TREATMENT OF SCAPHOID NONUNION WITH OLECRANON BONE GRAFT AND COMPRESSION SCREW.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of olecranon bone graft and compression screw for the treatment of nonunion of the Lichtman type I scaphoid. METHOD: We evaluated 15 patients of 32 who underwent surgical treatment for nonunion of the Lichtman type I scaphoid with olecranon bone graft and screw compression. RESULTS: We obtained 100% consolidation in our sample. The mean flexion of the wrist on the affected side was 68° and 75° on the non-affected side. The average extension was 63° and 72°, respectively. The average grip strength was 35 kgf. This corresponds to 98% of the handgrip strength of the non-affected side, which was 37 kgf. The DASH score averaged 5 points. CONCLUSION: We believe that the use of bone graft obtained from the olecranon and secured with cannulated screw is a resolute technique for cases of linear nonunion of the Lichtmann type I scaphoid. It has the advantages of a new anesthesia for removal of the graft and the access is easy, providing a good exposure for removal and good aesthetic results. Level of evidence IV. Case series.

ELBOW ULNAR NEUROPATHY: TREATMENT BY ANTERIOR TRANSPOSITION OF THE ULNAR NERVE.

OBJECTIVES: Retrospective clinical evaluation of 31 patients who underwent ulnar nerve decompression at the elbow and subcutaneous anterior transposition. METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2013, 71 patients underwent subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. Thirty-one patients returned for evaluation. The mean follow-up period was 60 months. Patients were evaluated for the degree of satisfaction after surgery, paresthesia, pain, Tinel sign, Froment test and sensitivity test by esthesiometer, muscle strength of the intrinsic muscles and deep flexor of the fifth digit, visual analogic pain scale (VAS) and were subjected to the QuickDash questionnaire. RESULTS: Thirty-nine per cent of patients had compression on the right side and 61% on the left side. Sixty-one percent were idiopathic, 35% post traumatic and 3% had Poems syndrome. Forty-eight per cent of patients were very much satisfied after surgery and 52% were satisfied. Forty-eight per cent had paresthesia after surgery and 52% did not. CONCLUSION: The ulnar neurolysis of the cubital tunnel with anterior subcutaneous transposition is a safe and effective technique for treating idiopathic or post-traumatic compressive neuropathy, with high success rate and excellent function for activities of daily living. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

WRIST ARTHRODESIS WITH MINIMAL FIXATION PRESERVING THE CARPOMETACARPAL JOINTS.

OBJECTIVE: Wrist arthrodesis is a surgical procedure that should always be considered in cases of pathological conditions in which anatomical and functional structures are altered. In general, the results are very satisfactory, particularly for pain relief, and in the majority of cases, there is considerable functional improvement. Various techniques have been described, with different methods of internal fixation, most of which include the carpometacarpal joints in the fusion. The objective of this study was to evaluate the results from wrist arthrodesis using a technique that is simpler, more biological, less expensive, and does not involve the carpometacarpal joints. METHODS: Fifteen patients with wrist arthrodesis were evaluated (six with sequelae from trauma, four with rheumatoid arthritis, three with Kienbock grade IV, one with Preiser and one with panarthrosis). The technique consisted of using an iliac bone plate and internal fixation with Kirschner wires, avoiding the carpometacarpal joints. RESULTS: The evaluation was based on consolidation time (93% in seven weeks); movements of the fingers and pronosupination; pinch and grasp strength; functional evaluation through the DASH, pain and patient satisfaction questionnaires. In general, the results were similar to those of other, more aggressive techniques, and the non-inclusion of the carpometacarpal joints did not affect the final result. CONCLUSION: Wrist arthrodesis with fixation using Kirschner wires and an iliac bone plate, preserving the carpometacarpal joints, gives good or excellent results that are not inferior to those of other techniques that have been described. However, it presents major advantages over other methods: it is less aggressive and cheaper, and does not have the inconvenience and complications associated with the use of plates and screws.