[A retrospective study on manual reduction combined with Chinese Orthopaedic ankle external fixator in the treatment of trimalleolar fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the needle puncture safety and clinical efficacy of manual reduction combined with external fixation of ankle frame in the treatment of trimalleolar fracture under the guidance of Chinese Osteosynthesis (CO) theory. METHODS: The clinical data of 118 patients with trimalleolar fractures admitted from December 2010 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Fifty-three patients were treated with manual reduction combined with external fixation of ankle frame(observation group). Sixty-five patients were treated with open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screws(control group). The operation time, hospitalization days, non-weight-bearing time of the affected limb, clinical healing time of fracture, incidence of complications, visual analogue scale (VAS) before and 1 month after operation, and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS) score of ankle joint before and 1 year after operation were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Patients in both groups were followed up for more than 1 year. All patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 14 to 70 months, with an average of(35.28±14.66) months. There were statistically significant in operation time, hospitalization days, non-load-bearing time of affected limbs, clinical healing time of fractures and VAS score one month after operation between the two groups. One month after operation, the VAS score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group(t=3.343, P=0.001). The operation time of the observation group was significantly shorter than that of the control group(t=9.091, P=0.000). The hospitalization days in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group(t=5.034, P=0.000). The non-load-bearing time of the affected limb in the observation group was significantly shorter than that in the control group(t=11.960, P=0.000). The clinical healing time of fracture in the observation group was significantly shorter than that in the control group(t=4.007, P=0.000). There was no significant difference in AOFAS score between the two groups one year after operation(t=0.417, P=0.678). In the observation group, there were 2 cases of pinhole infection and 3 cases of loss of reduction less than 2 mm. There were 3 cases of surgical incision infection in the control group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(χ2=0.446, P=0.504). CONCLUSION: Manual reduction combined with external fixation is safe and effective in the treatment of trimalleolar fracture under the guidance of CO theory, and the function of ankle joint recovers well after operation. This therapy has good clinical value.

[Minimally invasive osteotomy and manual reduction for hallux valgus].

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effects of minimally invasive osteotomy and manual reduction in treating hallux valgus. METHODS: From January 2018 to May 2019, 31 patients (42 feet) with hallux valgus were treated with minimally invasive osteotomy and manual reduction, including 3 males and 28 females aged from 18 to 76 years old with an average of (50.1± 4.9) years old. Preoperative and postoperative hallux valgus (HVA), intermetatarsal angles(IMA), length difference between 1 and 2 metatarsals were recorded and compared, and American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS)score were observed and measured. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients (42 feet) were followed up from 14 to 18 months with an average of (15.1± 1.2) months. HVA, IM before operation were (38.5±5.4)°, (13.0± 1.1)°, and improved to (14.3±4.7)°and (9.1±1.5)°after operation respectively(P<0.05). Preopertaive length difference between 1 and 2 metatarsals was 2-4(-0.59±1.80) mm, and 0 to -6(-3.53±1.60) mm after operation, the average shortening of the first metatarsal was 2.94 mm. There were significant difference between preoperative and postoperative. Preoperative AOFAS score was 57.8±9.7, increased to 92.1±9.3 at the final follow-up, there was significant differences (P<0.05). According to standard of AOFAS score, 32 feet obtain excellent results, 16 good and 3 moderate. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive osteotomy and manual reduction in treating hallux valgus have advantages of shorter operation time, less length of incision, and could correct hallux valgus deformity, improve front feet and receive good clinical effect in further.

