Investigating the magnetic resonance imaging cross-section area that best correlates with intraoperative hamstring autograft size.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to find out the level of the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons that would provide the closest information about the size of the quadruple-stranded hamstring autograft using magnetic resonance images before anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. METHODS: Ninety-six patients (44 males, 52 females) who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with quadruple hamstring tendon autografts between January 2015 and March 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The cross-sectional areas of the gracilis and the semitendinosus tendons at 6 different levels (pes anserinus insertion site, tibial tuberosity, fibular head, tibial plateau, and the proximal insertion sites of the anterior cruciate ligament and the medial collateral ligament were measured on the magnetic resonance images. In addition, the harvested hamstring tendons were measured together (quadrupled) using a standardized graft-sizing block. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between genders in terms of the tendon sizes measured in all levels using magnetic resonance images. There was a strong correlation between the graft size and the measurements made at the tibial plateau level (P < .0001, r=0.590). CONCLUSION: Intraoperative quadruple hamstring tendon sizes were most correlated with the magnetic resonance image measurements at the tibial plateau level. To use a hamstring autograft with a diameter of at least 8 mm for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, the total area of the 2 tendons should be at least 18.11 mm2 in the magnetic resonance image measurements made at the tibial plateau level. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, Diagnostic Study.

Anatomical Factors Which Influence the Formation of Peroneal Tendon Tears: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

This study aims to investigate the anatomical factors that are effective in the formation of peroneal tendon tears comparing with the control group. The patients with ankle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) due to pain on the lateral side of the ankle were retrospectively analyzed using the clinical archive between July 2015 and January 2020. Peroneal tendon tears, peroneal tubercle type and size, presence of peroneal quartus, presence and type of retromalleolar groove, retromalleolar groove area, lateral malleolus type, presence of os peroneum, peroneus brevis-lateral malleolus distance (PBLMD), and accompanying pathologies in coronal, axial, and sagittal planes MRI were evaluated. PBLMD was measured as 27.1 ± 12.3 mm in Group 1. With PBLMD, it was measured as 39.6 ± 11.68 mm in Group 2. There was a significant relationship between low-lying peroneus brevis muscle and peroneal tear (p < .001). Peroneal tendon tear was more common in patients with peroneal quartus muscle (p < .001). There was a relationship between the retromalleolar groove type and the presence of peroneal tear (p = .004). More peroneal tears were observed in the concave retromalleolar groove type. The presence of concave type retromalleolar groove, peroneus quartus, and low-lying peroneus brevis muscle was found to be associated with peroneal tendon tears.

The effect of astaxanthine on ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to compare biochemical and histopathological findings of astaxanthin's potential effects on oxidative stress in ischemia/reperfusion damage (I/R). METHODS: Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group; I/R group; I/R + treatment group; drug group. Astaxanthin was orally administered to groups C and D for 14 days. In groups B and C, the femoral artery was clamped for 2 h to form ischemia. The clamp was opened, and reperfusion was performed for 1 h. In all groups, 4 ml of blood sample through intracardiac puncture and gastrocnemius muscle tissue samples were collected. Serum and tissue samples were analyzed by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total oxidative level (TOL). Necrosis, inflammation, and caspase-3 in muscle tissue collected for histopathological examination were evaluated. RESULTS: Tissue MDA, SOD and TOL values significantly differed between groups. Serum MDA, SOD, TOL and TAC values significantly differed between groups. On necrosis examination, there was a significant difference between groups B and C. Although signs of inflammation significantly differed between groups, there was no significant difference between groups A and C and groups A and D. Although there was a significant difference in caspase-3 results between groups, there was no significant difference between groups A and C. CONCLUSIONS: The use of astaxanthin before and after surgery showed preventive or therapeutic effects against I/R damage.

Effects of Cyanoacrylate in Rabbits with Induced Achilles Tendon Rupture.

