Daniel Augusto Carvalho Maranho

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Achilles Tendon Repair After Percutaneous Sectioning for the Correction of Congenital Clubfoot Residual Equinus

Background Most cases of congenital clubfoot treated with the Ponseti technique require percutaneous Achilles tenotomy to correct the residual equinus. Clinical evidence suggests that complete healing occurs between the cut tendon stumps, but there have not yet been any detailed studies investigating this reparative process. This study was performed to assess Achilles tendon repair after percutaneous section to correct the residual equinus of clubfoot treated with the Ponseti method. Method A prospective study analyzed 37 tenotomies in 26 patients with congenital clubfoot treated with the Ponseti technique, with a minimum follow-up of 1 year after the section. The tenotomy was performed percutaneously with a large-bore needle bevel with patient sedation and local anesthesia. Ultrasonographic scanning was performed after section to ascertain that the tenotomy had been completed and to measure the stump separation. In the follow-up period, the reparative process was followed ultrasonographically and assessed at 3 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year posttenotomy. Results The ultrasonography performed immediately after the procedure showed that in some cases, residual strands between the tendon ends persisted, and these were completely sectioned under ultrasound control. A mean retraction of 5.65 mm±2.26 mm (range, 2.3 to 11.0 mm) between tendon stumps after section was observed. Unusual bleeding occurred in one case and was controlled by digital pressure, with no interference with the final treatment. After 3 weeks, ultrasonography showed tendon repair with the tendon gap filled with irregular hypoechoic tissue, and also with transmission of muscle motion to the heel. Six months after tenotomy, there was structural filling with a fibrillar aspect, mild or moderate hypoechogenicity, and tendon scar thickening when compared with a normal tendon. One year after tenotomy, ultrasound showed a fibrillar structure and echogenicity at the repair site that was similar to a normal tendon, but with persistent tendon scarring thickness. Conclusions There is a fast reparative process after Achilles tendon percutaneous section that reestablishes continuity between stumps. The reparative tissue evolved to tendon tissue with a normal ultrasonographic appearance except for mild thickening, suggesting a predominantly intrinsic repair mechanism.

Biomechanical performance of flexible intramedullary nails with end caps tested in distal segmental defects of pediatric femur models.

Background: Unstable distal femoral fractures in children are challenging lesions with restricted surgical options for adequate stabilization. Elastic nails have become popular for treating femoral shaft fractures, yet they are still challenging for using in distal fractures. The aim of this study was to test whether end caps (CAP) inserted into the nail extremity improved the mechanical stabilization of a segmental defect at the distal femoral metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction created in an artificial pediatric bone model. Methods: Two 3.5-mm titanium elastic nails (TEN) were introduced intramedullary into pediatric femur models, and a 7.0-mm-thick segmental defect was created at the distal diaphyseal-metaphyseal junction. Nondestructive 4-point bending, axial-bending, and torsion tests were conducted. After this, the end caps were inserted into the external tips of the nails and then screwed into the bone cortex. The mechanical tests were repeated. Stiffness, displacement, and torque were analyzed using the Wilcoxon nonparametric test for paired samples. Results: In the combined axial-bending tests, the TEN+CAP combination was 8.75% stiffer than nails alone (P<0.01); in torsion tests, the TEN+CAP was 14% stiffer than nails alone (P<0.01). In contrast, the 4-point bending test did not show differences between the methods (P=0.91, stiffness; P=0.51, displacement). Thus, the end caps contributed to an increase in the construct stability for torsion and axial-bending forces but not for 4-point bending forces. Conclusions: These findings indicate that end caps fitted to elastic nails may contribute to the stabilization of fractures that our model mimics (small distal fragment, bone comminution, and distal bone fragment loss). Clinical Relevance: Type II [therapeutic study: lesser-quality randomized controlled trial (eg, <80% follow-up, no blinding, or improper randomization)].

MRI Abnormalities of the Acetabular Labrum and Articular Cartilage Are Common in Healed Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease with Residual Deformities of the Hip

BACKGROUND Varying degrees of femoral deformity may result as Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease heals. Our aims were to investigate the prevalence of abnormalities of the acetabular labrum and cartilage, using noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging, and to correlate the findings with radiographic deformities that may exist after the healing of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. METHODS In a sample of ninety-nine patients with healed Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were used to assess the Stulberg classification, femoral head size and sphericity, femoral neck morphology, and acetabular version. A subgroup of fifty-four patients (fifty-nine hips) underwent noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging of the hip an average of eight years after disease onset. The acetabular labrum was evaluated according to a modified classification system, and the acetabular cartilage was evaluated for the presence of delamination and defects. The association among abnormalities of the acetabular labrum, articular cartilage, and radiographic deformities was assessed. RESULTS Abnormalities of the acetabular labrum and cartilage were found on magnetic resonance imaging scans in 75% and 47% of the hips, respectively. An alpha angle of ≥55° was the deformity most significantly associated with labral and cartilage abnormalities, followed by coxa brevis. Coxa magna and a higher greater trochanter showed a significant association with labral abnormalities only. Acetabular retroversion showed an increased risk for labral abnormalities when the alpha angle was normal. When deformities coexisted, the alpha angle showed the greatest relative risk for abnormality. CONCLUSIONS On the basis of magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the hip, labral and cartilage abnormalities were a common finding in patients with healed Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. Our results suggest that hip deformities are significantly associated with labral and cartilage abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging, and the main predisposing factor was the asphericity of the femoral head with a reduced femoral head-neck offset.