[Inner-heating acupuncture of lumbar degenerative lesions based on ß-catenin signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE: By observing the effect of inner-heating acupuncture on the expression of Wnt1, Axin and ß-catenin in the intervertebral disc of rats with lumbar degenerative disease and to explore the regulatory mechanism of inner-heating acupuncture on the apoptosis of annulus fibrosus cells in rats with lumbar degenerative disease. METHODS: Forty SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, inner heating acupuncture group and acupuncture group with 10 rats in each group. Except for normal group, all rats were modeled. Bilateral Da Chang Shu were selected for inner-heating acupuncture and acupuncture treatment. Western-bolt assay was used to detect the expression of Wnt1, Axin and ß-catenin in rat intervertebral discs. RESULTS: Compared with the model group, Wnt1 and ß-catenin expression in annulus fibrosus cells of rats in the inner heating acupuncture group and the acupuncture group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);the expression of Axin in annulus fibrosus of rats in the inner heating acupuncture group was significantly increased(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of Axin in annulus fibrosus of rats between acupuncture group and model group(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Inner heating acupuncture can down regulate the expression of Wnt1 and ß-catenin and up regulate the expression of Axin in annulus fibrosus of rats with lumbar degenerative desease. It is suggested that the mechanism may be to regulate the expression of related factors in the ß-catenin signaling pathway, so as to achieve the goal of treating lumbar degenerative diseases.

The Biomechanical Relationship between Hallux Valgus Deformity and Metatarsal Pain.

Metatarsal pain is a common pathological outcome in patients with a hallux valgus (HV) deformity. However, the relationship between the degree of HV deformity and metatarsal pain has not been systematically examined. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlation between metatarsal pain and the degree of HV deformity. Between October 2017 and September 2018, 512 HV patients (944 feet) participated in an evaluation of their HV angle (HVA) using X-ray images. The participants were divided into four groups corresponding to their HVA (<15°, 15° to 20°, 21° to 40°, or >40°). Load rate, impulse, contact duration, and contact area were measured and recorded as dynamic gait parameters using the RsScan system. Data were evaluated using SPSS statistical software. The visual analog scale (VAS) was used to assess metatarsal pain. For the four HV deformity groups, the peak value of impulse and contact duration was concentrated on the second and third metatarsals (Meta2 and Meta3) (P < 0.05); contact area was also shown on metatarsals 1, 2, and 5 (P < 0.05). Metatarsal pain on Meta2 had the highest VAS score (VAS: 6.57), followed by Meta3 (Mean VAS: 5.72). In the HV > 40° group, the load location on Meta2 was transferred to Meta1. The percent of pain attributed to Meta2 and Meta3 was also increased in this group. These findings illustrated that metatarsal pain was primarily located on Meta2 and Meta3 in the different degrees of HV deformity. This information can provide the location to target for pain relief and help guide further rehabilitation.

[Systematic review on clinical efficacy and safety of Cheezheng Pain Relieving Plaster for soft tissue injury].

To systematically evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Cheezheng Pain Relieving Plaster in the treatment of soft tissue injury. Four Chinese databases(namely CNKI, WanFang, VIP, CBM) and 2 English databases(namely PubMed, Cochrane Library) were retrieved from the establishment of each database to March 2019. The randomized controlled trials of Cheezheng Pain Relieving Plaster compared with routine therapy in treatment of soft tissue injury were included. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk Assessment Tool. Five studies were included, and 367 patients were enrolled. None of the included studies reported randomized concealment, blinding, follow-up and dropping off. The results showed that Cheezheng Pain Relieving Plaster may have advantages in alleviating joint pain, swelling, tenderness and dysfunction and other symptoms, with no serious adverse reaction. Compared with routine therapy, Cheezheng Pain Relieving Plaster may have advantages in the treatment of soft tissue injury. However, due to the quality of the included RCTs, the conclusions of this study were limited. In addition, to produce high-quality evidences for the clinical application of Cheezheng Pain Relieving Plaster, the conclusions of this study shall be further verified with large-sample, scientifically designed and strictly implemented clinical trials.

[Bibliometric analysis and quality assessment of clinical evidence on Xiaotong Tiegao].

Many clinical studies on Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao have been accumulated since it was launched in 1993,but they have not been comprehensively analyzed and evaluated. This study systematically retrieved relevant studies in six databases at home and abroad as of December 2017. This study analyzed the statistics of the included studies in several aspects,including publication time,region,fund,disease category and type of study. In this study,various tools were used to evaluate the methodological quality of included studies,such as the Cochrane collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias in randomized trials,MINORS,IHE,AMSTAR2.The results showed that the literatures were mainly published from 2010 to 2011,and a total of 28 projects were financially supported.The most involved disease was arthropathy. The randomized controlled trials were the majority in the included studies,but the quality was low,and most of the literatures didn't report the allocation concealment and blinding. This study comprehensively reflected the current situations and shortcomings of the clinical studies of Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao,and put forward several suggestions,in the expectation of providing a reference for the future clinical research direction of Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao.