BACKGROUND In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (cyanoacrylate) on the biomechanical and histopathological aspects of tendon healing in a rabbit model of Achilles tendon injury. MATERIAL AND METHODS In total, 36 rabbits were randomized to experimental (cyanoacrylate) and control groups (n=36 tendons in each group). A simple suture was used in the control group and a simple suture plus cyanoacrylate was used in the experimental group. Nine rabbits from each group were euthanized at week 4 and week 6 after surgery for histopathological and biomechanical testing. RESULTS Granulation tissue formation was significantly greater in the experimental group in week 4 and week 6 than in the control group. Foreign body giant cell formation was significantly higher in the experimental group in week 4 and week 6. The maximum rupture force was significantly higher in the experimental group in week 4 and week 6 than in the control group. Elasticity and stiffness were comparable between groups in week 4; however, stiffness, but not elasticity, was significantly higher in the experimental group in week 6. CONCLUSIONS In the short term, cyanoacrylate enhanced tendon endurance in both a histopathological and biomechanical manner. We conclude that the early initiation of rehabilitation in patients may be safe in cases of cyanoacrylate use for surgical repair of tendon injury.

Effects of adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction on osteochondral defects treated by hyaluronic acid-based scaffold: An experimental study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effect of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) on osteochondral defects treated by hyaluronic acid (HA)-based scaffold in a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen white New Zealand rabbits were randomly grouped into the experimental group (n=9) and control group (n=9). In all groups, osteochondral defects were induced on the weight-bearing surfaces of the right femoral medial condyles, and a HA-based scaffold was applied to the defect area with microfractures (MFs). In this study, 1 mL of adipose-derived SVF was injected into the knee joints of the rabbits in the experimental group. For histological and macroscopic evaluation, four rabbits were randomly selected from each group at Week 4, and the remaining rabbits were sacrificed at the end of Week 8. Macroscopic assessments of all samples were performed based on the Brittberg scoring system, and microscopic evaluations were performed based on the O'Driscoll scores. RESULTS: Samples were taken at Weeks 4 and 8. At Week 4, the O'Driscoll scores were significantly higher in the control group than the experimental group (p=0.038), while there was no significant difference in the Brittberg scores between the two groups (p=0.108). At Week 8, the O'Driscoll score and Brittberg scores were statistically higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p=0.008 and p=0.007, respectively). According to the microscopic evaluation, at the end of Week 8, the cartilage thickness was greater in the experimental group, and nearly all of the defect area was filled with hyaline cartilage. CONCLUSION: Application of adipose-derived SVF with MF-HA-based scaffold was better than MF-HA-based scaffold treatment in improving osteochondral regeneration. Therefore, it can be used in combination with microfracture and scaffold to accelerate cartilage regeneration, particularly in the treatment of secondary osteoarthritis.

Effect of sedation anesthesia on kinesiophobia and early outcomes after total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) operation is an effective treatment method in severe osteoarthritis worldwide. However, the number of patients with chronic pain and functional limitations in the postoperative period will continue to increase. Kinesiphobia is an important factor that affects the functional outcomes postoperatively. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of intraoperative consciousness of the patients during surgery on kinesiophobia development and early functional outcomes of TKA. METHODS: Sixty patients with the diagnosis of primary knee osteoarthritis were enrolled in the study. Tampa Scale of Kinesiophabia (TSK) was obtained for each patient at multiple time periods. Regional anaesthesia and deep sedation were performed on group 1 (n = 30), while regional anaesthesia and light sedation were performed on group 2 (n = 30). The same surgical procedures were applied to all participants. Functional tests were performed on the patients at the postoperative 2nd and 5th days. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores and knee flexion angles were also measured postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants (19 men (31.7%) and 41women (68.3%)) was 67.7 ± 6.7 (54-82) years. TSK ≥ 40 was detected in 18 (30%) patients preoperatively and 33 patients (55%) postoperatively. The number of kinesiophobic patients showed statistically significant increase after operation (20/30 (66.7%)) according to preoperative period (9/30 (30%)) in group 2 (p = 0.003). Postoperative functional scores, knee flexion angles and VAS scores were better in non-kinesiophobic patients. Conclusion: Patient's consciousness during TKA operations is an important factor that interferes with the postoperative kinesiophobia development, which may play a pivotal role affecting the early mobility and functional outcomes.

