John T. Capo

Hinged elbow external fixators: indications and uses.

Abstract Hinged external fixation of the elbow joint can play an important role in managing complicated fracture‐dislocations, joint instability after extensive contracture release, and distraction interposition arthroplasty. Application of these devices requires accurate alignment of the fixator axis with the anatomic axis of the elbow. The primary therapeutic goal is to allow joint motion while protecting the healing ligaments. Common complications include pin loosening, injury to adjacent neurovascular structures, cellulitis, and loss of reduction. Although reported data are limited, this technique is a useful adjunct in patients with complex elbow instability.

Effects of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs on Flexor Tendon Adhesion

PURPOSEnBesides its anti-inflammatory effects, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy may affect tendon healing and the development of peritendinous adhesions. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of nonselective (ibuprofen) and COX-2 selective (rofecoxib) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the adhesion formation after tendon repair.nnnMETHODSnWe assigned 67 rabbits to one of 3 (placebo, ibuprofen, or rofecoxib) groups. The deep flexor tendon was transected, followed by a primary repair. Dosing of the medication began the day after surgery and continued for 27 days. The animals were immobilized in a cast for the first 14 days. Postoperatively, tendon adhesion formation was assessed histologically by calculating the total adhesion in serial axial tendon sections at 3 and 6 weeks and by range of motion measurements at 6 and 12 weeks. We measured range of motion by fixing the metacarpal, applying increasing weight to the free end of the flexor digitorum profundus, and measuring the flexion angle between the metacarpal and the proximal phalanx. Comparison was performed between the treatment groups, as well as to the unoperated forepaws.nnnRESULTSnBased on histology, we found no difference between the treatment groups when determining the percentage of adhesion between the flexor tendon and its sheath. Control unoperated forepaws had a significantly greater range of metacarpophalangeal joint flexion than the surgically repaired groups. At 12 weeks, range of motion in the ibuprofen group was significantly better than the placebo (p=.009) and rofecoxib (p=.009) groups.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIbuprofen has a more important effect in limiting adhesion formation compared with rofecoxib after flexor tendon repair. Because ibuprofen inhibits both COX-1 and COX-2, whereas rofecoxib only inhibits COX-2, ibuprofen therapy appears to offer a greater beneficial effect on tendon repair by reducing formation of adhesions.

A comparison of the effects of ibuprofen and rofecoxib on rabbit fibula osteotomy healing

Background and purpose Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, which is the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of prostaglandins. Previous studies have indicated that NSAID therapy, and in particular NSAIDs that specifically target the inflammatory cyclooxygenase (COX-2), impair bone healing. We compared the effects of ibuprofen and rofecoxib on fibula osteotomy healing in rabbits to determine whether nominal, continuous inhibition of COX-2 with rofecoxib would differentially affect fracture healing more than cyclical inhibition of COX-2 using ibuprofen, which inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 and has a short half-life in vivo. Methods Bilateral fibula osteotomies were done in 67 skeletally mature male New Zealand white rabbits. The rabbits were treated with placebo, rofecoxib (12.5 mg once a day), or ibuprofen (50 mg 3 times a day) for 28 days after surgery. Plasma ibuprofen levels were measured by HPLC analysis. Bone healing was assessed by histomorphometry at 3 and 6 weeks after osteotomy, and at 6 and 12 weeks by torsional mechanical testing. Results Plasma ibuprofen levels peaked and declined between successive doses. Fracture callus morphology was abnormal in the rofecoxib-treated rabbits and torsional mechanical testing showed that fracture healing was impaired. Ibuprofen treatment caused persistence of cartilage within the fracture callus and reduced peak torque at 6 weeks after osteotomy as compared to the fibulas from the placebo-treated rabbits. In the specimens allowed to progress to possible healing, non-union was seen in 5 of the 26 fibulas from the rofecoxib-treated animals as compared to 1 of 24 in the placebo group and 1 of 30 in the ibuprofen treatment group. Interpretation Continuous COX-2 inhibition as modeled by rofecoxib treatment appears to be more deleterious to fracture repair than cyclical cyclooxygenase inhibition as modeled by ibuprofen treatment. Ibuprofen treatment appeared to delay bone healing based upon the persistence of cartilage within the fracture callus and diminished shear modulus. Despite the ibuprofen-induced delay, rofecoxib treatment produced worse fracture (osteotomy) healing than ibuprofen treatment.

