Brachial plexus birth injury: advances and controversies.

While there is considerable spontaneous recovery in most cases of brachial plexus birth injury, many children are left with significant problems that may lead to lifelong functional limitations, loss of work and social isolation. Detailed treatment with the right strategy can provide very valuable improvement in function. Over the past few years, the clinical approach to brachial plexus birth palsy has entered a new era in both diagnostic and surgical treatment methods. This article reviews four areas of management, the role of imaging in defining the severity of the injury, the optimal timing of for nerve exploration and reconstruction in appropriate cases, the advantages and potential complications of nerve transfers, and the role of physiotherapy. Available evidence is considered. Although it is difficult to make clear and precise inferences on a subject where there are many variables and considerable uncertainties, some currently accepted views will be summarized.Level of evidence: V.

Case-based report of graded motor imagery experience in traumatic brachial plexus injury: The art of moving without moving.

BACKGROUND: We reported a 24-year-old woman who sustained multiple upper limb injuries after a traffic accident in March 2017. She sustained a C7-T1 brachial plexus injury and radial nerve injury on the left side diagnosed in November 2017. The patient underwent radial nerve reconstruction. The patient began her comprehensive therapy program in January 2018. PURPOSE: To describe the use of graded motor imagery (GMI) and outcomes after traumatic brachial plexus palsy. We presented changes in electromyographic (EMG) activity of target muscles during task execution and functional status following 10-session GMI therapy. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: The program included 4 sessions of motor imagery and 6 sessions of a combination of motor imagery and mirror therapy. RESULTS: The patient successfully participated in the program with reported improvements in EMG activity, functional status, emotional well-being, and body awareness. CONCLUSIONS: GMI therapy appears to have peripheral motor effects, including altered surface EMG activity and contributes to a favorable outcome in the functional level of the affected arm. An improved emotional state and awareness of the affected hand could have a positive effect on function. Future long-term randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate the cumulative peripheral effects of treatment of graded motor imagery and the effects of variables mediating its effects on functional performance in patients with nerve injury.

Facet Inclinations and Interfacet Angle of the Distal Radius on Posteroanterior Radiographs: Clinical Associations With 3 Carpal Pathologies.

PURPOSE: The radiographic interfacet angle (IFA), scaphoid facet inclination (SFI), and lunate facet inclination (LFI) of the distal radius were measured in patients with 3 distinct wrist pathologies to determine whether there is an association between these radiographic measurements and these conditions. METHODS: Posteroanterior wrist radiographs were compiled from patients with 3 types of common wrist pathologies (scaphoid waist fracture [n = 54], scapholunate [SL] dissociation [n = 23], and dorsal ganglion [n = 51]). The patients were all Caucasians aged 20 to 45 years who met strict radiographic criteria. The IFA, SFI, and LFI values of these patients were compared with those obtained from 400 normal wrist radiographs of subjects who met the same selection criteria. RESULTS: In men with a scaphoid waist fracture, the IFA and SFI were significantly greater than in normal men, whereas the LFI was significantly lower. In the SL dissociation group, for all patients and for subgroups stratified according to sex, the IFA and SFI were significantly lower than in the normal matched groups. In the dorsal ganglion group, differences were found in the IFA and SFI for women, but not for men. CONCLUSIONS: The facet orientations of the distal radius in patients with scaphoid fracture, SL dissociation, and dorsal ganglion differed from those in the normal population. The IFA alone is most likely to be associated with all 3 pathologies. The SFI and LFI are less likely to be associated with patients with carpal pathologies. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Patients with a greater IFA may be susceptible to scaphoid fractures when they fall on an overstretched hand. Patients with a smaller IFA may be susceptible to SL dissociation when they fall on an overstretched hand.

EURO-MUSCULUS/USPRM Dynamic Ultrasound Protocols for Wrist and Hand.

ABSTRACT: In this dynamic protocol, ultrasound evaluation of the wrist and hand is described using various maneuvers for relevant conditions. Scanning videos are coupled with real-time patient examination videos. The authors believe that this practical guide-prepared by the international consensus of several experts-will help musculoskeletal physicians perform a better and uniform/standard examination approach.

EURO-MUSCULUS/USPRM Dynamic Ultrasound Protocols for Elbow.

