[Osteochondral lesions of the talus -- indications for MRI with a contrast agent]. / Osteochondrale Läsionen am Talus - Indikationen zur MRT mit Kontrastmittel.

AIM: This study aims to establish the indication for a pre- and postoperative MRI examination with an intravenous contrast agent in patients with an osteochondral lesion of the talus. METHODS: 20 patients with an osteochondral lesion of the talus in the different stages according to DiPaola were prospectively examined preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively by an MRI investigation with an i. v. contrast agent. The Weber ankle score was determined pre- and postoperatively. A correlation was calculated between MRI and arthroscopic findings of an osteochondral lesion (Spearman-rho). RESULTS: There was a significant correlation among the radiological, the MRI and the arthroscopically determined locations. With regard to staging only 12 out of 20 lesions were staged correctly by MRI using arthroscopy as a gold standard. Due to metal artifacts and morphological changes the postoperative MRI could not be used for staging. CONCLUSION: A preoperative MRI investigation is indicated in patients with ankle pain of unknown origin, a normal radiograph and a suspected osteochondral lesion of the talus. MRI is not indicated to determine the localization and the stage of an osteochondral lesion. A postoperative MRI is only necessary for the exclusion of a secondary pathology.

Arthroscopic treatment of septic joints: prognostic factors.

From 1987 to 1993, 88 patients (average age 48 years, range 3 months to 83 years) with septic arthritis were treated at the orthopaedic clinic König Ludwig Haus of the University of Würzburg by arthroscopic means consisting of joint debridement and application of suction drains, combined with appropriate antibiotics and early functional treatment. The series consisted of 78 knees, 8 shoulders and 3 ankles. At the first visit to our clinic, patients typically presented with fever, leucocytosis, elevated sedimentation rate and localized findings in almost every joint involved (generalized tenderness, swelling, effusion, painful and limited range of motion). All the patients were taken to the operating room on an emergency basis. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were given before the initial culture was evaluated, and its sensitivity was determined. Recovery from arthritis by elimination of joint effusion and disappearance of the inflammatory syndrome occurred in all the joints except for 3 (1 knee joint and 2 shoulders). The number of arthroscopic procedures needed to become free from infection depended on the one hand on the time between onset of symptoms and arthroscopic surgery and on the other on the kind of microorganism discovered. At the average follow-up evaluation after 2.5 years (range 6 months to 5 years), the functional results were excellent or good in 61% of the patients, satisfactory in 20% and poor in 19% from our series. This functional outcome depends on the degenerative changes of the joint before infection, patient's age, and the time interval between onset of symptoms and surgical intervention; indirectly, the time lapse between the onset of infection and surgical intervention also had an influence on the intraoperative macroscopic appearance.

Transient bone marrow oedema of the foot.

We treated ten patients who on the basis of MRI were suspected to have transient bone marrow oedema. In eight cases the talus was affected, in one the cuboid and in one the navicular bone. All patients had acute onset pain at the ankle. Four were treated with core decompression and had an immediate pain relief. Six were treated conservatively and became also pain-free but with considerable delay.

[The role of MRI in therapy and follow-up after surgical treatment of osteochondrosis dissecans of the talus]. / Die Rolle der MRT in der Therapie- und Verlaufskontrolle nach operativ therapierter Osteochondrosis dissecans des Talus.

AIM: Our study was designed to evaluate the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the follow-up of surgically treated osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) of the talus. METHOD: We investigated 16 patients (18 joints) with OCD of the talus, surgically treated in our department between 1990 and 1997. All of them had preoperative MRI scans of the affected ankle. The mean follow-up was 40 months (8-82). All patients were evaluated by clinical examination, plain radiography and MRI using a standard protocol. RESULTS: The clinical Bray score improved significantly from 58 preoperative to 82 postoperative. Using a visual analogue scale we saw a significant reduction of the patients pain level post-op. In 72% of the patients the preoperative MRI was able to predict the accurate stage of the cartilage. Postoperative MRI showed no more lesion in 3, intact articular cartilage in 11, and disrupted cartilage in 4 joints. There was no correlation between clinical, plain radiographical, and MRI findings postoperative. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopy remains the golden standard in evaluating articular cartilage. Using our data, MRI is not the method of choice in the follow-up of surgically treated OCD lesions of the talus. Postoperative use of intravenous contrast media gave no additional information. Postoperative MRI should be reserved only for symptomatic patients to gather additional information about the actual state of the OCD. Afterwards a prompt arthroscopy of the symptomatic ankle should be performed.