Standing Frame and Electrical Stimulation Therapies Partially Preserve Bone Strength in a Rodent Model of Acute Spinal Cord Injury

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare the effect of standing frame and electrical stimulation on bone quality in a rodent transection model of spinal cord injury (SCI). DesignSeven-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: sham, n = 10; SCI, n = 7; SCI + standing frame, n = 7; and SCI + electrical stimulation, n = 7. Complete SCI was generated by surgical transection of the cord at the T10 level. Therapies were initiated 3 days after the surgery, 3 days/wk, 20 mins/day, for 30 days. Animals were killed on day 33 postinjury. ResultsNo treatment preserved bone mineral density at any skeletal site tested (P = 0.08–0.99). Standing frame therapy preserved maximal load at the lumbar vertebral body (14% vs. 37% reduction, P = 0.01) and prevented SCI-induced loss of stiffness at both the femur (8% vs. 37% reduction, P = 0.03) and the tibia (35% vs. 56% reduction, P < 0.0001). Electrical stimulation therapy reduced SCI-induced loss of stiffness at the tibia only (40% vs. 56% reduction, P = 0.003). ConclusionsStanding frame and electrical stimulation may have potential as future therapeutic modalities to treat or prevent bone loss after SCI.

Uso de agulha de grosso calibre na secção percutânea do tendão calcâneo no pé torto congênito

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the percutaneous Achilles tendon sectioning technique using a large gauge needle for the correction of residual equinus of congenital clubfoot treated by the Ponseti method. METHODS: Fifty-seven Achilles tendon sections were prospectively evaluated in thirty-nine patients with clubfoot, treated by the Ponseti method between July 2005 and December 2008. The tenotomy was performed percutaneously with a large gauge needle. Ultrasound scan was performed immediately after the section, to ascertain whether the tenotomy was complete, as well as stump separation. RESULTS: There was complete tendon section in all cases, but the need to perform the section maneuver more than once was common, due to the persistence of the residual strands between tendon stumps. The Thompson test and dynamic ultrasound evaluation were able to detect incomplete tenotomies. The mean ultrasound measurement of the tendon gap was 5.70 ± 2.23 mm. Two patients had abnormal bleeding, which was controlled by digital pressure and did not compromise foot perfusion. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous Achilles tendon sectioning with a needle proved to be efficient and safe to correct residual equinus of clubfoot treated by the Ponseti technique.

Cervical pedicle morphometry in a Latin American population: A Brazilian study

AbstractThe goal of this study was to conduct a detailed computed tomography (CT) assessment in the Brazilian population of the screw starting point, trajectory, and dimensions of pedicle in the cervical spine.Two hundred consecutive patients were retrospectively evaluated using cervical spine CT, with imaging reconstruction of each cervical vertebrae in the axial plane with 2 mm, and in sagittal reconstructions with 3 mm. Parameters in axial plane included the pedicle width (PW), pedicle axis length (PAL), pedicle transverse angle (PTA), and the distance from the entry point to the point between the lamina and spinous process (DEP). Measurements in the sagittal plane involved the pedicle height (PH) and the pedicle sagittal angle (PSA).The mean PW and PH were smaller in females than in males in all cervical vertebrae, but there were no significant differences of PTA among genders. PSA ranged from 15.2° to 23.7°. Mean values of PAL and DEP had a tendency to decrease from the proximal to distal cervical vertebrae. PW was <4 mm in 7.5% of men (C3) and 25% of women (C3), and <4.5 mm in 20% (C3 male) and 66% (C3 female). The intra- and inter-observer reliability were very good for the tomographic measurement of PW, and good for PH. For PAL, the intraobserver reliability was good, but the interobserver reliability varied from moderate to good. Considering PTA and PSA, the intraobserver reliability was good, but the interobserver reliability moderate for PTA and poor or fair for PSA. DEP measurements showed poor intraobserver reliability, and poor or moderate interobserver reliability.Our results presented similar trend of previous studies, but the frequency of patients with PW <4.5 mm in our population is higher, suggesting an increased risk during the attempting of transpedicular screw technique.

Effect of Electrical Stimulation and Vibration Therapy on Skeletal Muscle Trophism in Rats with Complete Spinal Cord Injury.

