Superior-inferior stability of the shoulder: role of the coracohumeral ligament and the rotator interval capsule.

OBJECTIVE: To study the superior-inferior stabilizing functions of the coracohumeral ligament (CHL) and the rotator interval capsule (RIC) with use of a material testing machine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The axial translations of the humerus with the superior-inferior translation force of 30 N applied were recorded under the following joint capsule conditions: (1) intact, (2) vented, (3) the CHL sectioned, and (4) the RIC incised in six cadaver shoulders. The order of sectioning was changed for conditions 3 and 4 in six other cadaver shoulders. RESULTS: With the arm in internal and neutral rotations, venting the capsule significantly increased the superior-inferior translation, which was unaffected by further sectioning of the CHL and the RIC. With the arm in external rotation, only the CHL contributed significantly to inferior stability, whereas both this ligament and the RIC contributed to superior stability to a lesser degree. CONCLUSION: The CHL is a stabilizer in superior inferior directions with the arm in external rotation, and the intra-articular pressure that is maintained by the intact RIC is a stabilizer in superior-inferior directions with the arm in internal and neutral rotations. These findings may provide a scientific background to support closure of the interval space to stabilize the shoulder and may explain part of the superior instability observed in shoulders with rotator cuff tears.

The early history of arthroplasty of the wrist. From amputation to total wrist implant.

During the past 3 decades implant arthroplasty of the destroyed wrist has become a reliable and satisfying procedure. However, the first total wrist replacement was performed in Berlin as early as 1890. This paper describes the history of resection and interposition arthroplasty of the wrist leading to the first total wrist implant arthroplasty performed by Themistocles Gluck. An overview of recent designs is given, and the relevant historical cases are reported.

Treatment of large bone defects with the Ilizarov technique.

Between 1985 and 1990 we treated 11 large segmental bone defects (average 6.7 cm) in ten patients with the Ilizarov technique. Open fractures, type III according to Gustilo, represented the largest group (8 of 11 cases). The average delay before the Ilizarov technique was initiated was 8.9 months. The external fixator was usually maintained for 1 year. Bone regeneration was obtained in every case. Consolidation was not fulfilled with this technique in three cases. The complications observed were one refracture, four leg-length discrepancies (average 1.5 cm), and five axial deformities exceeding 5 degrees. No pin-track infection was observed. In our limited series of four type IIIC open fractures treated by the Ilizarov technique, no patients required amputation. The Ilizarov technique is particularly useful in the treatment of large bone defects, without major complications, especially if there is an adequate initial debridement.

Magnetic resonance imaging of nontraumatic shoulder instability in children.

Nontraumatic shoulder instability is infrequent in children. We examined prospectively with high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 11 patients with this disorder, including 2 with Holt-Oram syndrome and 11 healthy control subjects. The MR findings in the glenohumeral joint in normally growing children are presented. Two patients with shoulder instability were considered as normal, one presented with type 2 (Zlatkin) labral lesions, three, type 3 and one, type 4 lesions. Close attention to the normal imaging patterns of the maturing glenohumeral joint is required to avoid pitfalls in the interpretation of the images.

[Hypocalcemia and myelofibrosis: an unrecognized association]. / Hypocalcémie et myélofibrose: une association méconnue.

Observation of a case of myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia of liver and spleen associated with hypocalcemia led us to investigate whether this association was fortuitous. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 30 patients with myelofibrosis and identified 9 patients with hypocalcemia out of 22 in whom the plasma calcium level corrected for serum protein could be obtained, i.e. a prevalence of hypocalcemia of 41%. The spleen was significantly larger in the patients with hypocalcemia than in those with normal plasma calcium level, suggesting that hypocalcemia was related to the duration of the disease. In 5 patients with hypocalcemia, biological and/or morphological evidence of osteomalacia was found. It is concluded that an association exists between myelofibrosis and hypocalcemia, possibly as a consequence of a disturbed vitamin D metabolism.

Iridoids. A review.

Tre review presents a glossary of the iridoid glycosides, secoiridoids, bis-iridoids, and non-glycosidic iridoids. The following information is present for each compound, when available: structural formula, molecular formula, molecular weight, mp and [alpha]D values, uv, ir, 1H-nmr, 13C-nmr, and ms data, as well as mp and [alpha]D values for the correspondent acetate derivative. The natural source, the family and generic name, is given as well as the reference. A cross index and molecular weight tables are presented.