Evaluation of the age and gender related changes in the Blumensaat line.

PURPOSE: The position of the patella according to the femur is very important in the evaluation of patella-femoral joint disorders. In 1938, Blumensaat (BS) described the BS line to evaluate the patella femoral congruence. This method is still valuable in clinical use. There is a limited number of studies demonstrating the accuracy of BS method as well as the affected variables. The aim of this study was to evaluate o the age and gender-related changes in the BS line. METHODS: Standard lateral knee radiography was performed to all patients at 30° flexion. The relationship between the BS line and the patella inferior pole was examined and the variability of the measurements according to gender and age groups was investigated by statistical methods. RESULTS: Ninety-five patients (43 men and 52 women) were enrolled in the study. Mean age of the patients were 43.7 ± 14.1 years (48.2 ± 11.7, 37.9 ± 14.8 in women and men, respectively). The BS line was passed through the inferior pole of the patella in only 2 (2.1%) of 95 patients. There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.041) between BS measurement and gender which was found to be higher in females than males. There was no statistically significant correlation with this distance between the age groups (r = - 0.216, p = 0.427). CONCLUSION: In our study, it was concluded that BS measurement differs according to gender but did not have any difference between different age groups.

The effect of pentoxifylline on Achilles tendon healing in tenotomized rabbits.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the potential effects of pentoxifylline (PTX) on tendon healing and to compare the histopathological and biomechanical findings of the healed tendon among the groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 36 male New Zealand albino rabbits (age, 3 months; weighing, 2.5±0.5 kg). Rabbits were randomized into two groups of 18 rabbits each. Partial Achilles tenotomy was performed 1.5 cm proximally from the calcaneal insertion of the tendon in both lower extremities of each rabbit and all groups were repaired primarily. After the operation, saline was injected intramuscularly to the control group and PTX was injected into the PTX group daily. Nine rabbits from each group were euthanized at weeks four and six postoperatively for histopathological (n=4) and biomechanical (n=5) testing. The histopathological findings were evaluated using the staging method of Curtis and Delee. Biomechanical effects were assessed by tensile testing. RESULTS: In the biomechanical evaluation results, the maximum displacement and maximum breaking force in the PTX group at fourth week were significantly higher than the control group. In the sixth week, the maximum breaking force in the control group was significantly higher than the PTX group. In the histopathological examination, collagen fiber alignment was more regular and vascularization was more frequent in the PTX group at both fourth and sixth weeks and the difference was significant. CONCLUSION: Pentoxifylline increased healing and strength in rabbit Achilles tendon by stimulating collagen synthesis, increasing vascularity and reducing inflammation, particularly in the early period both histopathologically and biomechanically. According to our study, PTX may be favorable for the treatment of human Achilles tendon injuries and tendinopathies.

