Dimitrios Christoforou

Fractures of the Radial Head and Neck

The majority of simple fractures of the radial head are stable, even when displaced 2 mm. Articular fragmentation and comminution can be seen in stable fracture patterns and are not absolute indications for operative treatment. Preservation and/or restoration of radiocapitellar contact is critical to coronal plane and longitudinal stability of the elbow and forearm. Partial and complete articular fractures of the radial head should be differentiated. Important fracture characteristics impacting treatment include fragment number, fragment size (percentage of articular disc), fragment comminution, fragment stability, displacement and corresponding block to motion, osteopenia, articular impaction, radiocapitellar malalignment, and radial neck and metaphyseal comminution and/or bone loss. Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced radial head fractures should only be attempted when anatomic reduction, restoration of articular congruity, and initiation of early motion can be achieved. If these goals are not obtainable, open reduction and internal fixation may lead to early fixation failure, nonunion, and loss of elbow and forearm motion and stability. Radial head replacement is preferred for displaced radial head fractures with more than three fragments, unstable partial articular fractures in which stable fixation cannot be achieved, and fractures occurring in association with complex elbow injury patterns if stable fixation cannot be ensured.

Return to sports after shoulder arthroplasty: a survey of surgeons’ preferences

BACKGROUNDnShoulder arthroplasty has become more prevalent, and patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasty are becoming more active. Recommendations for return to athletic activity have not recently been updated and do not consider the newest arthroplasty options.nnnMETHODSnA survey was distributed to 310 members of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons, inquiring about allowed participation in 28 different athletic activities after 5 types of shoulder arthroplasty options (total shoulder arthroplasty, hemiarthroplasty, humeral resurfacing, total shoulder resurfacing, and reverse shoulder arthroplasty).nnnRESULTSnThe response rate to the survey was 30.3%, with 74.1% of respondents allowing some return to athletic activity after shoulder arthroplasty. The 28 athletic activities were grouped into 4 categories based on the load and possible impact to the shoulder. Only 51% of respondents allowed any participation in contact sports, whereas 90% allowed some participation in noncontact low-load sports. Return to sports after humeral resurfacing was highest, at 92.0% of the respondents, whereas the least percentage of surgeons allowed sports after reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, at 45.2%.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe majority of surveyed surgeons allowed some return to sports after shoulder arthroplasty. Surgeons were more likely to recommend return to sports if the activities did not involve significant contact, risk of fall or collision, or application of high loads to the shoulder joint. Surgeons were also more likely to recommend return to sports if the arthroplasty did not involve the glenoid.nnnCLINICAL RELEVANCEnThe results of this survey may help surgeons counsel patients regarding return to specific athletic activities after various types of shoulder arthroplasty.

Avulsion injuries of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon.

Abstract Avulsions of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon may involve tendon retraction into the palm and fractures of the distal phalanx. Although various repair techniques have been described, none has emerged as superior to others. Review of the literature does provide evidence‐based premises for treatment: multi‐strand repairs perform better, gapping may be seen with pullout suture‐dorsal button repairs, and failure because of bone pullout remains a concern with suture anchor methods. Clinical prognostic factors include the extent of proximal tendon retraction, chronicity of the avulsion, and the presence and size of associated osseous fragments. Patients must be counseled appropriately regarding anticipated outcomes, the importance of postoperative rehabilitation, and potential complications. Treatment alternatives for the chronic avulsion injury remain patient‐specific and include nonsurgical management, distal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis, and staged reconstruction.

Evaluation and treatment of failed carpal tunnel release.

Treatment failure and complications are encountered in 1% to 25% of all carpal tunnel releases. Besides hematoma, infection, skin necrosis, and intraoperative iatrogenic injuries, persistence and recurrence should be included in this discussion. Persistence is often related to incomplete release. Similar symptoms recurring after a symptom-free interval of 6 months are considered recurrent and may be caused by intraneural or perineural scarring. Adequate diagnosis and treatment of these failures can be challenging. Operative release is the main treatment consisting of complete decompression of the median nerve. In some circumstances, coverage of the median nerve may be necessary.

Spontaneous rupture of the extensor carpi radialis brevis in a 51-year-old man: case report.

