The hook plate technique for fixation of phalangeal avulsion fractures.

BACKGROUND: Avulsion fractures of the phalanges involve small osseous fragments that are usually attached to structures that are necessary for stability or movement of the joint. Satisfactory healing of the fracture to preserve joint function may require open reduction and internal fixation, which can be difficult because of the small size of the fragments. METHODS: We used a hook plate fashioned from a 1.3-mm Synthes titanium plate in thirteen patients with a phalangeal avulsion fracture. Four patients had an avulsion fracture of the volar plate with dorsal proximal interphalangeal joint dislocation, four had a dorsal avulsion fracture of the extensor central slip from the middle phalanx, three had a flexor digitorum profundus avulsion fracture from the distal phalanx, and two had an avulsion fracture of the phalangeal insertion of the collateral ligament. RESULTS: Union without complications was achieved in all cases. After an average duration of follow-up of seventeen months, all patients had a good to excellent result and the average total interphalangeal motion was 149°. CONCLUSIONS: This indirect fixation technique produces stable fixation allowing early active finger motion.

Rice bodies, millet seeds, and melon seeds in tuberculous tenosynovitis of the hand and wrist.

Tuberculosis (TB) is still endemic in many developed countries. Involvement of the hand and wrist at presentation is extremely rare, and the diagnosis is often missed. Operative findings of "rice bodies, millet seeds, or melon seeds" are highly suggestive of tuberculous tenosynovitis. Six patients with TB of the hand and wrist at various stages of disease with characteristic operative findings are reviewed. Four patients had underlying immunosuppression. One patient had previous pulmonary TB, whereas 3 patients had radiographic evidence of previously undiagnosed pulmonary TB. The interval to presentation ranged from 1 week to 2 years. Two patients had median nerve irritation, 3 patients had osteomyelitis, and 1 patient had flexor tendon rupture. Mycobacterial cultures were positive in 4 patients; acid-fast bacilli stain, and polymerase chain reaction were positive in remaining 1 patient; and both stain and culture were negative in the last patient who had history of pulmonary TB. All 6 patients were managed with combination therapy comprising antituberculous chemotherapy and at least 1 debulking tenosynovectomy. Two patients had 2 debridements. Of these 2 patients, 1 underwent wrist arthrodesis during the second procedure. Mean follow-up was 4 years. There were no recurrences after the most recent debridement. The diagnosis of TB of the hand and wrist is often missed. The surgeon has to be aware of the significance of loose bodies when performing routine excision of innocuous looking wrist ganglia. Combination therapy comprising thorough excisional debridement and antituberculous chemotherapy will minimize recurrence of this difficult-to-treat disease.

Hazards of steroid injection: Suppurative extensor tendon rupture.

Local steroid injections are often administered in the office setting for treatment of trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, and basal joint arthritis. If attention is paid to sterile technique, infectious complications are rare. We present a case of suppurative extensor tenosynovitis arising after local steroid injection for vague symptoms of dorsal hand and wrist pain. The progression of signs and symptoms following injection suggests a natural history involving bacterial superinfection leading to tendon rupture. We discuss the pitfalls of local steroid injection and the appropriate management of infectious extensor tenosynovitis arising in such situations.

Resurfacing hemipulp losses of the thumb: the cross finger flap revisited: indications, technical refinements, outcomes, and long-term neurosensory recovery.

Volar-oblique injuries of the thumb pulp are particularly disabling. Many methods have been described to treat these injuries and provide return of sensibility. The conventional cross finger flap is an established technique and is well suited for intermediate-sized partial pulp losses. We review our experience with this flap and describe technical refinements that have contributed to improved early outcome and long-term neurosensory recovery. Thirty patients underwent 31 cross finger flaps to the thumb for volar-oblique pulp defects. Defect sizes ranged from 1.5 to 5 cm in length and 1.5 to 3 cm in width. Dorsal skin of the index finger proximal phalanx was used in 26 patients, index finger middle phalanx in 2 patients, and long finger middle phalanx in 3 patients. Nine patients were available for long-term follow-up and were subjected to functional assessment (DASH questionnaire), sensitivity testing (2-point discrimination, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing), and range of motion evaluation. Thirty of 31 flaps survived. In 1 patient, trauma to the attached flap from the long finger middle phalanx resulted in flap ischemia. This was revised with a fresh cross finger flap from the index finger proximal phalanx. Employed patients were able to return to their original jobs. Recalled patients (n = 9) were assessed at a mean of 29 months after surgery (range, 12-70 months). All recalled patients regained normal sensibility on 2-point discrimination testing. Functional outcome was satisfactory in 8 patients (DASH score, 0-20). The last patient (DASH score, 61.67) complained of hypersensitivity and cold intolerance that affected his work. The conventional cross finger flap provides reliable coverage for volar-oblique hemipulp losses of the thumb, with patients regaining at least protective sensibility in the long term. The proximal and middle phalanges of both the index and long fingers may serve as donor sites, allowing the surgeon to best select skin cover based on defect size and options in finger positioning.