[Treatment of knee osteoarthritis with six-step manipulation combined with extracorporeal shock wave].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of six-step manipulation combined with extracorporeal shock wave in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with KOA from December 2016 to June 2018 were divided into control group and treatment group, 38 in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with oral medicine combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy, while the patients in the treatment group were treated with six-step manipulation combined with shock wave therapy. The VAS score, WOMAC score and clinical efficacy of the two groups were compared before treatment, 1 day, 1 month and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in VAS score and WOMAC score between the two groups before treatment(P>0.05). VAS score and WOMAC score in treatment group were significantly lower than those in control group at 1 day, 1 month and 6 months after treatment, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Six-step manipulation combined with extracorporeal shock wave therapy can significantly alleviate pain and improve knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, and the clinical effect is obvious.

[Preparation instructions for Experts consensus statement on Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao in clinical practice].

As a topical plaster developed by modern pharmaceutical technology based on traditional Tibetan medicine,Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao has functions of promoting blood circulation,relieving swelling and relieving pain. Since its introduction in 1993,it has been widely used in the treatment of various types of acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and various types of spinal,joint and soft tissue diseases. In order to better standardize the clinical application and improve the clinical efficacy of Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao,the research and development work of the Experts consensus statement on Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao in clinical practice was officially launched on October 19,2017,upon approval from China Association of Chinese Medicine. In this paper,main R&D process and related technical links for the experts consensus on Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao would be summarized,which will help the various medical workers understand,master and apply more accurately,and also provide reference for the development of experts consensus on clinical application of other topical Chinese medicines.

[Experts consensus statement on Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao in clinical practice].

Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao is a Tibetan traditional prescription,which has the functions of promoting blood circulation,relieving swelling and relieving pain. It has been widely used in various clinical departments such as orthopedics department,rheumatology department,pain management department,and rehabilitation department to treat all types of acute and chronic skeletal muscle pain. However,duet to the lack of detailed description of the specific use of various diseases in its manual,and in the published guidelines,monographs,and clinical reports,the introduction of the dominant clinical disease,usage,treatment,safety,etc. of Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao is not detailed. Therefore,this experts consensus statement has been prepared based on the research and analysis of clinicians and patients,evidence-based medical research and evaluation,combined with the experience of clinical experts. The experts consensus statement regulates usage,dosage,combination,safety,etc. in the treatment of acute and chronic contusion( soft tissue injury),osteoarthritis,low back pain,frozen shoulder,cervical spondylosis postoperative recovery pain and other pain relief and other skeletal muscle system diseases to provide evidence and reference for the rational and safety using of Cheezheng Xiaotong Tiegao.

[Study on the correlative factors of the pain under the second metatarsal in patients with hallux valgus].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between the hallux valgus angle and arch X-ray parameters change, plantar pressure by measuring the X-ray indexes and foot-pressure indexes in patients with hallux valgus, as well as to study the main cause factors for the pain under the second metatarsal head. METHODS: A retrospective study of 254 patients(477 feet) treated in Wangjing Hospital from January 2012 to June 2013 was performed. The pain under the second metatarsal head and age distribution were recorded. All the patients were divided into two groups according to the second plantar bone pain: pain group and no pain group. The following indexes were measured and compared: HAVA(hallux abductor valgus angle), IMA1-2(the inter-metatarsal angle between the first and second metatarsals), IMA1-5(the inter-metatarsal angle between the first and fifth metatarsals), TAOTMLA (top angle of the medial longitudinal arch), AAOTMLA (anterior angle of the medial longitudinal arch), SMRL (the second metatarsal relative length than the first), and the plantar pressure indicators including TPUM (touch the ground time percentage under the second metatarsal head), PPUM (peak pressure under the second metatarsal head), and IUM(impulse under the second metatarsal head). All the factors were evaluated by Logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Spearman rank correlation test showed that there were statistical significance in correlation between HAVA and IMA1-2, IMA1-5, TAOTMLA, AAOTMLA, TPUM(P<0.05, r=0.647, 0.553, 0.127, -0.165, 0.158). Factors including the HAVA, SMRL and the TPUM were the risks for the pain under the second metatarsal head in patients with hallux valgus(P<0.05, ORj=1.030, 1.069, 1.060). CONCLUSIONS: Increase of the hallux valgus angle causes the collapse of hallux valgus arch, extending the weight bearing time of the second metatarsal and increasing the possibility of the pain under the second metatarsal.