Dorsal hand osteophytes are common findings in the general population, frequently presenting with dorsal pain and treated with surgical excision. We report the spontaneous rupture of the extensor carpi radialis brevis in association with a previously asymptomatic dorsal scaphoid spur. Following conservative management, surgical excision of dorsal hand osteophytes should be considered for both resolution of pain and prevention of attritional tendon rupture.

Young and Burgess Type I Lateral Compression Pelvis Fractures: A Comparison of Anterior and Posterior Pelvic Ring Injuries

The goals of this study were to find associations between anterior and posterior ring injuries, provide a descriptive comparison of pelvic ring disruptions as assessed by plain radiography, and compare the value of computed tomography (CT) over plain radiography in evaluating anterior and posterior structures. A retrospective review of radiographic reports and records identified 142 patients with pubic ramus fractures as observed by plain radiography. A statistical analysis was performed to test the associations between anterior ring injury as assessed by plain radiography and posterior ring injury as assessed by CT. Forty-five point five percent of patients with bilateral ramus fractures and 42.0% of patients with dual-ramus fractures had concomitant sacral fractures not observed on plain radiographs. These occult sacral fractures were found in only 11.1% of patients with inferior ramus fractures. The type of pubic injury on plain radiographs may be predictive of posterior ring injury, and therefore may help determine injury energy and severity, determine the need for further imaging studies, and help guide clinical management. Although CT is highly sensitive in identifying both anterior and posterior pubic ring injuries, elderly patients with simple fractures of a single pubic ramus are less likely to suffer from pelvic instability and thus may not benefit from CT.

An aggressive group a streptococcal cellulitis of the hand and forearm requiring surgical debridement.

Group A streptococcus is responsible for a diverse range of soft tissue infections. Manifestations range from minor oropharyngeal and cellulitic skin infections to more severe conditions such as necrotizing fasciitis and septic shock. Troubling increases in the incidence and the severity of streptococcal infections have been reported over the past 25 years. Cases of streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis have received significant attention in the literature, with prompt surgical debridement being the mainstay of treatment. However, cases of rapidly progressing upper extremity streptococcal cellulitis leading to shock and a subsequent surgical intervention have not been well described. This article presents a case of an 85-year-old woman with a rapidly progressing, erythematous, painful, swollen hand associated with fever, hypotension, and mental status change. Due to a high clinical suspicion for necrotizing fasciitis, the patient was rapidly resuscitated and underwent immediate surgical irrigation and debridement. All intraoperative fascial pathology specimens were negative for necrotizing fasciitis, leading to a final diagnosis of Group A streptococcal cellulitis. Although surgical intervention is not commonly considered in patients with cellulitis, our patient benefited from irrigation and debridement with soft tissue decompression. In cases of necrotizing fasciitis as well as rapidly progressive cellulitis, prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment may help patients avoid the catastrophic consequences of rapidly progressive group A streptococcal infections.

Arthroscopically Assisted Two-stage Cementation Technique for a Periarticular Knee Lesion

Managing skeletal metastatic disease can be a challenging task for the orthopedic surgeon. In patients who have poor survival prognoses or are poor candidates for extensive reconstructive procedures, management with intralesional curettage and stabilization with bone cement with or without internal fixation to prevent development or propagation of a pathologic fracture may be the best option. The use of bone cement is preferable over the use of bone graft, as it allows for immediate postoperative weight bearing on the affected extremity.This article describes a case where the combined use of arthroscopy and a 2-stage cementation technique may allow preservation of the articular surface and optimization of short-term functional outcome after curettage of a periarticular metastatic lesion in a patient with an end-stage malignancy. We used knee arthroscopy to identify any articular penetration or intra-articular loose bodies after curettage and initial cementation of the periarticular lesion of the distal femur. Arthroscopic evaluation was carried out again after the lesion was packed with cement to identify and remove any loose intra-articular debris. The applicability of this technique is broad, and it can be used in any procedure involving cement packing in a periarticular location. Performed with caution, this technique can be a useful adjunct to surgical management of both malignant and locally aggressive benign bone lesions in periarticular locations.