Modified Sauvé-Kapandji procedure for rheumatoid wrists: a long-term study with a minimum follow-up of 5 years.

OBJECTIVES: We performed a modified Sauvé-Kapandji procedure for treating disorders of distal radioulnar joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This procedure involves resecting the distal part of the ulna, rotating the resected portion by 90° and fixating it with the distal part of the radius for shelf plasty. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical and radiographic outcomes of this procedure with more than 5 years' follow-up. METHODS: We studied 32 wrists of 27 RA patients with the mean follow-up of 93.1 months after operation. Pain, grip strength and range of motion of the wrist were examined clinically, while two indices for evaluation of ulnar and palmar translation of the carpus, carpal translation index and palmar carpal subluxation ratio were calculated on radiographs. RESULTS: The wrist pain reduced in all cases. Range of motion increased significantly regarding pronation and supination but decreased significantly regarding flexion. Change in grip power was not significant. No significant differences were recognized between radiographic indices, suggesting carpal alignment was maintained well throughout the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: We think this procedure could be applied for distal radioulnar joint disorders in RA patients with promising clinical as well as radiographic outcomes over a long period.

Long-term results of surgery for forearm deformities in patients with multiple cartilaginous exostoses.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of forearm deformities in patients with multiple cartilaginous exostoses remains controversial. The purpose of the present study was to determine the reasonable indications for operative treatment and to evaluate long-term results of forearm surgery in these patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed twenty-three patients (thirty-one forearms) after a mean duration of follow-up of nearly thirteen years. The mean age at the time of the initial procedure was eleven years. The patients underwent a variety of surgical procedures, including excision of exostoses; corrective procedures (lengthening of the radius or ulna and/or corrective osteotomy of the radius and/or ulna) and open reduction or excision of a dislocated radial head. Clinical evaluation involved the assessment of pain, activities of daily living, the cosmetic outcome, and the ranges of motion of the wrist, forearm, and elbow. The radiographic parameters that were assessed were ulnar variance, the radial articular angle, and carpal slip. RESULTS: Four patients had mild pain, and five patients had mild restriction of daily activities at the time of follow-up. Eight patients stated that the appearance of the forearm was unsatisfactory. Radiographic parameters (ulnar variance, radial articular angle, carpal slip) were initially improved; however, at the time of the final follow-up visit, the deformities had again progressed and showed no significant improvement. The only procedure that was associated with complications was ulnar lengthening. Complications included nonunion (three forearms), fracture of callus at the site of lengthening (two forearms), and temporary radial nerve paresis following an ulnar distraction osteotomy (one forearm). Excision of exostoses significantly improved the range of pronation (p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: In our patients with multiple cartilaginous exostoses, corrective osteotomy and/or lengthening of forearm bones was not beneficial. The most beneficial procedure was excision of exostoses. Reasonable indications for forearm surgery in these patients are (1) to improve forearm rotation and (2) to improve the appearance.

Modified Sauve-Kapandji procedure for disorders of the distal radioulnar joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Surgical technique.

BACKGROUND: The Sauvé-Kapandji procedure has become popular for the treatment of disorders of the distal radioulnar joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but this procedure is impossible to perform in patients with poor bone quality in the distal part of the ulna. We have modified the procedure for patients with poor bone quality in the distal part of the ulna. The modified procedure involves resecting the distal part of the ulna, making a drill-hole in the ulnar cortex of the distal part of the radius, rotating the resected portion of the ulna 90 degrees, inserting it into the distal part of the radius, and fixing it at that site with use of an AO cancellous-bone screw. In the present report, we describe the new operative technique and report the results after a minimum duration of follow-up of three years. METHODS: This operation was performed in fifty-six patients (sixty-six wrists) with rheumatoid arthritis. The mean age at the time of the operation was 59.3 years. The mean duration of follow-up was forty-eight months. Patients were evaluated in terms of wrist pain, grip strength, and range of motion. Radiographic evaluation included calculation of the carpal translation index to assess the extent of ulnar translation of the carpus. RESULTS: Osseous union was achieved in all cases. Wrist pain resolved or decreased in all patients. The mean total range of forearm rotation increased from 144 degrees preoperatively to 167 degrees at the time of the most recent follow-up (p < 0.01). The mean carpal translation index did not change after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Sauvé-Kapandji procedure results in rigid fixation of the grafted bone. The technique provides sufficient osseous support of the carpus even in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and poor bone quality in the distal part of the ulna.

