Treatment of partial ulnar collateral ligament tears in the elbow with platelet-rich plasma.

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated the potential of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to heal damaged tissue. To date, there are no published reports of clinical outcomes of partial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears of the elbow treated with PRP. HYPOTHESIS: Platelet-rich plasma will promote the healing of partial UCL tears and allow a return to play. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Thirty-four athletes with a partial-thickness UCL tear confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging were prospectively followed. All patients had failed at least 2 months of nonoperative treatment and an attempt to return to play. Baseline questionnaires, including the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow (KJOC) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) measures, were completed by each patient before injection. Baseline ultrasound measurement of the humeral-ulnar joint space was assessed with 10 lb of valgus stress on the elbow. Each patient received a single type 1A PRP injection at the UCL under ultrasound guidance. The same treating physician at a single institution performed all injections with the same PRP preparation used. Patients completed a course of guided physical therapy and were allowed to return to play based on their symptoms and physical examination findings. Outcome scores, including KJOC and DASH scores, were collected after return to play and were compared with baseline scores. Ultrasound measurements were collected at final follow-up and compared with preinjection values. RESULTS: At an average follow-up of 70 weeks (range, 11-117 weeks), 30 of 34 athletes (88%) had returned to the same level of play without any complaints. The average time to return to play was 12 weeks (range, 10-15 weeks). The average KJOC score improved from 46 to 93 (P < .0001). The average DASH score improved from 21 to 1 (P < .0001). The sports module of the DASH questionnaire improved from 69 to 3 (P < .0001). Medial elbow joint space opening with valgus stress decreased from 28 to 20 mm at final follow-up (P < .0001). The difference in medial elbow joint space opening (stressed vs nonstressed) decreased from 7 to 2.5 mm at final follow-up (P < .0001). One player had persistent UCL insufficiency and underwent ligament reconstruction at 31 weeks after injection. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that PRP is an effective option to successfully treat partial UCL tears of the elbow in athletes.

Risk factors for failure after open reduction for DDH: a matched cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: No controlled data exists regarding the risk factors for redislocation after a technically proficient open reduction for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). The purposes of this study were to examine predictors of redislocation and to evaluate the long-term outcomes after revision surgery. METHODS: We performed a retrospective match-controlled study comparing 22 patients who had successful open reduction for DDH with 22 who required revision open reduction. Radiographs were compared in terms of acetabular index, pelvic width, triradiate cartilage width, height of dislocation, size of ossific nucleus, abduction angle in the spica cast, Tönnis grade, and Severin grade. At final follow-up, Sharp's angle, center-edge angle, migration index, and continuity of Shenton's line were compared between the 2 cohorts. Hips were reclassified according to the Tönnis and Severin criteria, and graded for avascular necrosis. Univariate t tests, multivariate logistic regression, and Fisher exact tests were used to compare the statistical data. RESULTS: Twenty-five of 421 patients (5.9%) developed a redislocation at a mean of 124 days after the initial open reduction. Patients with right or bilateral DDH were significantly more likely to fail (P=0.01). Compared with matched controls, the 22 study patients had significantly larger pelvic width and lower abduction angle (mean 39 degrees vs. 51 degrees) in the postoperative spica cast (P=0.003 and 0.037). According to the surgeon's findings at revision surgery, the most common reasons for failure were a dysmorphic femoral head and abnormal femoral version. At final follow-up, subluxation rate and Severin grade were significantly higher in the revision group versus controls but the incidence of avascular necrosis was comparable (revision group=55% and control group=41%; P=0.55). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of this study, right-sided (or bilateral) involvement, greater pelvic width, and decreased abduction in the spica cast were risk factors for redislocation after open reduction. We believe that abnormal femoral version and femoral head dysplasia are also important factors although they were not addressed in this study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III (case-controlled study).

Long-term follow-up of basal joint resection arthroplasty of the thumb with transfer of the abductor pollicis brevis origin to the flexor carpi radialis tendon.

