Rehabilitation protocol after suspension arthroplasty of thumb carpometacarpal joint osteoarthritis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series. INTRODUCTION: When conservative modalities and therapies fail to control symptoms of thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis, surgery may be indicated. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: To present a rehabilitation protocol used in a series of patient cases after suspension arthroplasty and to evaluate outcomes. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with CMC osteoarthritis were treated by the same arthroplasty technique and the same rehabilitation program. Patients were evaluated before and 12th week after surgery, and at the last follow-up using a visual analog scale; the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire; strength measurements; range of motion evaluations; and radiographic assessment. RESULTS: Average follow-up period was 31.5 months. There was a decreasing trend in both subjective scores during follow-ups (p=0.0001). Thirty-three percent and 30% improvements on radial and palmar abductions, respectively, and 29% improvement on pinch strengths were recorded at the final follow-up. Postoperative grip improvement was not preserved at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate a high degree of patient satisfaction suggesting the efficacy of this surgical technique and postoperative rehabilitation protocol. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.

The correction of postburn contractures of the second through fourth web spaces.

The release of postburn contractures in the hand is one of the most commonly performed procedures in burn injuries. Contractures of the web space may involve palmar, dorsal, or both sides of the web skin and require various surgical techniques. In this report we provide general guidelines for the release of these contractures, with special emphasis on reconstruction of the second through fourth web spaces.

Nondigital tissue replantation and microsurgical spare part utilization in mutilated hands: case reports and review.

Five cases with microsurgical utilization of spare parts from unreplantable amputated segments are presented. Besides, nondigital composite tissue replantations are firstly reported in hand. They all resulted in satisfactory outcomes compared to alternative treatments without any donor site morbidity.

Reconstruction of the first web space in symbrachydactyly using the reverse radial forearm flap.

PURPOSE: To present a new approach for the reconstruction of severe first web contractures using a distally based reverse radial forearm flap in symbrachydactyly patients. METHODS: This study included 6 hands in 5 patients. Subjective evaluation included appearance, parent satisfaction (and patient satisfaction when appropriate), and ability to perform daily activities such as thumb-index grasp and pinch at follow-up evaluations. We measured the angle between the first and second rays using a goniometer at maximum radial abduction, and pinch and grasp strengths were evaluated as an objective assessment. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 2 years. All parents and patients were happy with the aesthetic appearance. They were completely satisfied in their daily living activities. The average first web angle measurement was 56 degrees . An average of 39 degrees of improvement of web measurement was achieved. For the unilateral 4 patients, the average pinch strength measurement was 80% of the normal contralateral hand and the grip strength was 75% of the normal contralateral hand. CONCLUSIONS: The reverse radial forearm flap was found to be a safe and simple method in the reconstruction of severe first web contractures in symbrachydactyly patients. This method provided good coverage of appropriate thickness and skin quality, and supple soft tissue that filled the first web space. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.

Surgical reconstruction of irreversible ulnar nerve paralysis in leprosy.

Twenty-five patients with irreversible leprotic ulnar nerve palsy having undergone lumbrical replacement with two different tendon transfer techniques were assessed 6-120 months after surgery. Nineteen patients were reconstructed with the flexor digitorum four-tail procedure (FDS-4T), and six with Zancolli's lasso procedure (ZLP). Mean paralysis times were 103 months for FDS-4T, and 68 months for ZLP. Mean age of the patients was 36 years (21-57). Grip strength measurements, improvement in active range of motion at the PIP joints, patients' ability to open and close their hands fully, as well as sequence of phalangeal flexion, were noted. Mean grip strength measurements during follow-up were 76% of the contralateral extremity in the FDS-4T group and 82% in the ZLP group. Comparison of the follow-up grip strength with the preoperative value revealed 1% improvement in the FDS-4T group and 20% in the ZLP group. Claw hand deformity was completely corrected in 12 patients in FDS-4T group, and in five patients in the ZLP group. Residual flexion contracture remained in five patients after surgery. Swan-neck deformity subsequently developed in seven fingers. Age, sex, mean follow-up and surgical technique did not relate statistically to the functional outcome. However, preoperative extensor lag of the PIP joint and mean paralysis time significantly affected the functional outcome. ZLP was found to be a more effective procedure in restoring grip strength, whereas FDS-4T was more effective in correcting claw hand deformity.

Three tendon transfer methods in reconstruction of ulnar nerve palsy.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the efficacy of 3 different tendon transfer techniques in restoring grip strength, correcting claw hand deformity, and improving hand function after irreparable ulnar nerve palsy. METHOD: A total of 44 patients were assessed 14 to 96 months after surgery. Twenty-four patients were reconstructed with the flexor digitorum 4-tail (FDS 4-tail) procedure, 11 with the extensor carpi radialis 4-tail (ECRL 4-tail) procedure and 9 with Zancolli's Lasso procedure (ZLP) with mean paralysis times of 47, 51, and 32 months, respectively. Grip strength measurements, improvement in active range of motion at the PIP and wrist joints, patients' ability to fully open and close their hands, as well as the sequence of phalangeal flexion were analyzed. RESULTS: Age, sex, mean follow-up duration, and surgical technique did not relate statistically to the functional outcome. Preoperative extensor lag of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and mean paralysis time, however, significantly affected the functional outcome. The ZLP and the ECRL 4-tail were found to be the most effective technique in restoring grip strength. The FDS 4-tail procedure, however, was the most successful in correcting the claw hand deformity, especially in long-standing paralysis in which there was elongation of the extensor apparatus. CONCLUSIONS: In short-term paralysis in which patients predominantly need grip strength and claw finger deformity correction, the ZLP or ECRL 4-tail procedures are recommended. In long-standing cases with extensor lag, asynchronous finger motion should be corrected with the FDS 4-tail procedure.