Median and ulnar nerve injuries; what causes different repair outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve injuries have significant effects on patients' life quality. To make patients' therapeutic expectations more realistic, prediction of repair outcome has significant importance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Totally, 74 patients with 94 nerve injuries (44 median and 50 ulnar nerves) were evaluated and followed up for 5 years between 2008 and 2013 in two main university hospitals of Isfahan. Patients' age was 6-64 years. 24 nerves were excluded from the study and among the remaining; 53 nerves were repaired primarily and 17 nerves secondarily. 42 nerves were injured at a low-level, 17 nerves at intermediate and 11 at a high one. Medical Research Council Scale used for sensory and motor assessment. S3+ and S4 scores for sensory recovery and M4 and M5 scores for motor recovery were considered as favorable results. The follow-up time was between 8 and 24 months. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between favorable sensory outcomes of median and ulnar nerves. The difference between favorable motor outcomes of the median nerve was higher than ulnar nerve (P = 0.03, odds ratio = 2.9). More favorable results were seen in high-level injuries repair than low ones (P = 0.035), and also cases followed more than 18 months compared to less than 12 months (P = 0.041), respectively. The favorable outcomes for patients younger than 16 were more than 40 and older, however, their difference was not significant (P = 0.059). The difference between primary and secondary repair favorable outcomes was not significant (P = 0.37). CONCLUSION: In patients older than 40 or injured at a high-level, there is a high possibility of repetitive operations and reconstructive measures. The necessity for long-term follow-up and careful attentions during a postoperative period should be pointed to all patients.

Benign joint hypermobility syndrome in soldiers; what is the effect of military training courses on associated joint instabilities?

BACKGROUND: Hypermobile joints are joints with beyond normal range of motion and may be associated with joint derangements. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of benign joint hypermobility syndrome (BJHS) among soldiers and effect of training courses on related joint instabilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a prospective cohort study on 721 soldiers of Iran Army in Isfahan in 2013 the prevalence of joint hypermobility was obtained by using Beighton criteria. Soldiers divided in two groups of healthy and suffered based on their scores. The prevalence of ankle sprain, shoulder and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocations identified before beginning service by history-taking and reviewing paraclinical documents. After 3 months of military training, a recent occurrence of mentioned diseases was revaluated in two groups. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS-20 software using Independent-T and Chi-square tests. RESULTS: The frequency of BJHS before military training was 29.4%. After passing military training period, the incidence of ankle sprain was significantly higher in suffered group achieving the minimum Beighton score (BS) of 4 (4.3%, P = 0.03), 5 (5.5%, P = 0.005) and also 6 out of 9 (6.5%, P = 0.01). The incidence of TMJ dislocation was not significantly different based on a minimum score of 4, while it was higher in suffered group when considering the score of 5 (2.1%) and 6 (2.6%) for discrimination of two groups (P = 0.03). There was no significant difference between two groups in case of shoulder dislocation anyway. CONCLUSION: Military training can increase the incidence of ankle sprains and TMJ dislocations in hypermobility persons with higher BS in comparison with healthy people. Therefore, screening of joint hypermobility may be useful in identifying individuals at increased risk for joint instabilities.

Comparing the treatment results of proximal humerus fracture based on surgical or nonsurgical methods.

BACKGROUND: A common type of Humerus fractures is about proximal. This study aimed to compare the results of surgical and non-surgical methods in treatment the Fracture of Proximal Humerus for decisions based on high-performance and less side effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective clinical trial study was done on 114 patients 30-80 years old with proximal humerus fracture referred to the Isfahan hospital universities (Ayatollah Kashani and Al Zahra hospitals) in 2007-2012. They were divided into two groups of 57 and treated surgically or non-surgically. The self provided questionnaires were used to assess the consequences of the side effects. The patients returned for trial check up during 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and one year after intervention. RESULT: In two parts fracture with displacement, nonsurgical treatment had lead to more complications rather than surgical treatment. In three-parts fracture non-union was seen in nonsurgical method in 6 weeks and in surgical method in 3, 6 months and one year after treatment, malunion was seen more in nonsurgical method rather than surgical method. In four-part fracture none-union results was seen more in nonsurgical method in 6 weeks, 3 months and one year and in surgical method in 6 months after treatment, mal union was seen more in nonsurgical method rather than surgical method. CONCLUSION: The surgery in three and four parts fractures had fewer complications in the patients under 50 but not in the elders.

Clinical Outcomes of Radial Shortening Osteotomy and Vascularized Bone Graft in Kienböck's Disease.