Effects of tranexamic acid on the recovery of osteochondral defects treated by microfracture and acellular matrix scaffold: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Microfracture and scaffold application in the treatment of osteochondral defects is still one of the most frequently used methods in the clinic. The most important step in this treatment method is the stabilization of fibrin clot. Tranexamic acid (TA) is an antifibrinolytic agent commonly used in orthopedic surgery in recent years. This study evaluated the effect of local TA application on healing of experimentally induced osteochondral defects on rabbits. METHODS: This paper contains an animal in vivo data and histological outcomes on the effect of TA. Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were treated unilaterally and cylindrical defects having a width of 4 mm and depth of 5 mm were created in the weight-bearing surfaces of the medial and lateral condyles of the right femur. They were divided into two groups, as group 1 study and group 2 control groups, respectively. One milliliter (ml) of TA was injected into the knee joints of the subjects in group 1. All animals were sacrificed for the extraction of the femur condyles for histologic study at the fourth and eighth weeks after surgery. Histological evaluations were performed by Brittberg and O'Driscoll scores to all samples. Data were organized in a Standard Statistical Package System v.22 software package (SPSS/PC Inc., Chicago, IL.) and reported as mean and median (min-max). Repeated measures ANOVA test was used to compare groups and condyle effects together for each week. p values below 0.05 were considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: Samples were taken in the fourth and eighth weeks. The regularity of the surface in group 1 was smoother, and the tissue stability was more robust. Mean Brittberg scores in both weeks were statistically higher in group 1 when compared with group 2. In the microscopic evaluation, it was observed that the regeneration of subchondral and cartilage tissues were more rapid and organized in group 1, and the mean O' Driscoll scores in both weeks were statistically higher in group 1. CONCLUSIONS: Application of TA improves the healing time and tissue stability in osteochondral defects which are implanted a-cellular scaffold after microfracture and should be applicable to humans for the treatment of osteochondral defects.

Asymmetric bilateral hip dislocations and unilateral femoral head fracture: A CASE report.

Hip is a stabilized joint due to the surrounding ligaments, and muscles, which can dislocate as a result of high energy trauma, high-level falls, and motor vehicle accidents. Traumatic hip dislocations can either be isolated or simultaneously with acetabular and proximal femur fractures. At the same time injury of sciatic, femoral or obturator nerves can be seen. However, avascular necrosis of femoral head, posttraumatic osteoarthritis, and heterotopic ossifications can be seen as prolonged complications. The period prior to the reduction, severity of the trauma, and performing open or close reductions are the major contributors of the prognosis. As an extremely rare entity, bilateral asymmetrical hip dislocations are reported as the 0.01-0.02% of all joint dislocations. Accompanying proximal femoral fractures are pointed out 17%, one of them is femoral head fractures which are orthopedic emergencies that need to be fixed with surgery. However, high incidence of AVN is reported at the end of 2 years even if following early reductions. In our article, traumatic bilateral asymmetric hip dislocations and femoral head fracture is described in the context of a diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.

Ultrasound-guided femoral and sciatic nerve blocks combined with sedoanalgesia versus spinal anesthesia in total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Although regional anesthesia is the first choice for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA), it may not be effective and the risk of complications is greater in patients who are obese or who have spinal deformities. We compared the success of ultrasound-guided femoral and sciatic nerve blocks with sedoanalgesia versus spinal anesthesia in unilateral TKA patients in whom spinal anesthesia was difficult. METHODS: We enrolled 30 patients; 15 for whom spinal anesthesia was expected to be difficult were classified as the block group, and 15 received spinal anesthesia. Regional anesthesia was achieved with bupivacaine 62.5 mg and prilocaine 250 mg to the sciatic nerve, and bupivacaine 37.5 mg and prilocaine 150 mg to the femoral nerve. Bupivacaine 20 mg was administered to induce spinal anesthesia. Hemodynamic parameters, pain and sedation scores, and surgical and patient satisfaction were compared. RESULTS: A sufficient block could not be obtained in three patients in the block group. The arterial pressure was significantly lower in the spinal group (P < 0.001), and the incidence of nausea was higher (P = 0.017) in this group. Saturation and patient satisfaction were lower in the block group (P < 0.028), while the numerical pain score (P < 0.046) and the Ramsay sedation score were higher (P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided sciatic and femoral nerve blocks combined with sedoanalgesia were an alternative anesthesia method in selected TKA patients.