Treatment of enchondroma of the hand with injectable calcium phosphate bone cement.

PURPOSE: To report the results of treatment of enchondroma of the hand managed by curettage and calcium phosphate bone cement (CPC) grafting. METHODS: Ten patients with digital enchondroma were reviewed. There were 6 proximal phalanges, 2 middle phalanges, and 2 metacarpal bones. The average patient age at surgery was 31 years. The average follow-up period was 41 months. We reviewed the final function and radiographic appearance of the surgically treated digits. We defined the term bony incorporation of CPC as a seamless change of radiographic appearance and no gap between cancellous bone and CPC. RESULTS: At final evaluation the bony incorporation was uneventful in all patients. Radiographs showed apparent partial absorption of CPC in only 2 patients. All digits had full range of motion after surgery. One digit fixed with multiple pins to treat a pathologic fracture simultaneously resulted in malunion and needed additional surgeries to correct digital overlap. No other complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with enchondroma of the hand are good candidates for treatment with CPC. In the case of pathologic fracture before surgery, however, surgery may be delayed until fracture healing because early corrective osteotomy with CPC might be difficult in a patient with malunion TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, Level IV.

Scaphotrapeziotrapezoid arthrodesis for the treatment of Lichtman stage 3B Kienböck disease.

We evaluated the results clinically and radiologically of 10 cases of Lichtman stage 3B Kienböck disease treated by scaphotrapeziotrapezoid (STT) arthrodesis alone. We retrospectively reviewed pain, range of movement, grip strength, and physical examination of the wrist as well as subjective satisfaction. We measured carpal height ratio and radioscaphoid angle. The median follow-up period was 53 months (range 10-109). At final evaluation, eight patients reported no pain and two had mild pain. Median range of movement was 60degrees(range 45-70degrees) in extension, 33degrees (range 20-45degrees) in flexion without appreciable loss. Grip strength had improved considerably. Employed patients went back to work within four months. The median final radioscaphoid angle was 67degrees (range 55-81degrees). STT arthrodesis done properly for the right indications for Lichtman stage 3B Kienböck disease achieves quick relief of pain and excellent function of the wrist.

Modified Sauvé-Kapandji procedure for disorders of the distal radioulnar joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: The Sauvé-Kapandji procedure has become popular for the treatment of disorders of the distal radioulnar joint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but this procedure is impossible to perform in patients with poor bone quality in the distal part of the ulna. We have modified the procedure for patients with poor bone quality in the distal part of the ulna. The modified procedure involves resecting the distal part of the ulna, making a drill-hole in the ulnar cortex of the distal part of the radius, rotating the resected portion of the ulna 90 degrees , inserting it into the distal part of the radius, and fixing it at that site with use of an AO cancellous-bone screw. In the present report, we describe the new operative technique and report the results after a minimum duration of follow-up of three years. METHODS: This operation was performed in fifty-six patients (sixty-six wrists) with rheumatoid arthritis. The mean age at the time of the operation was 59.3 years. The mean duration of follow-up was forty-eight months. Patients were evaluated in terms of wrist pain, grip strength, and range of motion. Radiographic evaluation included calculation of the carpal translation index to assess the extent of ulnar translation of the carpus. RESULTS: Osseous union was achieved in all cases. Wrist pain resolved or decreased in all patients. The mean total range of forearm rotation increased from 144 degrees preoperatively to 167 degrees at the time of the most recent follow-up (p < 0.01). The mean carpal translation index did not change after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: The modified Sauvé-Kapandji procedure results in rigid fixation of the grafted bone. The technique provides sufficient osseous support of the carpus even in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and poor bone quality in the distal part of the ulna.

Early corrective osteotomy for a malunited Colles' fracture using volar approach and calcium phosphate bone cement: a case report.

We report a case of malunion of the distal radius after a Colles' fracture treated with osteotomy using a volar approach combined with calcium phosphate bone cement grafting of the dorsal defect via a drill hole from the volar cortex 6 weeks after the injury. One year and 4 months after surgery range of motion and grip strength were improved and x-rays of the wrist showed complete union of the distal radius with progressive absorption of the calcium phosphate bone cement.

