Ultrasound changes in the extensor pollicis longus and flexor pollicis longus tendons following open reduction and internal fixation of displaced intra-articular fractures of the distal radius.

A previous ultrasound study showed inflammation around the extensor pollicis longus tendon and surrounding structures at 6 weeks after manipulation, with or without pin fixation, and immobilization for distal radius fracture. Ultrasound examination after plating of distal radius fracture followed by early active mobilization of the wrist showed a short-lived inflammatory response, evident at 2 weeks but not at 6 weeks, around the extensor pollicis longus tendon (26 wrists examined) and flexor pollicis longus tendon (18 wrists examined). Early active mobilization of the wrist appears to limit the duration of inflammation around these tendons.

Lunate trabecular structure: a radiographic cadaver study of risk factors for Kienböck's disease [corrected].

The aetiology of Kienböck's disease is unknown. Ulnar variance and lunate shape are possible mechanical risk factors. This study assessed the trabecular structure in 29 cadaveric lunates using microCT and correlated this with ulnar variance and lunate shape on plain radiographs and with bone density assessed using conventional CT. The bony trabeculae within the lunate were shown to run almost perpendicular to the proximal and distal joint surfaces in the coronal plane; these trabeculae met the subchondral bone at an angle between 72-102 degrees. In lunates whose proximal and distal articular surfaces are not parallel, the trabecular orientation may be less able to resist compressive forces and more susceptible to fracture.

Ultrasound changes in the extensor pollicis longus tendon following fractures of the distal radius--a preliminary report.

Extensor pollicis longus tendon rupture occurs in 0.2% to 3% of fractures of the distal radius. The underlying mechanism, or mechanisms, of rupture are unknown. This study evaluated this tendon and its surrounding structures using high-resolution ultrasound in 62 patients with distal radius fracture at 6 weeks after injury. The uninjured wrist was examined as a control. The ultrasound measurements at 6 weeks were then correlated with the patients' presenting X-rays. Significant findings included a reduced peak velocity of tendon movement and an increased thickness of both the extensor retinaculum and the tendon sheath on the fractured side. In respect of tendon sheath thickness, these changes were particularly associated with intraarticular fractures. We postulate that the increased thickness of the EPL tendon sheath may further impair an already tenuous blood supply and/or affect the diffusion of nutrients to the tendon within the third extensor compartment, leading to tendon attrition and rupture.

Isolated inflammatory coxitis associated with protrusio acetabuli: a new form of juvenile idiopathic arthritis?

BACKGROUND: Isolated hip disease in the context of chronic childhood inflammatory arthritis is uncommon. This paper reports 14 children who presented to the rheumatology and orthopaedic departments of our hospitals with severe hip symptoms, and who continued to have primarily hip disease throughout their clinical course. Our aim was to characterize and present the relevant demographic, clinical, investigational, treatment and outcome data from the above cohort. METHODS: All paediatric cases with the diagnosis of protrusio acetabuli, Otto pelvis or idiopathic chondrolysis who were seen in the past 15 yr at Great Ormond Hospital and Middlesex Hospital in London were identified and their case notes were searched retrospectively for relevant information. RESULTS: In 11 cases, the disease progressed to involve no joints other than the contralateral hip. None were considered to have a specific subtype of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and all tested were negative for HLA-B27. Elevation of serum inflammatory markers was variable. Protrusio acetabuli was the predominant radiological feature. There were definite inflammatory changes on the gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging study in all patients who had this procedure performed (seven cases). Microbiological investigations were all consistently negative. Severe hip disease resulted in considerable ongoing symptoms and disability. Six cases were treated with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Total hip replacement has been required in four patients to date, with major functional improvement. CONCLUSIONS: These cases represent severe and disabling primary hip disease with considerable clinical and investigational inflammatory features. Such a mode of presentation has not been described previously in the context of childhood chronic inflammatory arthritides, and may represent a separate oligoarthritis subtype of JIA.

Source of bacterial shedding in laminar flow theatres.

In a previous unpublished observation, unacceptably high bacterial counts, presumably due to shedding episodes, occurred in two of 56 (3.57%) slit-air samples during arthroplasty surgery in a laminar flow operating theatre. The isolates matched those cultured from swab samples taken from the skin of one of the surgeons's foreheads on each of the two occasions. These findings occurred despite scrub staff wearing standard occlusive gowns, hats and masks with visors. In order to localize the potential source of such shedding more accurately, 20 members of theatre staff underwent anonymous microbiological swabbing from the facial areas not covered by theatre clothing, namely their foreheads, eyebrows and ears. These swabs were cultured and the growths were compared statistically. Significantly more colonies were cultured from swabs taken from the theatre staff's ears (P = 0.047, Freidman's test) compared with the other two facial areas studied. These data support the use of exhaust helmets in arthroplasty surgery, or at least mandatory coverage of the ears with theatre hats for scrub staff.

The optimal depth for femoral cement insertion in total hip replacement. An anatomical and clinical study into cementing technique in the proximal femur.

In retrograde cementing, blood often rises proximally on the surface of injected cement. This blood contamination weakens the cement-bone interface. The major source of bleeding into the proximal femoral medullary canal is the severed nutrient artery. The aims of this study were to define the clinically relevant anatomy of the nutrient artery supplying the proximal femur and establish the optimum depth of cement insertion to minimise blood contamination. Sixty cadaveric femora were radiographed with a wire placed in the nutrient foramen to assess the distance from the tip of the greater trochanter to its entry into the proximal femoral medullary canal. The nutrient artery entered the medullary canal at an average of 13.9 cm from the tip of the greater trochanter and never more proximal than 10.3cm. In 30 patients undergoing primary total hip replacement, cement was inserted retrogradely at 7.5cm, 10 cm or 15 cm from the tip of the greater trochanter and blood contamination recorded. There was blood in significantly fewer cases when cement was inserted at 10cm. Cement insertion 10cm distal to the tip of the greater trochanter appears to occlude the bleeding nutrient artery and should give a stronger proximal cement-bone interface. (Hip International 2002; 2: 135-8).

Bilateral hip surgery in severe cerebral palsy a preliminary review.

When cerebral palsy involves the entire body pelvic asymmetry indicates that both hips are 'at risk'. We carried out a six-year retrospective clinical, radiological and functional study of 30 children (60 hips) with severe cerebral palsy involving the entire body to evaluate whether bilateral simultaneous combined soft-tissue and bony surgery of the hip could affect the range of movement, achieve hip symmetry as judged by the windsweep index, improve the radiological indices of hip containment, relieve pain, and improve handling and function. The early results at a median follow-up of three years showed improvements in abduction and adduction of the hips in flexion, fixed flexion contracture, radiological containment of the hip using both Reimer's migration percentage and the centre-edge angle of Wiberg, and in relief of pain. Ease of patient handling improved and the satisfaction of the carer with the results was high. There was no difference in outcome between the dystonic and hypertonic groups.