, such as methylphenidate, in bone demineralization, which might constitute a possible risk factor for fractures. Level of Evidence: IV

Physical exercise and Parkinson's disease: influence on symptoms, disease course and prevention.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common, disabling, neurodegenerative condition, and the disease prevalence is expected to increase worldwide in the next few decades. Symptomatic therapy remains unsatisfactory, and greatly needed neuroprotective therapies have not been successfully developed so far. Physical exercise (PE) has been associated with a lower risk of developing a neurodegenerative disease. The literature has been searched, and results have been systematized and interpreted with regard to the effects of PE in PD. Published data show the following: 1) PE has been associated with a lower risk of developing PD; 2) PE has been shown to improve disease symptoms, mobility, balance, gait and quality of life (in this regard, walking training, tai-chi and tango dancing have demonstrated the highest level of evidence of efficacy); and 3) neuroprotective effects from PE could be expected in PD, although this has been suggested in animal studies only. Further research on this topic should be encouraged. Multidisciplinary cooperation between neurologists, sports physicians and researchers is paramount.