Flap resurfacing of postinfection soft-tissue defects of the hand.

BACKGROUND: Severe suppurative infections of the hand require antibiotics and excisional debridement for control and reversal. This sometimes results in large soft-tissue defects for which primary closure may not be possible. METHODS: Thirty-one patients had postinfection soft-tissue defects of the hand that were resurfaced using flaps. Small defects (<5 cm in greatest dimension) were found in 22 patients, medium-sized defects (5 to 10 cm in greatest dimension) were found in four patients, and large defects (>10 cm in greatest dimension) were found in five patients. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was present in 48 percent. RESULTS: Flap survival was 100 percent. There was no flap necrosis or reactivation of infection. Patients regained functional use of the hand, and employed patients returned to work. CONCLUSIONS: Provided that infections have been well controlled by judicious surgical debridement and appropriate flap selection and technique is exercised, flap resurfacing can be performed safely and remains an important adjunct in the total management of hand infections. Benefits include the provision of a durable vascularized wound bed, which facilitates primary healing, restoration of gliding planes for exposed tendons and neurovascular structures, and provision of a stable platform for early mobilization and support of future reconstructive efforts if these are required.

Diagnostic dilemmas in unusual presentations of gout.

BACKGROUND: Gout is known to mimic conditions as diverse as joint and soft tissue infections, skin malignancies, nerve compression syndromes and soft tissue tumours. Upper limb involvement is unusual. OBJECTIVE: We discuss four cases of gout in the hand and wrist masquerading as a soft tissue tumour, nodular extensor tenosynovitis, septic arthritis of the wrist and acute and chronic median nerve compression. These cases illustrate that gout in the hand and wrist can resemble more sinister conditions, often posing a diagnostic challenge even to the experienced clinician. DISCUSSION: In the management of hand and wrist pain, swelling and neuropathy, emphasis must be placed on actively excluding limb and life threatening conditions such as septic arthritis and neoplasia. Laboratory and radiological investigations cannot accurately distinguish these pathologies from gout. Invasive surgical exploration or tissue sampling is often needed to establish the correct diagnosis.

Factors affecting the prognosis of pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis.

BACKGROUND: Pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis is a closed space infection involving the digital flexor tendon sheaths of the upper extremity that can cause considerable morbidity. The purpose of the present report is to describe the various risk factors leading to poor outcomes and to recommend a clinical classification system for this condition. METHODS: We studied seventy-five patients with pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis over a six-year period. The amputation rate and total active motion were used as outcomes measures. The clinical factors influencing outcomes were identified and analyzed. RESULTS: The five risk factors associated with poor outcomes were (1) an age of more than forty-three years, (2) the presence of diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, or renal failure, (3) the presence of subcutaneous purulence, (4) digital ischemia, and (5) polymicrobial infection. On the basis of the clinical findings and outcomes, three distinct groups of patients could be identified, each with a progressively worse outcome. Patients in Group I had no subcutaneous purulence or digital ischemia; these patients had the best prognosis, with no amputations and a mean 80% return of total active motion. Patients in Group II demonstrated the presence of subcutaneous purulence but no ischemic changes; these patients had an amputation rate of 8% and a mean 72% recovery of total active motion. Patients in Group III had both extensive subcutaneous purulence and ischemic changes; these patients had the worst prognosis, with an amputation rate of 59% and a mean 49% return of total active motion. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a three-tier clinical classification system that can aid in prognosis and guidance in the treatment of pyogenic flexor tenosynovitis of the upper extremity.

Mycobacterium marinum as a cause of chronic granulomatous tenosynovitis in the hand.

OBJECTIVE: Mycobacterium marinum is an uncommon cause of chronic granulomatous flexor tenosynovitis and leads to significant morbidity in the hand. This paper aims to review our treatment of this infection and its clinical outcomes. METHODS: We treated five cases of M. marinum flexor tenosynovitis from 2001 to 2006, which were confirmed after 6 weeks of mycobacterial culture. RESULTS: All the patients were healthy immuno-competent hosts. There was a history of injury by a marine animal in each patient. Presentation was delayed at an average of 32.0 days after the injury. Excisional debridement was performed at an average of 63.4 days after the injury. The average number of debridements performed was 3.4. One patient had to undergo ray amputation to control the infection. The average duration of oral antibiotics was 15.4 weeks. Post-operatively, there were reductions in total active motion in all patients. CONCLUSION: A high index of suspicion, based on the history and intra-operative findings, is necessary when managing these patients. This infection runs a protracted course that requires multiple debridements and is associated with poor functional outcome.