Scoliosis in patients with arthrogryposis: a literature review

The reported incidence of scoliosis in patients with arthrogryposis varies greatly between 2,5% and 69%. Curves can progress quickly. The most typical localizations of scoliosis are the thoracic and the thoracolumbar parts of the spine. In some cases, thoracolumbar scoliosis is combined with contractures in the hip and pelvis oblique. Scoliosis in children with arthrogryposis, as opposed to limb abnormalities, is generally rarely diagnosed at birth. The diagnosis is often established at the age of 5 years and can be explained by a period of rapid spine growth. The poor prognostic signs that determine the rapid development of scoliosis include progression at an early age, paralytic deformity, and pelvis oblique. Treatment options include spine casting, bracing, expandable implant surgery, and spinal fusion. The treatment goal is to allow optimal growth and development of the chest and a well-balanced spine. This article analyzes the modern approach to treatment scoliosis in patients with arthrogryposis.

Claw-finger Correction in Leprosy Using Half of the Flexor Digitorum Superficialis

The commonest paralytic deformity in leprosy is the claw deformity of the fingers. Many surgical procedures have been described and are practiced to correct this deformity, but none is free from complications. A modification of the Zancolli lasso operation in which only half of the flexor digitorum superficialis tendon of the middle finger was used as the motor is described and a comparative study of this and the conventional procedure was carried out in 70 hands in 70 patients. The results suggest that the modification is technically simpler, with comparable results to those of the conventional procedure and fewer complications.