Effect of strontium ranelate on fracture healing in the osteoporotic rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of strontium ranelate (SrR) on fracture healing in the osteoporotic rat model. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats aged 3 months were enrolled in the study. Osteoporosis was induced by bilateral ovariectomy and subsequent daily heparin injection started 1 week after surgery and lasted for 4 weeks. Osteoporosis was confirmed by a reduction of bone mineral density (BMD). Twenty of the osteoporotic rats were assigned to the SrR group and the remaining 20 to the control group. An open right tibial midshaft transverse fracture was created and then an intramedullary fixation was performed. SrR group was treated by 450 mg/kg/day SrR per oral. Six weeks after surgical induction of fracture, all animals were sacrificed. One animal from each group died after ovariectomy. Two tibiae from the control group failed to unite. SrR-treated group showed higher mechanical strength and fracture stiffness when compared to the control group (p = 0.006, p = 0.001, respectively). SrR-treated group had mature woven bone or predominantly woven bone compared with osteoporotic control group (p = 0.038). SrR-treated group's callus maturity was significantly higher than control group (p = 0.001). SrR is associated with better fracture healing in the osteoporotic rat model.

Efficacy of moxifloxacin compared to teicoplanin in the treatment of implant-related chronic osteomyelitis in rats.

Treatment of implant-related chronic osteomyelitis is often difficult and usually consists of implant removal, extensive surgical debridement, and prolonged antibiotic use. This study was performed to assess the efficacy of moxifloxacin compared to a glycopeptide, teicoplanin in chronic implant-related methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) osteomyelitis. The left femoral medullar cavities of 60 Wistar male rats were contaminated with 100 µl of 10(8) cfu/ml methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (ATCC 29213) and Kirschner wires were placed into the medulla of the femur. After 6 weeks, rats were randomly divided into five groups. In two groups, the Kirschner wires were removed. Experimental groups were as follows: group 1: contaminated, Kirschner wire inside, received teicoplanin; group 2: contaminated, Kirschner wire removed, received teicoplanin; group 3: contaminated, Kirschner wire inside, received moxifloxacin; group 4: contaminated, Kirschner wire removed, received moxifloxacin; group 5: contaminated, Kirschner wire inside, no antibiotics (control group). Groups 1 and 2 received teicoplanin (20 mg/kg once daily), whereas groups 3 and 4 received moxifloxacin (10 mg/kg twice daily) intraperitoneally for 28 days. At the end of the treatment, animals were sacrificed by inhalation anesthesia with ether and femora were retrieved and bacterial counts (cfu/g) were determined. Bacterial counts in all study groups were significantly reduced relative to the control. The decrease of bacterial counts was more prominent in group 4 compared to group 1 (p = 0.001) and group 2 (p = 0.003). Moxifloxacin therapy is an effective alternative to teicoplanin for chronic implant-related MSSA osteomyelitis.

Comparison of high-dose extracorporeal shockwave therapy and intralesional corticosteroid injection in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of high-dose extracorporeal shockwave therapy applied with an ankle block and corticosteroid injection in patients with plantar fasciitis whose symptoms persisted for more than 6 months. METHODS: Sixty patients were assessed clinically at presentation and at 3-month follow-up with a patient-assessed 100-mm visual analog scale of pain and a physician-assessed heel tenderness index. A therapeutic response rate was evaluated. A decrease of at least 50% from baseline to 3 months in visual analog scale or heel tenderness index scores was accepted as a successful result. RESULTS: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy and corticosteroid injection provided significant improvements in visual analog scale and heel tenderness index scores, but between the two groups there was no significant difference in the visual analog scale score change 3 months after treatment (P > .05). Twenty-seven of 33 patients (82%) in the extracorporeal shockwave therapy group and 23 of 27 (85%) in the corticosteroid injection group had a successful therapeutic response after 3 months. CONCLUSIONS: Corticosteroid injection and extracorporeal shockwave therapy are successful treatment modalities for plantar fasciitis. Corticosteroid injection treatment is cost effective compared with extracorporeal shockwave therapy, and corticosteroid injection may be the first treatment choice according to these results.

Patellar tendinopathy caused by a para-articular/extraskeletal osteochondroma in the lateral infrapatellar region of the knee: a case report.