PURPOSE: To investigate the long-term functional and clinical outcomes of a tendon transfer during basal joint interposition arthroplasty for osteoarthritis of the basal joint of the thumb, in which the origin of the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and opponens pollicis is transferred to the flexor carpi radialis tendon, in order to increase the abduction moment arm of the thumb and provide dynamic stabilization of the base of the first metacarpal. METHODS: We observed 22 patients, who received basal joint interposition arthroplasty with APB and opponens pollicis tendon transfer, over an average of 9 years (range, 3-20 years). Subjective outcome measures included patient satisfaction scores, visual analog scale scores for pain, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores. Clinical evaluations included thumb range of motion, grip strength, and pinch strength. RESULTS: At an average follow-up of 9 years, 95% of patients (21 out of 22) subjectively scored the procedure as good or excellent and reported improvement in activities of daily living. Mean visual analog scale pain score was 4.4 at rest and 7.8 with activity (out of 100), and mean DASH score was 13.3 (out of 100). Average grip strength of the operated hand was equal to that of the contralateral hand, and lateral and tip pinch strengths were 79% and 93%, respectively, of the contralateral hand. No intraoperative or early postoperative complications were reported, although 1 patient whose procedure was performed as treatment for failed silastic arthroplasty reported metacarpal instability at 9-year follow-up (DASH score of 22). CONCLUSIONS: Basal joint arthroplasty with APB and opponens pollicis tendon transfers provides excellent long-term results for carpometacarpal thumb osteoarthritis. The procedure is safe, with a low complication rate. Its success has long-term durability as measured by patient satisfaction, functional outcome measures, range of motion, and strength. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Partial tendon release for treatment of a symptomatic snapping biceps femoris tendon: a case report.

Snapping of the biceps femoris tendon over the fibular head is an uncommon condition. Reported causes include an anomalous insertion of the tendon, trauma at the insertion site of the tendon, and an abnormality of the fibular head. This article reports a case of a painful snapping biceps femoris tendon in a patient without an anomalous tendon insertion or an abnormality of the fibular head. Partial release of the superior aspect of the tendon resulted in resolution of symptoms.

Vascularized bone grafting from the base of the second metacarpal for persistent distal radius nonunion: a case report.

Although fractures of the distal radius are relatively common, nonunion is a rare complication. We report a case of a distal radius nonunion in a healthy 51-year-old woman who was involved in a motor vehicle accident. Initial attempts to treat the nonunion with open reduction and internal fixation and corticocancellous bone grafting from the iliac crest failed. Preservation of wrist motion was of considerable importance and wrist arthrodesis was deferred. Treatment of the nonunion with a vascularized bone graft from the base of the second metacarpal, combined with biplanar stable fixation and allogenic bone graft, resulted in union of the fracture and a good functional outcome.

The biomechanical analysis of a tendon fixation device for flexor tendon repair.

PURPOSE: Stainless steel suture is high in tensile strength but is not widely used in flexor tendon repair because of difficulty with handling and knot tying. The purpose of this study was to examine the biomechanical characteristics of the single-strand multifilament stainless steel Teno Fix device (Ortheon Medical, Winter Park, FL) designed for zone II flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendon repair. METHODS: Sixty cadaveric flexor tendons were transected and randomized to receive a Teno Fix or 4-stranded (3-0 or 4-0 braided polyester) suture repair; all repairs were tested with and without a 5-0 monofilament polypropylene circumferential epitendinous suture. By using a material testing system all tendons were tested to failure in tension using a linear model with a loading rate of 1 mm/s. Stiffness, force, and energy at both 2-mm gap and peak force were calculated from the resulting force-displacement curves. RESULTS: The 2-mm gapping force was significantly greater for the Teno Fix and the 3-0 repairs than for the 4-0 repairs. The energy absorbed up to 2-mm gap was significantly greater for the Teno Fix, however, than for all suture repairs both with and without a circumferential suture. There was no statistically significant difference in peak force or energy absorbed at peak force between the Teno Fix and suture repairs; the average gap at peak force for all repairs was 5.2 mm. The addition of a circumferential suture increased the 2-mm gapping and peak forces of the Teno Fix repair to 54.5 N and 66.7 N, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Increased strength and energy absorbed at 2-mm gap and ease of installation makes the Teno Fix a promising repair method.