[Analysis of stability and healing on minimally invasive osteotomy for the treatment of hallux valgus].

To treat hallux valgus, minimally invasive osteotomy on 1st metatarsal neck,immobilization with "8-shape" bandagev was performed, and the effect was definited. The principles of osteotomy stability were analyzed from the osteotomy position, methods, direction and angle. The grinding drill was used to increase friction coefficient between the ends of osteotomy. Correct direction of osteotomy and suitable angle were the key point of stability. The immobilization with "8-shape" bandage complied with the principle of elastic fixation created the conditions for the slight movement of the osteotomy ends. Compared with internal fixation ,it was better on osteotomy healing,and the osteotomy ends were stable and healed with cartilage

Use of Extended Lateral Upper Arm Free Flap for Tongue Reconstruction After Radical Glossectomy for Tongue Cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the extended lateral arm free flap (ELAFF) for repair of partial tongue defects after radical resection of tongue cancer. METHODS: The study included nine consecutive patients who underwent repair of a partial tongue defect with an ELAFF after radical resection of tongue cancer from November 2010 to December 2013. Lesions were at the tip or margin of the tongue. Details of the reconstructive surgery, donor-site and recipient-site morbidity, and functional and esthetic outcomes were evaluated during a minimum of 12 months follow-up. Patient-reported Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores on a scale of 0 (minimum satisfaction) to 10 (maximum satisfaction) were used to evaluate esthetic outcomes. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 12 months (median 24 months). The overall survival rate was 88 % (8/9). The donor site was closed primarily in all patients. The most frequent donor-site morbidity was a broad scar. Poor functional outcomes were associated with postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. The shape and function of the reconstructed tongue were satisfactory. VAS scores (mean ± SD) for patient satisfaction with recipient-site and donor-site esthetics were 6.92 ± 1.70 and 7.33 ± 2.01, respectively. CONCLUSION: The ELAFF is a safe and effective option for repair of partial tongue defects after radical resection of tongue cancer. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each submission to which Evidence-Based Medicine rankings are applicable. This excludes Review Articles, Book Reviews, and manuscripts that concern Basic Science, Animal Studies, Cadaver Studies, and Experimental Studies. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