Comparative Analysis of Intramedullary Nail Fixation Versus Casting for Treatment of Distal Radius Fractures

PURPOSEnIntramedullary fixation is one treatment option for distal radius fractures. Our purpose was to compare the outcomes of intramedullary nailing to those of casting for these injuries.nnnMETHODSnFrom 2006 to 2009, we reviewed 63 adult patients with isolated distal radius fractures. Thirty-one patients had surgical fixation with an intramedullary device (IMN group) within 4 weeks of the injury, and 32 (cast group) had casting as definitive treatment of the fracture. Clinical outcomes (grip strength; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand scores; active wrist range of motion; and complications) and radiographic indices (radial inclination, radial height, ulnar variance, and tilt) of both groups were analyzed for the 1-, 2-, 4-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up periods.nnnRESULTSnThe flexion-extension arc was significantly higher in the IMN group than in the cast group at 2-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. The IMN group exhibited significantly greater grip strength and lower DASH scores throughout the follow-up period. At final follow-up, all radiographic indices were significantly better in the IMN group than in the cast group. There was no significant difference between the initial reduction to final position in the IMN group, but the cast group showed an increase in ulnar variance and a significant change in dorsal-volar tilt. In addition, the cast group experienced more clinical complications in the delayed period compared to the IMN group.nnnCONCLUSIONSnIntramedullary nail fixation, as compared to casting, results in less functional disability, not only in the early postoperative period but also up to a year after treatment. On the basis of our data, intramedullary fixation should be considered for patients with unstable extra-articular or simple intra-articular distal radius fractures.

Osteochondral Autografting for Acute Articular Defect of the Metacarpal Head: Case Report

Osteochondral injuries in the hand are common. The small size of the joints and associated articular surfaces make repair of these injuries difficult. Osteochondral autografting has been described in the knee for some time and has recently been reported for hand injuries. We describe the use of an osteochondral graft taken from the dorsal nonarticular portion of the metacarpal head for a defect in the metacarpophalangeal joint surface.

Proximal carpal row dislocation: a case report

Carpal dislocations commonly occur as the result of high-energy axial loading of the forearm with the wrist extended. There exists several variants of carpal dislocations with the most commonly observed being those about the lunate. Perilunate dislocations and fracture dislocations were first characterized by Mayfield in 1980 and represent a spectrum of traumatic carpal dislocation beginning radial and progressing to the ulnar side of the wrist (Mayfield et al. J Hand Surg [Am] 5:226–241, 1980). The path of energy takes a predictable pattern around the lunate from the scapho-lunate ligament, into the mid-carpal joint and then to the luno-triquetral joint. The final stage is volar dislocation of the lunate into the carpal canal. These complex fracture dislocations are unstable and require operative fixation through open reduction and with internal fixation (Herzberg et al. J Hand Surg [Am] 18:768–779, 1993; Adkison and Chapman Clin Orthop Rel Res 164:199–207, 1982). Other types of carpal dislocations have been described; however, these are much less frequently encountered (Green and O’Brien Clin Orthop Rel Res 149:55–72, 1980; Irwin et al. J Hand Surg [Br] 20B:746–749, 1995; Rosado J Bone Joint Surg 48B:504–506, 1966). These also include mid-carpal instability and longitudinal (axial) instability and have been described extensively in the literature (Norbeck et al. J Hand Surg 12A:509–514, 1987; Primiano and Reef J Bone Joint Surg 56A:328–332, 1974; Garcia-Elias et al. J Hand Surg 14A:446–457, 1989; Taleisnik Hand Clinics 3:51–68, 1987). Carpal instabilities can be characterized as dissociative which disrupt joints within a carpal row, or as non-dissociative which have dislocations or subluxations between carpal rows (Dobyns and Cooney 1998). We report a case of complex carpal injury non-dissociative involving dislocation of the entire proximal carpal row volarly. To our knowledge such a variation of complex carpal dislocation has not been reported. This injury represents yet another possible variant encountered when treating high-energy injuries to the wrist.

Triquetral autograft for restoration of the lunate fossa of the distal radius: a case report

Intra-articular fractures of the distal radius are common injuries. They are often the result of high-energy trauma in younger patients or falls in the elderly with osteopenia. While these injuries are difficult to treat, there are a variety of techniques that can be effectively used based on the pattern of fracture. Closed reduction and casting is sufficient for minor injuries, whereas external fixation, open reduction and internal fixation, pinning, bone grafting, or a combination of these techniques is indicated for more severe injuries. If there are bone or soft-tissue defects from open or penetrating injuries, then tissue grafting may also be necessary. Severe difficulties in treatment can be caused by loss of portions of the articular surface of the carpal bones or the distal radius. We present a case of a patient with a gunshot wound that resulted in a distal radius fracture with an unreconstructable lunate facet that was treated with a local osteochondral autograft.