ObjectiveThe goals of this work were to analyze the skeletal muscle changes after complete spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats and to compare the effects of electrical stimulation and whole-body vibration on prevention of muscle hypotrophy in these animals. DesignSeven-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (1) sham operation (sham, n = 12), (2) SCI (n = 10), (3) SCI + electrical stimulation (n = 9), and (4) SCI + whole-body vibration (n = 9). Complete SCI was generated by surgical transection of the cord at the T10 level. Therapies were initiated 3 days after the surgery and continued for 30 days at a frequency of 3 days per week, 20 mins per day. The animals were killed on day 33 after injury for subsequent analyses. ResultsSCI caused a significant decrease in muscle mass and fibers, perimeter measurements, and mechanical resistance to traction as well as an increase in fibrotic tissue. Electrical stimulation, but not whole-body vibration, resulted in significant partial muscle hypotrophy prevention. ConclusionsElectrical stimulation may be a potentially beneficial therapeutic modality to prevent muscle hypotrophy after SCI.

Acquired pes cavus in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease

Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies, especially Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, are frequently expressed with an acquired cavusvarus foot which is characterized by a fixed increase of the plantar arch and hindfoot inversion. Diagnosis of the underlying condition achieved through careful patient assessment and local evaluations is the keystone for decision-making about the adequate treatment. The cavus may present as an isolated deformity of the forefoot, hindfoot or it may be a combination of both locations. Related deformities, mainly the varus and toe clawing require appropriate evaluation; clinical characteristics such as severity of the deformity, impairment of the muscular power, flexibility and patients age are important characteristics in the treatment decision. Conservative treatment of the cavusvarus foot with physiotherapy, insoles and shoe modifications are reserved to young patients and mild deformities. However, there is a tendency of the deformity to become more severe over time because of the progressive feature of the underlying neurological condition. So, the surgical treatment by using classical techniques is performed in early stages. Most importantly is the identification of the primary and main components of each deformity to properly correct them, if possible. Muscular transfers are used to treat the dynamic unbalance, retracted structures should be either divided or lengthened and localized osteotomies should be preferred over arthrodeses, which are reserved for stiff and severely deformed feet in adults.

Tension band wiring for proximal femoral varus osteotomy fixation in children.

AbstractFor proximal varus osteotomy of the femur in children, a stable fixation, is a concern regarding the safety and the protection of the surgery. The methods of fixation are mostly represented by plating systems; however, the tension band wiring is a simple and eligible option for fixation of proximal femur osteotomy. The purpose of this retrospective case series study is to evaluate outcomes and bone remodelation after using the tension band wiring technique to fixate proximal femoral varus osteotomies in children.The study enrolled 20 patients who underwent femoral varus osteotomy to treat Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease and other causes of necrosis of the femoral head. The mean patient age at the time of surgery was 7.4 ± 2.3 years (range, 4.3–13.8 y), and the follow-up period averaged 10 ± 4.3 years (range, 4.7–20.8 y). To assess the effects of the osteotomy at the neck-shaft angle and its evolution over time, radiographs obtained preoperatively and during the follow-up were analyzed. The neck-shaft angle was measured independently by 2 observers, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were assessed for reliability.The ICC analysis showed good reliability. There was a significant reduction in the neck-shaft angle (P < 0.001) between the preoperative and the immediate postoperative periods, with an estimated difference of 14.3°. Between the immediate and the early postoperative periods, the estimated difference was 2.1°, which indicated a significant increase in the neck-shaft angle (P = 0.003). Between the early postoperative period and the final evaluation, there was a significant increase (P < 0.001), with an estimated difference of 7.0°. No implant failures or other complications were observed, but 1 case of peri-implant femoral fracture occurred >17 years postsurgery.The tension band wiring technique proved to be a simple and effective method for fixating proximal femoral varus osteotomy in children.The level IV is appropriated for our study (case series, retrospective).

Anatomic Changes in the Macroscopic Morphology and Microarchitecture of Denervated Long Bone Tissue after Spinal Cord Injury in Rats

To study the effects of mechanical loading on bones after SCI, we assessed macro- and microscopic anatomy in rats submitted to passive standing (PS) and electrical stimulation (ES). The study design was based on two main groups of juvenile male Wistar rats with SCI: one was followed for 33 days with therapies starting at day 3 and the other was followed for 63 days with therapies starting at day 33. Both groups were composed of four subgroups (n = 10/group): (1) Sham, (2) SCI, (3) SCI + PS, and (4) SCI + ES. Rehabilitation protocol consisted of a 20-minute session, 3x/wk for 30 days. The animals were sequentially weighed and euthanized. The femur and tibia were assessed macroscopically and microscopically by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The SCI rats gained less weight than Sham-operated animals. Significant reduction of bone mass and periosteal radii was observed in the SCI rats, whereas PS and ES efficiently improved the macroscopic parameters. The SEM images showed less and thin trabecular bone in SCI rats. PS and ES efficiently ameliorated the bone microarchitecture deterioration by thickening and increasing the trabeculae. Based on the detrimental changes in bone tissue following SCI, the mechanical loading through weight bearing and muscle contraction may decrease the bone loss and restore the macro- and microanatomy.