Experimental photodynamic laser therapy for rheumatoid arthritis with a second generation photosensitizer.

Photodynamic laser therapy has been shown to be a new method for the treatment of synovitis in various animal models. Its principle is the accumulation of a photosensitizing drug in the inflamed synovium which is destroyed by photoactivation of the drug. In the present animal study we demonstrate the effect of a second-generation photosensitizer and suggest a concept for light dosimetry within the joint. We used 38 inbred rabbits for the IgG-induced arthritis model; 2 mg/kg of the benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring-A (BPD-MA) Verteporfin were administered 3 h before irradiation, which was performed using a 690-nm diode laser coupled to quartz glass fiber with a cylinder diffusor tip at a total light energy of either 180 or 470 J. During irradiation specific fluorescence of BPD-MA was monitored using a spectroscopy unit. The effect of the photodynamic laser therapy was documented grossly and histologically after 1 week. Within the 470 J-group a complete necrosis of the inflamed synovium was observed. The bradytrophic structures of the joint, however, remained unchanged. Throughout the 180 J-group the extent of necrosis was minor. During irradiation the tissue fluorescence of BPD-MA showed a dose-dependent decrease. Using BPD-MA as a photosensitizer a highly selective and minimal invasive synoviorthesis can be performed. At a dose of 2 mg/kg the histological effect depends on the light dose. For optimum efficacy a total energy of 470 J seems favorable. Online fluorescence detection can be used to monitor the effect of light administration. For dosimetry therefore an online tissue fluorescence detection may represent a technical solution.

[Resection of the head of the ulna in patients with rheumatoid arthritis]. / Die Resektion des Ulnakopfes bei Rheumatikern.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to investigate value and effect of distal ulna resection (Darrach procedure) on the wrist in rheumatoid arthritis. CLINICAL MATERIAL: From 1985 to 1995, resection of the distal ulna was performed in 47 patients (54 hands) with rheumatoid arthritis. 38 patients (6 men, 32 women, 43 hands) had an average clinical and radiological follow up of 4.7 years (range 3 to 13 years). RESULTS: 15 of the cases with rheumatoid arthritis were pain-free, 19 complained about pain after severe stress, seven complained about pain after mild stress and two about continuous pain. 85% of the patients had a range of motion (pro- and supination) of more than 120 degrees. 75% of the patients had a good or very good wrist function. In 32 cases, the patients were absolutely satisfied with the operative outcome, in five cases, they had expected more improvement. Six reported, that there was no change due to the operation. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that the main indication for the resection of the distal ulna is rheumatoid arthritis. This operation does not influence the progress of rheumatoid arthritis. Preoperative radiological changes (Larsen's classification) have the main prognostic value. In Larsen's II and higher, a partial arthrodesis is recommended.

[Hallux varus congenitus]. / Der Hallux varus congenitus.

INTRODUCTION: The congenital hallux varus is a rare hereditary deformity of the big toe, which often is combined either with polydactylia or with systemic deformities of the skeleton. The congenital hallux varus can be easily diagnosed clinically. The X-ray shows the ossified bony elements and provides information about the shape and number of the digits as well as their axial deviation. An operative treatment is required. So far a standardized surgical technique has not been accepted for all types of hallux varus. METHODS: The correction of the bony structures and soft tissues is planned by means of preoperative scetches. The amount of correction depends on the degree of the deformity. As consequence of the reorientation of the first ray a soft tissue flap has to be planned and prepared for wound closure which otherwise would need larger grafts. RESULTS: Based on this series the clinical and radiological appearance of the congenital hallux varus are discussed. The operative treatment is explained step by step illustrated by photographs as well as planing scetches. Our procedures are compared to other operative methods reported in the literature. CONCLUSIONS: There are no diagnostic problems with the hallux varus deformity. For therapy surgery is mandatory and recommended between 9 and 24 months of age. For microsurgical preparation and correction of the deformity planning of all surgical steps and alternatives is advocated, this allows for good functional and cosmetic results.

