[Treatment of Congenital Ulnar Impingement Syndrome by Corrective Osteotomy of the Distal Radius - Clinical Results]. / Therapie des kongenitalen ulnaren Impingement-Syndroms durch dekomprimierende Korrekturosteotomie des distalen Radius ­ klinische Ergebnisse.

BACKGROUND: In 2016, a new method was described to treat the painful impingement syndrome of the DRUJ: decompression corrective osteotomy of the distal radius. Clinical symptoms are based on a positive compression test; pain occurs with weight-bearing on the forearm. This phenomenon is seen in conjunction with a deformed sigmoid notch together with ulna minus-variance, which leads to increased tension in the distal oblique bundle of the interosseous membrane. The etiology of the condition can be either congenital, post-traumatic, or iatrogenic. Through the proposed osteotomy, decompression in the DRUJ is achieved. This study summarises the results of these surgical procedures performed in our hand centre exclusively in cases of congenital origin. PATIENTS UND METHODS: Remodelling of the DRUJ is achieved through the shortening of the distal radius together with closed wedge osteotomy. Relief of the interosseous membrane is accomplished by ulnar translation of the radial shaft. This study only included patients with congenital incongruency in the DRUJ. The results were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Krimmer Wrist Score and by measuring the preoperative and postoperative range of motion as well as grip strength. RESULTS: Within 11 years, 45 procedures were performed with our method on 38 patients, of which 17 were treated on the right side, 14 on the left side, and 7 bilaterally. In cases of bilateral incongruency, only the symptomatic side was treated. The statistical evaluation showed a significant reduction of pain on the VAS from 7.2 to 2 (p<0.001). No significant changes were seen in the range of motion (p=0.812). The Krimmer Wrist Score showed good to excellent results in almost 90% of cases. CONCLUSION: If the indication criteria are met, contraindications are avoided and the osteotomy is correctly performed, this technique leads to an improvement of patients' functionality and quality of life. From a preventive viewpoint, the influence on the progression of the degenerative changes is yet to be demonstrated in further studies. At any rate, this is a safe procedure, which leaves the path open for other possible options.

[Diagnostics and classification of distal radius fractures]. / Diagnostik und Klassifikation der distalen Radiusfraktur.

Fractures of the distal radius show a wide spectrum of different fracture patterns. Although standard X­ray images are sufficient for extra-articular fractures, the exact analysis of intra-articular fractures requires the use of computed tomography (CT) with coronal, sagittal and axial sectional images. The classification is based on the Working Group for Osteosynthesis Questions (AO) criteria. The treatment strategy can be more precisely defined by a CT-based classification. Special attention must be paid to the presence of the key corners, as they have a high risk for primary or secondary dislocation if they not adequately stabilized.

[Experiences with arthroplasty of the basal joint of the thumb : The"mini-hip" gains ground]. / Erfahrungen mit Endoprothetik am Daumensattelgelenk : Die "Mini-Hüfte" auf dem Vormarsch.

The complex kinematics of the saddle joint has been a challenge in the development of trapeziometacarpal prostheses. The introduction of the dual-mobility design increases the range of motion and limits strains on the cup fixation. Therefore, rates of loosening and dislocation have been markedly reduced. Furthermore, several studies showed a similar relief of pain, range of movement and grip strength compared to the results of resection arthroplasty. The preservation of the length of the first ray as well as the more stable and functional joint can be favourable in younger and active patients. Further investigation is needed to determine whether or not those higher demands affect long-term survivorship. The high grade of patient satisfaction, the shorter recovery time and the safe surgical technique motivates considering the implantation of a total endoprosthesis with a dual-mobility cup as an attractive alternative to resection arthroplasty in the operative treatment for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis.

Corrective osteotomy after malunited distal radius fractures.

Posttraumatic malunion or secondary dislocation can cause wrist joint incongruency. Uncorrected malalignment increases the risk of secondary degenerative changes and chronic pain. Therefore, early correction using the available fixed-angle devices, cancellous bone grafting only becomes necessary in larger bony defects. Premounting the plate through a palmar approach with regard to the desired correction angles leads to predictable results by precise correction. In case of posttraumatic growth arrest with larger discrepancy of the radius and the ulna, a two-staged procedure is advisable.