ABSTRACT: In this dynamic protocol, ultrasound examination of the elbow using different maneuvers is described for several/relevant elbow problems. Scanning videos are coupled with real-time patient examination videos for better understanding. The authors believe that this practical guide-prepared by an international consensus of several experts (EURO-MUSCULUS: European Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Study Group and USPRM: Ultrasound Study Group of ISPRM [International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine])-will help musculoskeletal physicians perform a better and uniform/standard approach.

EURO-MUSCULUS/USPRM Dynamic Ultrasound Protocols for Shoulder.

ABSTRACT: In this dynamic protocol, ultrasound examination of the shoulder using different maneuvers is described for several/relevant shoulder problems. Scanning videos are coupled with real-time patient examination videos for better understanding. The authors believe that this practical guide prepared by an international consensus of several experts (EURO-MUSCULUS: European Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Study Group and USPRM: Ultrasound Study Group of ISPRM [International Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine]) will help musculoskeletal physicians perform a better and uniform/standard approach.

Hip-preserving reconstruction of the proximal femur with a vascularized fibula autograft and liquid-nitrogen-treated tumor bearing bone.

A five-year-old boy with Ewing sarcoma of the proximal femur was operated at our institution with limb-sparing surgery and biological reconstruction of the proximal femur with a vascularized fibular autograft. During this procedure, the proximal femur was soaked in liquid nitrogen which was subsequently fixed to the fibular autograft, while the epiphysis of the femoral head was spared. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of epiphysis-sparing surgery of the proximal femur via a vascularized fibular autograft surrounded by a liquid nitrogen-treated tumor bearing bone autograft. Three years postoperatively, the patient remains disease-free, has a full weight-bearing extremity with good function, and a remodeled proximal femur with minimal deformity. There are no radiological or clinical signs indicative of femoral head osteonecrosis. In conclusion, hip-sparing biological reconstruction is a successful method of limb preservation as an alternative to tumor endoprostheses.

Replantation of forequarter amputation: Report of two cases with successful structural, motor and sensorial results.

Although there have been numerous reports of major replantation of upper extremity amputations, limited numbers of above-elbow amputation replantation have been reported. We present the technical details of two successful replantations of forequarter amputations in a nine-year-old girl and a three-year-old boy. In both cases, the forequarter was amputated due to avulsion traction injuries resulting in amputation including the entire upper limb, while the integrity of the scapula and parascapular muscles was maintained, with no injury to the glenohumeral joint. Replantation was performed, involving a shorter ischemia time with proper fixation, and vascular and neural repairs. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and motor and sensorial acquisition were quite satisfactory during follow-up periods of 9 and 6 years, respectively. Proper fixation of the amputated part mimicking the original anatomy, radical debridement of avulsed vessels, and reconstruction of the defect using long vein grafts and neural repair while maintaining proper integrity are the most important factors in success. When the requirements are met, replantation of the forequarter in a child yields a superior outcome, from both the functional and esthetic perspectives. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in the English literature involving two sequential cases of such high-level replantation resulting in successful reacquisition of both viability and function.

Correction to: The results of decompression of the musculocutaneous nerve entrapment in children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained an error. Tables and Supplementary are incorrectly processed during production. Given in this article are the correct tables.

The results of decompression of the musculocutaneous nerve entrapment in children with obstetric brachial plexus palsy.

PURPOSE: Elbow flexion is a key indicator of functional recovery in obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP). However, lack of flexion could be a result of an entrapped musculocutaneous nerve during the healing period. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible compression of the musculocutaneous nerve and outcomes of decompression. METHODS: The study included 11 children aged with a mean age of 10.9 ± 2.7 months (range, 8-16 months) with Narakas 2 involvement OBPP, who had insufficient elbow flexion but had satisfactory shoulder abduction. Prior to surgery, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to identify the entrapment. The children were evaluated pre-operatively and at 3 and 12 months postoperatively using the Active Movement Scale and Faradic Excitability Test. The musculocutaneous nerve was explored and decompressed in all the children. Regular physiotherapy and a home exercise programme were prescribed after surgery. RESULTS: The MRI findings were consistent with the surgical exploration in all the infants. Statistical analyses showed that decompression of the musculoskeletal nerve improved active movement scale scores on elbow flexion and faradic excitability test values of biceps brachii within 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: Children with delayed elbow flexion and satisfactory shoulder abduction may have an entrapped musculocutaneous nerve in the proximal arm and decompression of the nerve improves elbow function.

Radial Reference Points for Measuring Palmar Tilt and Ulnar Variance on Lateral Wrist Radiographs.