[Arterial blood flow in congenital idiopathic clubfoot]. / Zur arteriellen Gefässversorgung bei kongenitalen idiopathischen Klumpfüssen.

A doppler ultrasound study investigated vascularity in congenital idiopathic clubfeet (talipes equinovarus, (TEV) pretreated only by casting and physiotherapy. The studies were performed on 40 TEV (27 patients) aged 4-72 months (average 15.1). In 12 unilateral cases of TEV, the opposite normal foot and 74 normal feet of 37 healthy children aged 3-35 months (average 8.7) were used as controls. Dorsalis pedis (DP), posterior tibial (PT), and peroneal (P) pulses were recorded by an unidirectional 8 MHZ continuous wave technique. At rest, DP pulses and PT pulses were present in all investigated TEVs. P pulse was absent in only one case of TEV. In the group of controls DP pulse was absent in one case and P pulse was absent in an other case of normal foot with contralateral TEV. All the other pulses in normal feet were present at physiological location. We propose that a vascular etiology for the origin of congenital idiopathic clubfoot, as reported in literature, is unlikely. The influence of postnatal casting in TEV on the vascular arterial condition is slight or even absent. Doppler assessment is readily available, noninvasive, and a reproducible mean of monitoring vascular integrity in clubfeet. Relating to vascular complications after surgery, perhaps caused by a preextant arterial anomaly, doppler assessment is indicated routinely in syndromes of multiple malformations with clubfoot deformity before surgical treatment. In congenital idiopathic clubfeet it is not necessary as a routine check.

[Monofascicular nerve rotation]. / Monofaszikuläre Nervenrotation.

In case of the loss of one single muscle function in the hand, the possibility of a neurogenic cause should not be overlooked. The differential diagnosis includes: 1. Partial compression; 2. anatomical variation; 3. monofascicular rotational distorsion. Rotational distorsion of a nerve has previously been described by A. Wilhelm (1976). This type of compression syndrome occurs after repeated forceful muscle contractions and may involve for example either exclusively those fascicles in the main trunk of the median nerve, forming the anterior interosseous nerve or the deep branch of the radial nerve. We report a series of six patients in whom torsional nerve injury was found.

[Advanced carpal collapse (SLAC-wrist) in scaphoid pseudarthrosis. Therapy concept: medio-carpal partial arthrodesis]. / Fortgeschrittener karpaler Kollaps (Slac-wrist) bei Skaphoidpseudarthrose. Therapiekonzept: mediokarpale Teilarthrodese.

Longstanding unstable scaphoid nonunions inevitably lead to carpal collapse and symptomatic secondary arthrotic changes, ruling out reconstructive procedures to the scaphoid itself. Partial mediocarpal fusion, however, can preserve some wrist motion and markedly reduce or even eliminate wrist pain. By correcting the malalignment of the lunate and capitate, carpal height is restored. By excision of the scaphoid, its destroyed articular surfaces are removed. In 26 of 31 patients undergoing mediocarpal fusion, complete or at least significant reduction of wrist pain was observed. Average grip strength increased by 23%, whereas wrist mobility decreased by 33 to 40% with a relatively short follow-up of 14 months. Total wrist fusion remains the last line of defense.

Four finger amputation injuries. Concept of treatment.

Fourteen patients with an amputation injury of four fingers are reported. Fifty-one of these 56 fingers were replanted with a survival rate of 88%. To achieve optimal results replantation of all fingers should be attempted. Dividing the operative procedure into a macrosurgical and a microsurgical part helps to economize both tourniquet time and total operative time. In case of arterial spasm or other difficulties to reestablish blood flow, a check list can be of great value. To achieve good results in such severe and difficult procedures a special organisation of replantation centers is needed.