Isolated rupture of radial collateral ligament of the small finger dip joint repaired with a bone suture anchor: a case report.

Isolated rupture of radial collateral ligament of the small finger DIP joint is a rare injury. We treated this lesion using a bone suture anchor with excellent results.

Dorsal wrist syndrome repair.

Dorsal wrist pain with or without a palpable dorsal wrist ganglion is a common complaint. Watson developed the concept of the dorsal wrist syndrome (DWS) which is an entity encompassing pre-dynamic rotary subluxation of the scaphoid and the overloaded wrist. We reviewed 20 cases of DWS treated surgically. There were nine males (11 wrists) and nine females (nine wrists). Post-operative follow-up ranged from five to 67 months (mean, 37 months). At operation, we observed SLL tears in eight wrists and dorsal ganglia in 12 cases. Following surgery, 12 cases reported being pain free, five had mild pain, two moderate pain and one case reported severe pain. Post-operative extension/flexion was 73/70 average. Post-operative grip strength was 28 kg average. We believe that excision of the posterior interosseous nerve and the dorsal capsule including the ganglion, if present, provides pain relief in DWS.

Duplicate extensor tendons of the thumb mimicking rupture of the extensor pollicis longus tendon.

We report a patient with duplicate extensor pollicis longus tendons, who complained of inability to extend the thumb fully because of impingement of the musculotendinous junction of the duplicate tendons. Extension of the thumb recovered completely after Lister's tubercle was excised and the extensor retinaculum was released. Selective windowing with highlighting of the soft tissue in the axial T1-weighted magnetic resonance image at the level of the distal radioulnar joint showed two tendons in the third extensor compartment.

Enchondroma protuberans of the phalanx: a case report.

Enchondroma protuberans, which is defined as an exophytic enchondroma of a long bone, is a rare condition. There have been 6 previously reported cases with only 1 case occurring in the hand. We report a case of an enchondroma protuberans of the ring finger middle phalanx treated by marginal excision of the soft-tissue component, intramedullary curettage, and placement of calcium phosphate cement. There was no evidence of local recurrence at the 1-year follow-up examination.

Rotational radioulnar dissociation: a case report and review of the literature.

We report a rare case of radioulnar dissociation in an 11-year-old boy associated with fracture of the medial humeral epicondyle. Open reduction and Kirschner wire fixation was performed for the epicondylar fracture. The radial head was reduced closed, and the distal radioulnar joint reduced spontaneously. The mechanism of this unusual injury appears to be hyperpronation of the forearm and valgus stress to the elbow.

Technique of intramedullary fixation for arthrodesis of the wrist in rheumatoid arthritis.

We did 18 arthrodeses of the wrist in 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis using an intramedullary fixation technique. There were 15 women and one man, whose ages at operation ranged from 47 to 71 years (mean 58). Follow up ranged from 13 to 68 months (mean 27). The operative technique consists of a combination of intramedullary placement of two Kirschner (K)-wires and an autogenous bone graft. At follow up bony union was apparent in all cases. K-wires came out of the metacarpal joints in two cases. Paraesthesiae in the median nerve distribution occurred in two cases which both recovered within three months.

Radiographic changes after resection of the distal ulna in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Radiographic changes in the wrist after resection of the distal ulna in 61 rheumatoid patients (63 wrists) were evaluated more than five years after operation. The wrists were classified on preoperative radiographs into stable or unstable forms as defined by Simmen and Huber. Of 63 wrists, 52 were classified as stable and the remaining 11 were classified as unstable. At follow up, 50 of 52 wrists (96%) that were stable before operation had remained stable. Five of the 11 wrists that were unstable before operation had bony ankylosis or partial radiocarpal ankylosis, and in the remaining six cases there was carpal collapse. Resection of the distal ulna yields good results in stable wrists but operation is not indicated for unstable ones.

Rupture of flexor tendons after arthrodesis of the basal joint of the thumb.

We report a case of rupture of the flexor tendons to the index finger after arthrodesis of the basal joint of the thumb. The tendons ruptured as a result of the Kirschner wires having penetrated in the carpal tunnel. This unusual complication was treated by tendon graft of the palmaris longus tendon.