Bo Povlsen

Arthroscopic findings in patients with painful wrist ganglia

The aetiology of painful dorsal wrist ganglia remains obscure. In a prospective study we investigated the link between a painful dorsal wrist ganglion and wrist joint abnormality with wrist arthroscopy before excision of the ganglion. Of 16 wrists arthroscoped 12 were abnormal, 10 had an abnormal scapholunate joint, and two had abnormal lunatetriquetral joints. We think that painful dorsal wrist ganglia, like popliteal cysts in the knee, are markers of underlying joint abnormalities. Surgeons who treat painful ganglia should be aware of a possible underlying cause so that they can target treatment more accurately, particularly in recurrent cases and those patients with persistent wrist pain after excision of the ganglion.The aetiology of painful dorsal wrist ganglia remains obscure. In a prospective study we investigated the link between a painful dorsal wrist ganglion and wrist joint abnormality with wrist arthroscopy before excision of the ganglion. Of 16 wrists arthroscoped 12 were abnormal, 10 had an abnormal scapholunate joint, and two had abnormal lunatetriquetral joints. We think that painful dorsal wrist ganglia, like popliteal cysts in the knee, are markers of underlying joint abnormalities. Surgeons who treat painful ganglia should be aware of a possible underlying cause so that they can target treatment more accurately, particularly in recurrent cases and those patients with persistent wrist pain after excision of the ganglion.

Outcome of late presentation of injuries of the volar plate of the proximal interphalangeal joint

Abstract Early recognition and treatment of volar plate injuries within two weeks is reported to give a good outcome, but there is no published information about the consequences of delayed presentation. We present a series of 14 patients with 16 injuries, who presented more than two weeks after the initial injury. All patients were referred to a specialist hand trauma clinic over a 10 months period and were evaluated prospectively and treated with immediate mobilisation by a specialist hand therapist. Mean time to presentation was 27 days (range 14–79) and mean improvement in range of movement was 25° (range 2–52) with mean residual extension lag 10° (range −4–56). All patients returned to their previous levels of function by the time of discharge. We conclude that it is possible to achieve good outcome without surgical intervention even when the presentation time is four weeks if experienced hand therapists manage the rehabilitation.

Use of the ‘Typing Capacity Cycle’ Test as an Assessment Tool for Keyboard Users with Work-Related Upper Limb Disorder

This paper describes a ‘typing capacity cycle’ test (first typing period + recovery time) for keyboard users with Type II Work-Related Upper Limb Disorder. The test was implemented on both control and patient groups on a standardised VDU in a neutral location. The patients’ test results showed that the typing speed and the typing endurance were not directly correlated with the required recovery period. This is a new finding. We therefore suggest that measuring the ‘typing capacity cycle’ represents true work capacity more accurately than recording typing speed in patients with Type II Work Related Upper Limb Disorder. Performance of a small group of Type II WRULD patients following rehabilitation is also reported.

Functional evaluation of regenerated and misrouted axons to glabrous and hairy skin of the rat hind foot after sciatic neurotomy and suture

The function of misrouted regenerated polymodal nociceptor C-fibers and low-threshold mechanoreceptive axons in the lateral plantar nerve (LPN) and in the foot branch of the superficial peroneal nerve (fSPN) was evaluated 3 months after unilateral sciatic neurotomy and suture. Two weeks before evaluation the tibial fascicle (or the peroneal fascicle) above the neurotomy was cut and tied off. In this way only functional regeneration of misrouted axons was tested in the LPN (or the fSPN). In regenerated animals the glabrous skin area had no functional fSPN-related low-threshold mechanoreceptive axons. However, the hairy fSPN skin area showed function of misrouted LPN-related low-threshold mechanoreceptive axons. In both the glabrous skin domain innervated by the LPN and the hairy skin area supplied by the fSPN, functional regeneration of misrouted polymodal nociceptor C-fibers was found. We conclude that functional regeneration of misrouted axons related to polymodal nociceptive units and low-threshold mechanoreceptive units is more efficient in hairy skin of the rat foot whereas only misrouted polymodal nociceptor C-fibers recover function in glabrous skin.

Primary repair of a flexor tendon after a human bite.

Successful uncomplicated primary closure of a human bite injury of the hand with simultaneous zone II flexor tendon injury has not been previously reported to our knowledge. We report the case of a man who was bitten on his left ring and right middle and index fingers. He was treated with antiseptic lavage, intravenous antibiotics, and operation. He had complete transsection of the flexor digitorum profundus at the middle phalanx. This was repaired primarily and he made a good recovery.

Functional Regeneration of C-Fibries Inside a Silicone Tube After Sciatic Neurotomy in Rats

Peripheral nerve lesions are often complicated by difficulties in approximating the nerve stumps without tension. The aim of the present study was to evaluate C-fibre function after nerve regeneration in rats in which the nerve had been lengthened by leaving a 5 mm gap inside a silicone tube (n = 5). The outcome was compared with nerve regeneration after epineural end-to-end suture (n = 5). The innervated skin territory was defined by Evans blue extravasation after antidromic nerve stimulation. Five rats acted as controls. After three months, there was similar functional reinnervation in both experimental groups, which indicates that silicone tubes may reduce tension over a nerve repair with no adverse effects.

Functional evaluation of regenerated and misrouted low threshold mechanoreceptors and polymodal nociceptors in the skin of rat hindfeet after crush lesions to the sciatic nerve

Tracer studies on motor axons after nerve crush injuries have indicated that misrouting may occur even when the endoneurium is intact. Misrouting of regenerated polymodal nociceptive C-fibres and low threshold mechanoreceptive axons have been studied functionally in 50 rats three months after unilateral crush lesions to the sciatic nerve. Two weeks before evaluation the tibial fascicle (or the peroneal fascicle) above the lesion was cut and tied off. In this way only functional regeneration of misrouted axons was tested. Misrouted low threshold mechanoreceptive axons and polymodal nociceptor C-fibres were found after regeneration in both glabrous and hairy skin. We conclude that functional misdirection of both myelinated and unmyelinated sensory axons innervating either glabrous or hairy skin can occur after a crush lesion to a peripheral nerve in rats.

Radionuclide Imaging of the Hand and Wrist

Nuclear medicine techniques continue to play a role in the diagnosis and management of hand, and wrist disorders, despite the advent of other cross-sectional imaging techniques such as MRI and CT. This chapter reviews the techniques available, concentrating on specific applications in the hand and wrist.