Gursel Leblebicioglu

Cross-Cultural Adaptation, Validation, and Reliability Process of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire in a Turkish Population

PURPOSE The Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) is a domain-specific questionnaire that was developed to be used as a standardized instrument capable of measuring outcomes for patients with all types of hand disorders. The purpose of this study was to develop the Turkish version of the MHQ and to examine whether it is a valid and reliable tool for assessing the outcomes in hand disorders. METHODS Translation and back-translation of the MHQ were performed, according to published guidelines. A total of 70 patients with hand complaints completed the final version of the MHQ and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire Turkish version (DASH-T) twice, on their first visit and after an interval of 7 days. Visual analog scale (VAS) results for pain intensity and grip strength measurements of the individuals were also taken in both assessments consecutively. RESULTS Translation and back-translation revealed no major difficulties. The Turkish version of the MHQ met set criteria of reliability and validity. The intraclass correlation coefficient of the test-retest reliability for the 6 subscales ranged from 0.79 to 0.96. The internal consistency of the MHQ, estimated by Cronbachs alpha, ranged from 0.85 to 0.96 for all subscale scores. There were high to moderate correlations between MHQ and DASH scores and VAS and grip strength scores of the injured side. CONCLUSIONS The Turkish version of the MHQ has excellent test-retest reliability and validity, and it is an adequate and useful instrument for measuring functional disability in hand disorders of Turkish-speaking patients.

Neurodynamic mobilization in the conservative treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome: long-term follow-up of 7 cases.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this case series is to describe the effect of nerve mobilization techniques in the standard conservative management of cubital tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS Seven patients with CTS participated in this study. Inclusion criteria were having grade 1 and grade 2 entrapment neuropathy according to the McGowan grading system and no other neuropathies. In the evaluation, gripping with grip dynamometer; palmar gripping with a pinchmeter; pain level and Tinel sign with visual analog scale; sensibility with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments; and functional status of the patients with the Turkish version of the Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Index were performed before starting a rehabilitation program, at the end of the 8-week rehabilitation program, and at 12-month follow-up. The physiotherapy program consisted of cold application, pulsed ultrasound, nerve mobilization techniques, strengthening exercises, postural adaptations, patient education, and ergonomic modifications. RESULTS Pain; Tinel sign; and Disability of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Index scores were decreased, whereas grip and pinch strength increased in the observation period for these 7 patients. CONCLUSION This case series demonstrated that conservative treatment of CTS may be beneficial for selected patients with mild to moderate symptoms. The treatment included neurodynamic mobilizations, including sliding techniques and tensioning techniques, which are thought to enhance ulnar nerve gliding and restore neural tissue mobility. Conservative treatment using neurodynamic mobilization with patient education and activity modification demonstrated some long-term positive results.

The Annular Ligament An Anatomical Study

Background Despite documentations of ligamentous structures of the elbow, the anatomy and clinical and functional importance of the annular ligament has not been comprehensively defined in the orthopaedic literature. Hypothesis The annular ligament is an important component of both the proximal radioulnar and humeroradial joints, as well as an important component of the neighboring muscles and ligaments. Study Design Descriptive laboratory study. Materials and Methods To investigate the annular ligament and its relationship with neighboring structures, macroscopic and microscopic dissections were performed on both upper extremities of 30 cadavers (12 female and 18 male) fixed in 10% formaldehyde and on 1 upper extremity of a fresh cadaver (male). Results The distal ulnar insertion of discrete fibers on the supinator crest was defined as the inferior oblique band of the annular ligament, and the proximal insertion of the annular ligament was defined as the superior oblique band of the annular ligament. These patterns were noted in all specimens. It was difficult to distinguish the fibers of the supinator muscle in every specimen because they were intimately fused with the fibers of the annular ligament. Conclusions The superior and inferior oblique bands of the annular ligament attached proximally and distally onto the ulna, thus helping to secure the annular ligament in place.

Quality of life in mothers of children with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy.

Background:  The aim of this study was to explore impairment in quality of life (QOL) of the mothers who were primarily responsible for taking care of children with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) and to state its association with the age, sex and functional status of the child with OBPP.

Bilateral discoid medial menisci: association with bone changes in the tibia.

We present here the third case report of bilateral discoid medial menisci with associated bone changes. An 18-year-old man had bilateral medial tibial plateau depression (cupping) accompanying medial discoid menisci documented by magnetic resonance imaging and confirmed by arthroscopy. The patient was treated successfully by excision of the torn central anomalous discoid portion of the menisci using arthroscopic partial resection technique.

