Clinical Outcomes of Severely Angulated Fifth Metacarpal Neck Fractures Treated Nonsurgically

Background: Reasonable functional outcomes for nonoperative management of isolated, closed fifth metacarpal neck fractures with up to 70° angulation have been reported; however, reported outcomes for fractures with greater than 70° angulation are limited. This study describes clinical outcomes of nonsurgically treated fifth metacarpal neck fractures with angulation of greater than 70°. Methods: A retrospective review of patients treated between May 1, 2016, and May 1, 2020, included: (1) patients aged 18 years and above with an isolated, closed, fifth metacarpal neck fracture; (2) nonsurgical treatment; (3) healed fractures with angulation greater than 70° measured on oblique radiographs; and (4) minimum 6-month follow-up after injury. Photographic hand motion and patient-rated outcomes (Functional Hand Scale, Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand [QuickDASH], 12-item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-12]) were collected and reported. Results: A total of 364 fractures were identified; 11% (40/364) demonstrated angulation of greater than 70° (range: 71°-82°); and 15 patients (inclusion rate: 38%, 15/40) with mean fracture angulation of 73° (range: 71°-77°) participated in the study. Mean follow-up was 32 months (range: 8-120 months), the dominant hand was injured in 87% (13/15) of patients, and 47% (7/15) of patients worked in manual labor. All patients scored the highest rating of “very good” (range: 26-30 of 30 points) on the functional hand scale. A QuickDASH score of zero (no morbidity) was reported in 80% (12/15) of patients. About 87% (13/15) of patients had average or above-average scores on the SF-12 (mean = 109, range: 84-115). Conclusions: Patients with healed, isolated, closed fifth metacarpal neck malunions with severe angulation greater than 70° demonstrated acceptable functional outcomes based on patient-rated outcomes scoring.

The Effect of early active Movement following Repair of Extensor Tendons in Zone IV using three different suture Techniques – A cadaveric Study

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of early active movement on the area repaired with three different suture techniques used in extensor tendon injuries in zone IV. Materials and Methods A total of nine cadaver’s 35 extensor tendons from 9 intact upper extremities were used in this study. The proximal and distal borders of the extensor tendons in zone IV were marked. The distance between the proximal and distal border was measured with a 0.5 mm precision tape measure and the mid-point was marked. Intertendinous connections were dissected and loop sutures were prepared for each extensor digitorum. Afterwards, force was applied to each digit along the tendon axis from the loops inserted into the extensor tendons, to measure the extensor forces required to extend the MCP joints to 0˚ with a hand scale. The flexor tendons of the digits were dissected at zone III, and loop sutures were prepared individually for the tendons to enable independent flexion for each digit. The force required to fully flex the digits was measured with a hand scale. The extensor tendons were incised transversely and repaired at the mid-point in zone IV with three different suture techniques (double Kessler, double figure of eight, running interlocking horizontal mattress (RIHM)). The extenxor tendon lengths in zone IV were re-measured for all digits after suturing. The predetermined forces required for full flexion and extension of the digits were applied to the repaired digits. After force was applied 20 times to each tendon, the gap formation was checked. Totally 200 flexion and 200 extension movements were applied to each finger with the help of a hand-held scale. Formation of 2-mm gap was failure criteria. At the end of the movements the extent of the gaps was recorded. In the absence of insufficiency at the repair site, 50 additional flexion and extension movements with double the previously recorded forces were applied to the tendons. Results There was a significant shortening of the extensor tendons after repair independent from the used suture technique. No significant gap formation was detected in all three suture techniques. Conclusion All three suturing techniques are reliable for early active movements following the zone IV extensor tendon repairs. Therefore, surgeons can choose one of those three suture techniques to repair extensor tendon injuries in zone IV.

Correlation of the I-HaND Scale with Other Musculoskeletal Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Scores

Background Experiments can determine if nerve-specific patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can outperform regional or condition-specific PROMs. We compared a nerve-specific PROM of the upper extremity, the Impact of Hand Nerve Disorders (I-HaND) scale, to other validated measures quantifying activity intolerance and sought to assess interquestionnaire correlations and factors independently associated with activity intolerance and pain intensity. Methods One hundred and thirty patients with any upper extremity nerve-related condition completed measures of demographics, psychological limitations, quality of life, activity intolerance, and pain intensity. To quantify activity intolerance, we used the I-HaND, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Upper Extremity, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand short form. Results Strong interquestionnaire correlations were found between the activity intolerance measures (r between 0.70 and 0.91). Multivariable analysis revealed that greater activity intolerance and greater pain intensity correlated most with greater symptoms of depression on all scales, with symptoms of depression accounting for 53 to 84% of the variability in the PROMs. Conclusion There is no clear advantage of the nerve-specific I-HaND over shorter, regional PROMs, perhaps because they are all so closely tied to mental health. Unless an advantage relating to responsiveness to treatment is demonstrated, we support using a brief arm-specific PROM for all upper extremity conditions. Level of Evidence Level II; Prognostic.

Brachioradialis Muscle Tendon Transposition in Extensor Pollicis Longus Reconstruction: Anatomical Study and a New Surgical Approach

Background Complete extension of the thumb and activation of the extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendon are fundamental to ensure maximum function. Many EPL repair techniques are described in the literature. Methods The authors present an alternative technique using the brachioradialis (BR) tendon. Thirty patients with injuries of the EPL tendon in zone 8 were studied. In all cases, neither direct suture repair nor traditional tendon transfer was possible. Results Thumb extension was restored in all patients with satisfactory extension recovery. All patients achieved excellent extension; good functional results were observed in 2 cases, and in 1 case satisfactory results were achieved using the Geldmacher assessment and the Kapandji assessment. The overall results were rated as excellent, good, fair, or poor according to the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Scale. Discussion The BR tendon was suitable to treat all cases, in particular injuries occurring near Lister’s tubercle, due to its appropriate length for tenorrhaphy albeit with a short distal head.