The aim of this study was to compare two surgery methods including radial shortening and radial shortening combined with vascularized bone graft for treatment of stage II or IIIa of Kienböck's disease. It is a randomized, controlled clinical trial, which was carried out in 2011-2013. Twenty-four patients were assigned equally to radial shortening group (A) or radial shortening combined with vascularized bone graft group (B). The outcome was assessed by Mayo Wrist score before and 9 months after surgery. The mean Mayo Wrist score (SD) was 27.1 (15.4) and 32.5 (18.3) before surgery and 74.6 (5.4) and 85.8 (5.1) after surgery for groups A and B, respectively. The mean score increased in both groups, and it was higher in group B significantly. Radial shortening combined with vascularized bone graft is a valuable method which can be more effective than radial shortening alone, in early stages of Kienböck's disease. This trial is registered with IRCT201404127841N5.

Floating knee injuries: Results of treatment and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Floating knee, referred to as ipsilateral fractures of the femur and tibia, is usually associated with several complications and mortality. This study was designed to present our experience with treatment of this injury throughout; age, sex, mechanism of injury, associated injuries, method and results of treatment, and complications of floating knee are discussed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was performed between January 2006 and December 2011. All patients with floating knee injuries who were admitted to the referral educational hospitals were included. The information about the 238 cases of floating knee injuries were gathered through the 254,620 trauma files and after excluding 18 patients who died within 6 months, the remaining files were studied and the target information was recorded. RESULTS: The most frequent age group was 20-29 years (44.5%). The floating knee injuries were more common in males (85.5%). Type (D) according to "the classification of Letts and Vincent" was observed in 38.9% cases. The most frequent mechanism of injury was car to motorcycles accidents (48.2%). The most common associated injury was pelvic fractures (86.8%). Open reduction and internal fixation was the common type of treatment (70%). The most common early and late complications were knee hemarthrosis in 31 cases (14%) and knee osteoarthritis in 30 cases (13.6%), respectively. Death during the 5 years follow up was due to circulatory disruption, followed by deep vein thrombosis (61%). There was a significant relation between the age and outcomes as it worsens with age (P-value < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that the complication rate associated with floating knee injuries remained high, regardless of the used treatment regimen and surgeons should focus on reducing complications while treating it.

Evaluation of instability factors in distal radius fractures.

BACKGROUND: Fractures of distal radius are one of the most common fractures seen by physicians and account for 20% of all fractures seen in the emergency room. Various factors contribute in secondary displacement of fracture fragments after anatomic or near anatomic close reduction and cast immobilization in distal radius fractures. This study was designed to examine the correlation between radiographic outcomes in the closed treatment of unstable distal radius fractures and different risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty-seven patients were included in this prospective study. There were 107 women and 50 men; with a mean age of 51 ± 16.7 years (range: 20-86 years). During the follow-up in all radiographs, the following variables were analyzed as instability factors: (1) Age, (2) gender, (3) radial shortening, (4) dorsal comminution, (5) articular step-off, (6) radial inclination, (7) associated ulna fracture, and (8) dorsal angulation. RESULTS: Based on the radiographic criteria for an acceptable reduction, 92 patients (58.6%) failed to maintain an acceptable reduction and classified as group I, while in 65 patients (41.4%), the postoperative radiographs were within an acceptable range and classified as group II. The mean age of patients in group I was higher than group II (P < 0.001). Radial shortening of more than 6.5 mm, loss of radial inclination of more than 6.5 degrees, and age above 52 at presentation were the most important predictive factors for instability. CONCLUSION: Among the variables, the most important predictors of redisplacement after an acceptable closed reduction were loss of radial height, loss of radial inclination, and age.

Operative compared to non-operative treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of open reduction and rigid internal fixation of displaced calcaneal fractures with that of non operative treatment. METHODS: Seventy two consecutive patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures were selected regarding inclusive and exclusive criteria and then were randomly allocated to surgical and non surgical groups. First group underwent open reduction and internal fixation with reconstruction plate and screws fixation and the other group were treated with closed reduction and cast immobilization. Data were collected by clinical observation and a check list. Data was analyzed by chi-square and student's t-test. RESULTS: The results showed significant difference between outcomes of surgical treatment and nonsurgical method (p = 0.001). There were some differences between two methods in terms of decreasing pain [Odd Ratio (OR): 6.72, p = 0.001], swelling (OR: 6.80, p = 0.001), increased range of motion of the joints (p = 0.001), decreased late osteoarthritis (OR: 2.33, p = 0.22) in favor of surgical group. CONCLUSIONS: Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced calcaneal fractures in absence of open fracture, severe osteoporosis, or comminution, poor general condition may be the preferred method of treatment.