Patellar tendinopathy is characterized by activity-related anterior knee pain. It is most commonly related to sports activity, but has also been reported in the non-athletic population. Most injuries are caused by microtrauma, resulting in tendinitis or tendinosis. Extraskeletal paraarticular osteochondromas, which occur in the soft tissues near the joint, are rare. The infrapatellar fat pad and joint capsule are the most common sites of these tumors. Here, a case of patellar tendinitis caused by an extraskeletal paraarticular osteochondroma is reported. The symptoms included intensifying pain upon flexion and a palpable click that was located at the medial side of the mass. The patient was pain-free within 3 weeks after excision of the tumor and the clicking disappeared. To our best knowledge, no other case of patellar tendinitis caused by an extraskeletal paraarticular osteochondroma has been reported in the English literature.

Early and delayed treatment of dorsal transscaphoid perilunate fracture-dislocations.

OBJECTIVES: Transscaphoid perilunate fracture-dislocations are complex injuries. The aim of this study is to discuss and compare open reduction and internal fixation for acute and delayed transscaphoid perilunate fracture-dislocations and review the literature. DESIGN: The design of this study is retrospective and randomized. SETTINGS: Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Twelve cases (6 acute and 6 delayed) of dorsal stage 2 fracture-dislocations were involved in the study. INTERVENTION: Scaphoid fractures were treated with reduction and internal fixation by using either a cannulated screw or a Herbert screw. Temporary triquetrocapitate and lunotriquetral fixation were performed in all cases using two 1.8-mm Kirschner wires after reduction of the dislocations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: Range of motion (flexion and extension), grip strength evaluation with Jamar dynamometer, comparison of preoperative and early postoperative average of scapholunate (SL) and radiolunate angle (RL), and revised carpal height ratio were used for outcomes assessment. Clinical evaluation was performed according to the clinical scoring system modified from Green and O'Brien. Revised carpal height ratio, SL angle, RL angle, and appearance of midcarpal arthritis were used for radiologic analysis. RESULTS: Average follow-up period was 45 months (23-70). Mean clinical score of early treated group and delayed treated group was 89.2 (good) and 72.5 (fair), respectively, according to clinical scoring system of Green and O'Brien. The overall clinical score of all cases was 80.8 (good). Two of the 6 cases in the delayed group developed posttraumatic midcarpal arthritis. Mean range of motion (flexion and extension) was 129.5 +/- 20.42 degrees in the early treated group and 95.5 +/- 18.08 degrees in the delayed group. Four of the 6 patients treated in the acute group gained normal grip strength, but 2 patients had more than 50% loss in grip strength compared with the contralateral wrist. Two of the 6 patients in the delayed group had normal grip strength, and 4 patients had more than 50% loss in grip strength compared with the contralateral wrist. The mean grip strength of the normal hands of all patients was 43.75 +/- 7.71 kg. The mean grip strength of the early treated group was 34.00 +/- 12.83 kg, whereas the mean grip strength of the delayed treated group was 26.33 +/- 13.48 kg. Average SL and RL angle in the early postoperative period were 47.5 and -9.40 degrees, respectively. At the last follow-up, average SL and RL angle were 55.5 and 5.43 degrees, respectively. The revised carpal height ratio was 1.51 in the early postoperative period and decreased to 1.45 at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend open reduction and internal fixation for early and delayed transscaphoid perilunate fracture-dislocations.

Lipoma arborescens of the suprapatellar bursa and extensor digitorum longus tendon sheath: report of 2 cases.

OBJECTIVE: Lipoma arborescens (diffuse articular lipomatosis) is a rare intra-articular lesion consisting of subsynovial villous proliferation of mature fat cells. The usual clinical presentation is painless swelling. The aim of this series was to emphasize the importance of gray scale and color Doppler sonography through the investigation of chronic joint swelling. METHODS: Lipoma arborescens of the knee and extensor digitorum longus tendon sheath at the ankle region are described. The latter is extremely rare. We examined 2 patients with sonography before using cross-sectional modalities. RESULTS: Gray scale sonography revealed hyperechoic irregular villous and frondlike projections within prominent joint effusion. A wavelike motion of the projections was shown by dynamic compression and manipulation of the effusion. We observed moderate vascularity on color Doppler sonography. Spectral analysis revealed a low-resistance arterial waveform. CONCLUSIONS: Gray scale sonography is a useful diagnostic modality that can be performed to evaluate chronic joint swelling before the use of cross-sectional and more expensive modalities.