A multimorbiditás hatása a funkcionális és életminőség-eredményekre generalizált osteoarthrosisban

Absztrakt: Bevezetés: Az osteoarthrosis (az angol nevezéktanban osteoarthritis) mint a leggyakoribb ízületi megbetegedés kiemelt népegészségügyi jelentőséggel bír. Célkitűzés: A multimorbiditás hatásának vizsgálata a funkcionális és életminőségtesztekre generalizált osteoarthrosisban (GOA, kéz- és térdízületi osteoarthrosis együttes jelenléte) szenvedő nőkben. Módszer: A keresztmetszeti vizsgálatba az American College of Rheumatology (ACR) kritériumrendszere alapján klasszifikálható kéz- és térdízületi osteoarthrosisban szenvedő betegeket vontunk be. A kontrollcsoportba mozgásszervi szempontból panaszmentesek kerülhettek, akiknél klasszifikálható osteoarthrosis vagy gyulladásos reumatológiai betegség gyanúja nem merült fel. A multimorbiditást összegzett komorbiditásszámmal jellemeztük. A GOA-csoportban a funkciót Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), a Cochin Hand Scale, Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) és a Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) segítségével, míg az életminőséget mindkét csoportban EuroQol-5D Scale teszttel mértük. Elemeztük az összegzett komorbiditásszám, az életkor és a testtömegindex (BMI) közötti kapcsolatot. Az adatok elemzéséhez leíró statisztikai módszereket, kétmintás t-próbát és Pearson-féle korrelációs tesztet alkalmaztunk. Eredmények: A vizsgálati csoportokba 200-200 résztvevőt vontunk be. Szignifikáns összefüggést mértünk mindkét vizsgálati csoportban a magasabb komorbiditásszám, a rosszabb életminőséget jelző EuroQol-5D-értékek, az idősebb életkor (korreláció a GOA-csoportban: 0,37, p<0,001, a kontrollcsoportban: 0,24, p<0,001) és a nagyobb BMI-érték között (korreláció a GOA-csoportban: 0,18, p: 0,01, a kontrollcsoportban: 0,45, p<0,001). Az összegzett komorbiditásszám emelkedése a GOA-csoportban negatív hatással volt a funkcióra és az életminőségre. Következtetés: Az idősebb életkor és a növekvő BMI-érték kifejezetten erős összefüggést mutatott a multimorbiditással mindkét vizsgálati csoportban. A kontrollcsoporthoz képest gyengébb kapcsolat igazolódott a BMI és az összegzett komorbiditásszám között osteoarthrosisos betegek esetében. További vizsgálat szükséges a GOA-csoportban feltételezhető eltérő összefüggések miatt. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(32): 1332–1340.

The first patient treated with a triple combination therapy after recurrent ischemic stroke

This case report presents the evolution of a patient with recurrent ischemic stroke, in the context of treatment with multimodal agent cerebrolysin, as an add-on to neurological rehabilitation and tDCS therapy. The patient was evaluated before and after treatment using a battery of tests such as the Nine-Hole Peg Test, handgrip force, Functional Hand Scale (1-5), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), Active Range of Motion (AROM) for the left shoulder, registering visible improvements in functional motor recovery after this therapeutic combination.

Os instrumentos de avaliação do estado funcional do ombro

A avaliação do estado funcional do ombro se tornou imprescindível, na tentativa de se compreender e documentar o impacto da dor e dos sintomas das diversas patologias do ombro sobre a funcionalidade. Este estudo tem por objetivo fazer uma revisão sistematizada do conteúdo e da qualidade psicométrica dos instrumentos de avaliação do estado funcional do ombro. Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática sobre o assunto em 5 bases de dados eletrônicas. Foram analisados 19 instrumentos e o respectivo conteúdo. A qualidade psicométrica dos instrumentos foi avaliada através de uma lista de checagem aplicada sobre os instrumentos originais. Os instrumentos Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scale (DASH), Simple Shoulder Test (SST) e Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) são os mais estudados, utilizados e que apresentam as melhores propriedades psicométricas. Nenhum destes instrumentos foi adaptado para ser utilizado no Brasil.Palavras-chave: ombro, avaliação, funcional, desabilidade.

Deficits in upper limbs after stroke

Objective. To verify whether the functional hemispheric asymmetries exert influence over the deficits on upper limbs of hemiparetic stroke patients. Method. 42 right-handed patients participated in the study, 18 women and 24 men, average age 61.7±10 years, average time le­sion 22±15.1 months. The instruments of measurements: Handgrip Dynamometer, Esthesiometer, Box and Blocks Test, Nine Hole and Peg Test, Barthel Index, Movements Hand Scale and the Modified Ashworth Scale. Results. All tests showed a difference between the paretic and non-paretic sides. Between men and women there was a difference only in the handgrip (p=0.001 paretic side and p<0.000 non paretic side). As hemispheric dominance was different in the pa­retic limb, with the best performance in Box and Blocks Test on the dominant side (p=0.016). Conclusion: In hemiparetic patients the contralateral alterations are global and more severe, and the ipsilateral are related to the manual dexterity. The evaluation and the rehabilita­tion planning of these patients have to consider global approaches and not only limited to the contralateral deficits.