Remodeling of murine intrasynovial tendon adhesions following injury: MMP and neotendon gene expression.

Tendon injury frequently results in the formation of adhesions that reduce joint range of motion. To study the cellular, molecular, and biomechanical events involved in intrasynovial tendon healing and adhesion formation, we developed a murine flexor tendon healing model in which the flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendon of C57BL/6 mice was transected and repaired using suture. This model was used to test the hypothesis that murine flexor tendons heal with differential expression of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), resulting in the formation of scar tissue as well as the subsequent remodeling of scar and adhesions. Healing tendons were evaluated by histology, gene expression via real-time RT-PCR, and in situ hybridization, as well as biomechanical testing to assess the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint flexion range of motion (ROM) and the tensile failure properties. Tendons healed with a highly disorganized fibroblastic tissue response that was progressively remodeled through day 35 resulting in a more organized pattern of collagen fibers. Initial repair involved elevated levels of Mmp-9 at day 7, which is associated with catabolism of damaged collagen fibers. High levels of Col3 are consistent with scar tissue, and gradually transition to the expression of Col1. Scleraxis expression peaked at day 7, but the expression was limited to the original tendon adjacent to the injury site, and no expression was present in granulation tissue involved in the repair response. The MTP joint ROM with standardized force on the tendon was decreased on days 14 and 21 compared to day 0, indicating the presence of adhesions. Peak expressions of Mmp-2 and Mmp-14 were observed at day 21, associated with tendon remodeling. At day 28, two genes associated with neotendon formation, Smad8 and Gdf-5, were elevated and an improvement in MTP ROM occurred. Tensile strength of the tendon progressively increased, but by 63 days the repaired tendons had not reached the tensile strength of normal tendon. The murine model of primary tendon repair, described here, provides a novel mechanism to study the tendon healing process, and further enhances the understanding of this process at the molecular, cellular, and biomechanical level.

Posterior bone block procedure for posterior shoulder instability.

The posterior bone block procedure is an uncommon surgical procedure used in the treatment of posterior shoulder instability. The purpose of this study is to report the results of the posterior bone block procedure in the treatment of posterior shoulder instability. We retrospectively reviewed 21 shoulders that had undergone a posterior bone block procedure in the treatment of recurrent posterior shoulder instability between 1984 and 2001. Fifteen patients (16 shoulders) had a prior traumatic posterior glenohumeral dislocation and 5 patients (5 shoulders) had a prior traumatic posterior glenohumeral subluxation. The mean age at surgery was 24.8 years (range 17-40 years). Patients were evaluated with the Constant score, the Duplay score, a subjective result, and radiography. Preoperatively, ten shoulders had glenoid fractures, two shoulders had loss of the normal contour of the posterior osseous glenoid, and ten shoulders had humeral head impaction fractures (reverse Hill-Sachs lesion). Seventeen shoulders underwent preoperative computed tomography and had average glenoid retroversion of 9.6 degrees (range 0-21 degrees ). At an average follow-up of 6 years, all patients reported their subjective results as good or excellent. At follow-up the mean Constant score was 93.3 points (range 80-103 points), and the mean Duplay score was 85.6 points (range 40-100 points). Fifteen patients returned to sports at their pre-injury level. Three patients were considered clinical failures; one with a recurrent posterior dislocation and two with substantial posterior apprehension on follow-up examination. Two shoulders had glenohumeral arthritis on radiographs at the latest follow-up. The posterior bone block is a good treatment option for posterior dislocation. The risk of recurrent dislocation is low following this procedure.

Primary unconstrained shoulder arthroplasty in patients with a fixed anterior glenohumeral dislocation.

BACKGROUND: Reports of shoulder arthroplasty for the treatment of fixed glenohumeral dislocation are rare. The purpose of this study was to analyze the results following shoulder arthroplasty in patients with a fixed anterior shoulder dislocation. METHODS: Eleven patients were evaluated at a minimum of twenty-four months after they underwent an arthroplasty for the treatment of a fixed anterior shoulder dislocation. Four patients underwent a total shoulder arthroplasty, and the remainder were treated with a hemiarthroplasty. Four shoulders had osseous reconstruction of the anterior aspect of the glenoid. The patients were evaluated with use of the Constant score, measurement of active anterior elevation and external rotation, the patient's subjective grading of the result, and a radiographic examination. RESULTS: The mean Constant score improved from 21.1 points preoperatively to 46.0 points following the arthroplasty, and the mean active anterior elevation improved from 48.6 degrees to 90.0 degrees . The pain component of the Constant score was the most reliably improved parameter, increasing from a mean of 4.8 points preoperatively to a mean of 11.0 points postoperatively. Eight patients reported that the result was excellent or good, and the remaining three considered it to be fair. We observed seven complications in five patients, including four cases of anterior instability of the shoulder. Two of the four patients treated with a total shoulder replacement were seen to have definite loosening of the glenoid component on follow-up radiographs. CONCLUSIONS: Shoulder arthroplasty in patients with a fixed anterior shoulder dislocation is fraught with difficulties and complications. Although arthroplasty reliably relieved shoulder pain in this population, limited functional results should be expected.

Case report: Bone metastases from fallopian tube carcinoma.

Fallopian tube carcinoma is a rare gynecologic tumor that has metastasized to bone in only one documented case. This case report is of a 56-year-old woman with a primary fallopian tube cancer metastasizing to her right femur and rib cage. This patient was referred to our orthopaedic department from her gynecologic oncologist. A total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy and oophorectomy revealed fallopian tube cancer. After surgery, the patient had progressive right thigh pain with activity. Radiographs of the femur showed a lytic lesion in the right proximal femur diaphysis with erosion of the medial cortex. We did an open biopsy and curettage of the lesion and intramedullary rod placement. The biopsy confirmed a metastatic lesion arising from the primary fallopian tube cancer. Currently, the patient is recovering and is receiving radiation and chemotherapy. In this case report, we discuss the presentation and treatment course of the patient and summarize the available literature on fallopian tube carcinomas.

Traumatic lateral dislocation of the great toe fibular sesamoid: case report.

Traumatic dislocation of the hallucal sesamoids is uncommon. This case involves a 17-year-old female driver involved in a head-on collision who sustained traumatic lateral dislocation of the fibular sesamoid associated with intersesamoidal ligament disruption, partial plantar plate avulsion, and impaction fracture of the metatarsal head. The diagnosis was delayed due to incorrect interpretation of initial radiographs. In addition, the severity of the soft-tissue injury was not appreciated, possibly further delaying the diagnosis. The patient was treated with open reduction of the fibular sesamoid and reconstruction of the intersesamoidal ligament. Eight months after surgery, she had mild persistent symptoms, decreased range of motion, and near full resumption of prior activities.