Intraneural hemangioma of digital nerve diagnosed with MR imaging

Hemangioma may occur at any location. Although the imaging findings of hemangioma are well known, it may be difficult to differentiate this entity from other soft-tissue tumors. Intraneural hemangiomas are extremely rare. We present a girl with a painful swelling in the fourth web space of her right hand. Since it was painful, the referring clinician considered the possibility of a glomus tumor. However, demonstration of dilated feeding or draining vessels suggested the diagnosis of hemangioma. At surgery a hemangioma of the ulnar digital nerve of the ring finger was resected marginally.

Symptomatic ring-shaped lateral meniscus: magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopy

A ring-shaped lateral meniscus is a very rare entity within the spectrum of abnormalities of lateral meniscus. We present the second case in the literature of a symptomatic ring-shaped lateral meniscus in combination with a meniscal cyst and in association with an osteochondritis dissecans lesion of the medial femoral condyle. A potential pitfall of magnetic resonance imaging (i.e., displaced meniscal tear) is addressed in the diagnosis of this entity, as well as the role of magnetic resonance imaging in revealing associated abnormalities.

Combination of extremity computed tomography angiography and abdominal imaging in patients with musculoskeletal tumors

Purpose: To introduce a comprehensive computed tomography (CT) protocol for the evaluation of patients with musculoskeletal tumors by combining extremity CT angiography and abdomen CT in a dynamic multidetector CT study. Methods: Single contrast bolus was used for each study in 4 patients with musculoskeletal tumors involving the lower extremities. Extremity CT angiography and abdominal CT were acquired sequentially by 4-channel multidetector CT. Technical parameters for extremity CT angiography were as follows: detector collimation, 4 mm × 1 mm; pitch, 1.75; slice thickness, 1.25 mm; reconstruction interval, 1 mm; coverage, 42 cm; and table speed, 14 mm/s. Thick and thin maximum intensity projections, volume renderings, and multiplanar reformats with or without bone subtraction were used to display vascular supply of the extremity mass and adjacent vascular structures. Results: Satisfactory images of the extremity arterial system and abdomen were obtained in all patients. The mean delay time for CT angiography was 25 seconds. Extremity CT angiography demonstrated feeding arteries of a fibular giant cell tumor and a large lymphomatous mass. The same protocol was used for the evaluation of a distal tibial osteosarcoma and a fibular chondrosarcoma. In 2 patients, early venous return was noted, indicating vascularity of the tumors. In all patients, the relation of osseus masses to adjacent vascular structures was visualized as well as the bony anatomy. Conclusion: Extremity CT angiography and abdominal staging CT can be combined in a single dynamic multidetector CT protocol in patients with musculoskeletal tumors, resulting in a reduction of costs, acquisition time, and contrast dose as well as an improvement in patient management. The same protocol can also be used in trauma patients.

[Intra-articular sodium hyaluronate injections after arthroscopic debridement for osteoarthritis of the knee: a prospective, randomized, controlled study].

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) injections after arthroscopic debridement on pain and functional parameters in patients with mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis. METHODS Sixty-seven patients (21 men, 46 women; mean age 56 years; range 40 to 65 years) who underwent standard arthroscopic debridement for primary knee osteoarthritis of Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-III were randomly assigned to HA injections (n=33) or to only follow-up as controls (n=34). Intra-articular sodium hyaluronate injections (Orthovisc) were started three weeks after arthroscopic debridement, totaling three injections interspersed with a week. The two groups were evaluated with the pain and physical function subscales of the WOMAC osteoarthritis index before and after 6, 12, and 24 weeks of arthroscopic debridement. RESULTS Improvement in pain scores at 6 weeks did not differ between the two groups (HA 21%, control 16%; p=0.478), whereas improvement in function scores was significantly higher in the HA group (23% vs 9.2%; p=0.018). The rates of improvement in pain and function scores increased in subsequent evaluations, but these did not differ significantly between the two groups. The percentages of patients who exhibited at least 30% and 40% improvement from baseline function scores were significantly greater in the HA group only at six weeks (p=0.025 and p=0.038, respectively). CONCLUSION Intra-articular HA injections after arthroscopic debridement provide additional short-term benefits, but this combination therapy should be justified by further controlled studies with longer follow-up and larger patient groups.

Congenital infantile fibrosarcoma of the thigh in a newborn.

Congenital/infantile fibrosarcoma occurs frequently in the first year of life and differs from fibrosarcoma in adulthood. The clinical course of congenital/infantile fibrosarcoma is more favorable and metastatic spread is rare. While adult fibrosarcomas are common in the thigh, congenital/infantile fibrosarcomas affect chiefly the distal portions of the extremities. Standard treatment is primarily wide surgical excision. Chemotherapy may be given as neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment in order to avoid the morbidity associated with wide excision. In this case report we present our experience of a newborn affected by congenital/infantile fibrosarcoma of the left thigh.