[Case-control study on bone-setting manipulation for the treatment of isolated systolic hypertension combined with cervical spondylosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical effect and safety of bone-setting manipulation in treating isolated systolic hypertension combined with cervical spondylosis. METHODS: From January 2012 to January 2015, 320 patients suffered from isolated systolic hypertension combined with cervical spondylosis were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. In treatment group, there were 160 patients including 84 males and 76 females with an average age of (39.82 ± 10.33) years old, average blood pressure was (149.61 ± 10.75)/(81.01± 8.25) mmHg, NPQ score was 24.61 ± 8.14; treated with flexion top spin and lock bone-setting manipulation of cervical spine, once every two days for 20 days. While in control group, there were 160 patients including 90 males and 70 females with an average age of(41.37 ± 9.42) years old, average blood pressure was (151.48 ± 11.32)/ (79.65 ± 9.32) mmHg, NPQ score was 25.78 ± 9.53; treated with manipulation of reposition cervical spine by rotation, once every two days for 20 days. Blood pressure and NPQ score were tested and compared for evaluating clinical effects. RESULTS: Before and after a period treatment, systolic pressure in treatment group was (149.61 ± 10.75) mmHg and (129.67 ± 12.26) mmHg; (151.48 ± 11.32) mmHg and (132.02 ± 11.73) mmHg in control group. After treatment, systolic pressure in both two groups was obviously decreased, and treatment group was better than control group. Before and after a period treatment, diastolic pressure in treatment group was (80.01 ± 8.25) mmHg and (78.15 ± 10.34) mmHg, (79.65 ± 9.32) mmHg and (76.89 ± 9.79) mmHg in control group, and there was no significant difference between two groups. NPQ score in treatment group was 24.61 ± 8.14 before treatment, 12.46 ± 7.94 after treatment, while in control group was 25.78 ± 9.53, 14.17 ± 8.86; NPQ score of the two groups after treatment was better than before treatment, while there was no obviously significance between two groups after treatment. The whole clinical effect in treatment group was better than control group. CONCLUSION: Bone-setting manipulation for isolated systolic hypertension combined with cervical spondylosis at early stage could receive good clinical result, and flexion top spin and lock bone-setting manipulation of cervical spine was better and safety than manipulation of reposition cervical spine by rotation.

[Extracellular splitting pattern of mitochondria and the depressant effects of CsA on the process].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate extracellular splitting pattern of mitochondria and the depressant effects of CsA on the process and explore the mechanism of post-traumatic SIRS and its therapeutic strategy. METHODS: Ten male SD rats with 60 to 70 days age and 240 to 280 g weight were used for mitochondrial isolation. Freshly isolated mitochondria were randomly divided into two groups, which were cultured in blood plasma with or without CsA respectively for 8 h. COX and MDH were assayed by ELISA every 30 min. Meanwhile, Rat macrophage cell line NR8383 were treated as follows, control (group A): cultivation with normal medium; NR8383+CsA co-culture group (group B): culture medium was supplemented with CsA of 10 mmol/L; NR8383+intact mitochondria co-culture group (group C): culture medium was supplemented with intact mitochondria (mtDNA=5 g/ml); NR8383+intact mitochondria+CsA co-culture group (group D): culture medium was supplemented with intact mitochondria (mtDNA=5 µg/ml)and CsA of 10 mmol/L; NR8383+disrupted mitochondria co-culture group (group E): culture medium was supplemented with disrupted mitochondria (mtDNA=5 µg/ml); NR8383+disrupted mitochondria+CsA co-culture group (group F): culture medium was supplemented with disrupted mitochondria (mtDNA=5 µg/ml)and CsA of 10 mmol/L. TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations in supernatant were assessed at 1, 3, 5 h after culture. RESULTS: In the mitochondria plasma cultures, MDH and COX levels were increased with the time and peaked at about 3 h and 3.5 h; CsA can delay the appearance of peak to 4.5 h. Among different treated groups,there was no significant difference in TNF-α and IL-6 between group A and group B; there was significant difference in TNF-α and IL-6 other groups. After 1 h culture, compared with group C, no significant difference of TNF-α and IL-6 was observed in group D, while TNF-α and IL-6 were significant higher in group E; after 3 h culture, compared with group C, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly lower in group D, while TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly higher in group E; after 5 h culture, compared with group C, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly lower in group D, while no significant difference of TNF-α and IL-6 were observed in group E. At each time point, there was no significant difference in TNF-α and IL-6 between group F and group E. CONCLUSION: Mitochondria can split in serum with time, which will further activate macrophages. CsA has depressant effect to mitochondrial splitting on the process and will therefore inhibit the activation of macrophages.

[Correlative analysis on metatarsalgia and the X-ray measurement indexes under weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing of hallux valgus].