Background: Palmar tilt and ulnar variance are crucial parameters for evaluating the distal radius. Identifying suitable reference points for these parameters on lateral wrist radiographs remains challenging. The purpose of this study was to establish reference points for measuring palmar tilt and ulnar variance on lateral wrist radiographs and to evaluate the reliability of these two parameters using the newly defined reference points. Methods: The distal articular surfaces of 25 cadaver radii were marked at four different locations using thin wires. These bones were radiographed and constant landmarks were recorded. The reliability of the palmar tilt and ulnar variance measurements was assessed using the new reference points and two serial measurements recorded by three observers on 27 standardized lateral wrist radiographs. Results: The reference points for palmar tilt on lateral radiograph were the dorsal and volar end points of the subchondral line. The subchondral line was connected to two of five metaphyseal cortical lines. The reference point for lateral ulnar variance was easily defined on the midpoint of the proximal aspect of the subchondral line. The corresponding posteroanterior central reference point for ulnar variance was at the ulnar corner of the subchondral line. Inter- and intra-observer reliabilities were overall good for the palmar tilt measurements, and excellent for the ulnar variance measurements. Conclusions: Palmar tilt can be determined accurately with a good understanding of the radiographic landmarks on lateral radiographs, and by addressing the problems caused by ulnar inclination of the articular surface of the distal radius. Lateral wrist radiographs can provide a complete picture of the ulnar border of the radius for measuring ulnar variance.

Elbow flexion reconstruction with nerve transfer or grafting in patients with brachial plexus injuries: A systematic review and comparison study.

INTRODUCTION: Posttraumatic brachial plexus (BP) palsy was used to be treated by reconstruction with nerve grafts. For the last two decades, nerve transfers have gained popularity and believed to be more effective than nerve grafting. The aim of this systematic review was to compare elbow flexion restoration with nerve transfers or nerve grafting after traumatic BP injury. METHODS: PRISMA-IPD structure was used for 52 studies included. Patients were allocated as C5-C6 (n = 285), C5-C6-C7 (n = 150), and total BP injury (n = 245) groups. In each group, two treatment modalities were compared, and effects of age and preoperative interval were analyzed. RESULTS: In C5-C6 injuries, 93.1% of nerve transfer patients achieved elbow flexion force ≥M3, which was significantly better when compared to 69.2% of nerve graft patients (p < 0.001). For improved outcomes of nerve transfer patients, shorter preoperative interval was a significant factor in all injury patterns (p < 0.001 for C5-C6 injuries and total BP injuries, p = 0.018 for C5-C6-C7 injuries), and young age was a significant factor in total BP injury pattern (p = 0.022). CONCLUSIONS: Our analyses showed that nerve transfers appear superior to nerve graftings especially in patients with a C5-C6 injury. Unnecessary delays in surgery must be prevented, and younger patients may have more chance for better recovery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Facet Inclinations and Interfacet Angle of the Distal Radius on Posteroanterior Radiographs.

PURPOSE: To determine the lunate facet inclination (LFI), scaphoid facet inclination (SFI), and interfacet angle (IFA) of the distal radius on posteroanterior (PA) radiographs; evaluate the reliability of the IFA measurements; and define normative reference values for all 3 parameters. METHODS: The IFA was defined as the angle between the lines tangential to the scaphoid and the lunate facets. The reliability of the IFA measurements was investigated using 2 serial measurements made by 3 observers. Three parameters (the IFA, LFI, and SFI) were measured on PA wrist radiographs of 400 normal Caucasians. Between-side and -sex differences among the 3 parameters were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The inter- and intraobserver reliability of the IFA measurements was excellent. The mean values were as follows: IFA, 20°; LFI, 14°; and SFI, 34°. Although no statistically significant difference was found between the right and the left wrists, sex-based analyses revealed significant differences between the wrists of women and men. Based on the standard distribution of IFAs, 3 groups of distal radii were defined as follows: slightly, moderately, and steeply angled. CONCLUSIONS: The LFI, SFI, and IFA are easily measured radiographic parameters of the distal radius. Although a moderate correlation was evident between the IFA and the LFI, the IFA is a novel parameter to evaluate the carpal articular shape of the distal radius. The IFA measurement on PA radiographs is reliable. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The LFI has been accepted as a parameter for Madelung deformity and radiocarpal force transmission. The IFA may be considered as a parameter to evaluate radiocarpal coronal stability that could potentially be affected by changes in bifacet curvature.