[The use of local anesthesia in endoscopic release of the carpal tunnel]. / Endoskopik karpal tünel cerrahisinde lokal anestezi teknigi.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the early results of endoscopic carpal tunnel release with the use of local anesthesia. METHODS: Endoscopic carpal tunnel release was performed in 14 hands of 10 patients (8 females, 2 males; mean age 43 years; range 35 to 58 years) using the two-portal Chow technique following local anesthesia described by Wood and Logan. Involvement was in the right hand in five patients, in the left in three, and in both hands in two patients. Electromyography showed moderate or severe compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel and the Tinel's and Phalen's signs were positive in all the patients. There was no previous history of metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, gout, or hypothyroidism, nor a coexisting pregnancy. The decision for surgery was given at the end of an unsuccessful conservative treatment for a month. The mean follow-up period was 16 months (range 10 to 24 months). RESULTS: Two patients (14.3%) required further anesthesia with local anesthetic agents and sedation in the incision area. No complaints of paresthesia were seen during injections. Injection-associated problems such as increased thickness of the synovial layer or decreased endoscopic view did not occur. No instances of tendon or nerve injury, hematoma, or sympathetic dystrophy were seen. One patient developed neuropraxia in the third and forth fingers postoperatively. Early postoperative pain was observed in two wrists, appearing 10 days and two months after surgery, respectively. During the follow-up period, all the patients were free of preoperative complaints and no recurrences were encountered. CONCLUSION: Local anesthesia is a rapid and reliable technique in carpal tunnel surgery, enabling hospitalization confined to the same day.

[Avulsion fracture of the anterior superior iliac spine in a volleyball player]. / Amatör voleybol oyuncusunda anterior superior iliak spine avulsiyon kirigi.

Avulsion fractures of the apophyses of the pelvis rarely occur in adolescent athletes as a result of sudden and strong contraction of the muscles attached to the growth cartilage. We present a 16-year-old male patient who had an avulsion fracture of the left anterior superior iliac spine while he was playing volleyball. He presented with complaints of pain in the left hip and difficulty in walking. The diagnosis was made by means of pelvis x-rays, computed tomography, and three-phase radionuclide bone imaging. He underwent conservative treatment with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and bed rest. After two weeks, ambulation with crutches was allowed. At the end of four weeks, he was able to walk without crutches. He returned to his preinjury level of sports activities at the end of six weeks, without any complaint of pain.

[Endoscopic carpal ligament release using the Chow technique: early clinical results]. / Endoskopik karpal tünel gevsetme: Chow teknigi ve erken dönem klinik sonuçlari.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the clinical results of endoscopic carpal ligament release in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: Twenty-six hands of 20 patients (16 females, 4 males; mean age 50 years; range 30 to 65 years) underwent endoscopic carpal ligament release according to the technique described by Chow. Clinical and electromyographic findings were compatible with carpal tunnel syndrome. The mean follow-up period was 13.2 months (range 3 to 28 months). RESULTS: Clinical and electromyographic improvement was obtained in all patients. Complications included superficial wound infection in one patient and neuropraxia of the digital nerve in three patients. The mean time to return to work was 22.5 days. No incision-site pain or localized scar sensitivity were noted. Excellent or good results were achieved in 24 hands (92%). CONCLUSION: With a good knowledge of endoscopic anatomy and adequate experience, endoscopic carpal ligament release is an appropriate alternative in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, resulting in lower complication rates, early return to daily activities and work, and a lower morbidity.