OBJECTIVE: To study changes in the radiographic appearance during weight-bearing and non-weigh-bearing in hallux valgus, and to analyse the correlation between the elasticity of plantar soft tissue of hallux valgus and the pain under the metatarsal head. METHODS: From May 2012 to October 2012, 240 feet of 120 patients with hallux valgus were enrolled in the study. The degrees of the pian under the metatarsal head of all the patients were observed. AP and lateral X-ray films of feet were taken on the condition of weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing. So the hallux valgus angle (HVA), the inter-metatarsal angle between the first and second metatarsals (IM1-2), the inter-metatarsal angle between the first and fifth metatarsals (IM1-5), top angle of the medial longitudinal arch (TAOTMLA),and anterior angle of the medial longitudinal arch (AAOTMLA) were measured on the X-ray films. The differences of HVA, IM1-2, IM1-5, TAOTMLA and AAOTMLA between two groups were compared, and the correlation between the changes of IM1-2, IM 1-5, TAOTMLA, AAOTMLA and the degree of the pain under the metatarsal head were analysed. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-eight feet had the pain under the metatarsal head. The IM1-2, IM1-5 and TAOTMLA increased on weight-bearing position compared with those on non-weight-bearing position, but the HVA and AAOTMLA decreased on weight-bearing position compared with those on non-weight-bearing position. There was a moderate relationship between the changes of IM 1-2,IM1-5 and the degree of the hallux valgus deformity, as well as the relationship between the different of IM1-5 and the degree of the pian under the metatarsal head. CONCLUSION: The degree of the collapse of the arch of foot with hallux valgus becomes serious with its deformity increasing. The pain under the metatarsal head of hallux valgus increases with the increased changes of IM 1-2,IM 1-5 and TAOTMLA. Analysis of the X-ray observation indexes of hallux valgus on weight-bearing position and non-weight-bearing position has important significance in evaluating the degree of the collapse of the arch of foot with hallux valgus,preventing and curing the the pain under the metatarsal head.

Clinical value of polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of joint tuberculosis by detecting the DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical value of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of joint tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: PCR was used blindly to detect the DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.TB) in five specimens of M.TB, 5 of BCG, and 10 of other bacteria. Then, M. TB in 98 samples from patients with joint TB and 100 samples from patients with non-tubercular joint disorders were detected by PCR, acid-fast staining and culture,. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of PCR were calculated. The χ2 test was used for statistical analysis of the frequency of various factors. At the same time, some problems with PCR were also systematically analyzed. RESULTS: (1) In the "standard samples", both M. TB and BCG showed positive while other bacteria were negative. (2) In 98 cases from patients with joint TB, 81 were positive by PCR, 6 by acid-fast staining, and 17 by culture. In 100 cases from patients with non-tuberculous joint disorders, 9 were positive by PCR, and none by either acid-fast staining or culture. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive value of PCR were 82.65% (81/98), 91.00% (91/100), 86.87% (172/198), 90.00% (81/90) and 84.26% (91/108), respectively. (3) The positive rates for PCR, acid-fast staining and culture in detection of M. TB were 82.65% (81/98), 6.12% (6/98), and 17.34% (17/98), respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the three methods (P < 0.001). (4) The process of PCR is automatic, and can be completed within 3 to 6 hours, whereas 4 to 8 weeks are required for the conventional culture of M. TB. CONCLUSION: PCR is a sensitive, specific, rapid, simple and minimally invasive method for detection of M. TB in samples from joint TB, and can play an important role in early and rapid diagnosis and differential diagnosis of joint TB. But it also has some limitations, such as false positivity and false negativity.

Clinical treatment of the stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum by micro-wound technique using hooked needle-shaped surgical knife.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect and safety of using the hooked needle-shaped knife to treat the stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum. METHODS: Sixty outpatients were divided into a treatment group of 30 cases treated by using the hooked needle-shaped knife, and a control group of 30 cases treated by block therapy. 6 months later, the alleviation of pain in the affected finger during movement, under pressure, traction and finger-bending anti-resistance was compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: The alleviation of pain during movement, under pressure, traction and finger-bending anti-resistance was much better in the treatment group than that of the control group (P < 0.01), with a effective rate of 93.3% in the treatment group and 80.0% in the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The micro-wound technique using the hooked needle-shaped knife has definite effect and safety for stenosing tenovaginitis of flexor digitorum.