Mary Ann Keenan

Clinical results of the excision of heterotopic bone around the elbow: a systematic review

BACKGROUNDnHeterotopic ossification (HO) of the elbow can occur following direct trauma, brain injury, or burns. Development of elbow HO is sporadic, making levels 1-3 clinical evidence difficult to establish. We systematically reviewed literature regarding management and outcomes of surgically treated elbow HO.nnnMETHODSnA systematic review of the literature regarding elbow HO was performed to compare imaging modalities, surgical timing, surgical approaches, and methods of prophylaxis in outcomes of patients treated with excision.nnnRESULTSnOur systematic review included 24 level 3 or 4 studies investigating 384 post-trauma (158), brain injury (105), or burn (94) patients with elbows complicated by HO that were treated with surgical excision. Average patient age was 36.9 years and there was a 65/35 M/F ratio. For all etiologies, preoperatively elbow flexion/extension averaged 53/83; postoperatively elbow flexion/extension significantly improved to 22/123. Regardless of the etiology, surgical excision of elbow HO significantly improved functional range of motion. Neither total body surface area (TBSA) burned for burn patients or Garland classification for brain-injured patients correlated with outcome. Overall complication rate was 22.6% and included HO recurrence (11.9%), ulnar nerve injury, infection, and delayed wound healing.nnnCONCLUSIONnSurgical treatment of elbow HO leads to improved functional outcome, whether the etiology of bone formation was direct elbow trauma, brain injury, or thermal injury.

What's New in Orthopaedic Rehabilitation.

Orthopaedic rehabilitation is a subspecialty that involves the care of patients who have complex musculoskeletal problems that are often global in nature and stretch beyond the function of one joint. Rehabilitation combines biomechanics and biology in a unique manner that focuses on improving the patient’s functional outcome and overall well-being. As a result, the principles espoused by this field are relevant to every orthopaedic surgeon’s practice. This specialty update highlights presentations and advances in several areas of orthopaedic rehabilitation discussed at meetings of the Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Association, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), and other specialty organizations over the past year. Notable studies and abstract presentations are also summarized.

Fixation Techniques for Split Anterior Tibialis Transfer in Spastic Equinovarus Feet

Equinovarus of the foot is the most common lower extremity deformity following traumatic brain injury. We evaluated outcomes of the split anterior tibialis tendon transfer (SPLATT) for correction of equinovarus in 47 patients with hemiplegic traumatic brain injury and specifically studied differences in outcomes with two tendon fixation techniques. Seventeen patients constituting Group I underwent fixation with one technique and 30 constituting Group II had another technique. Patients in both groups had appropriate procedures based on dynamic electromyography and gait analyses. Both groups were demographically comparable. All 47 feet were corrected to plantigrade position. Thirty-six of 47 patients became brace-free at final followup. There was a notable decrease in the use of ambulatory aids and ambulatory status improved in both groups. There were three fixation-related complications in Group I and none in Group II. Surgical correction of the spastic equinovarus with SPLATT, in the appropriate patient, with or without associated tendon procedures helps to achieve and maintain correction, improves the ambulatory status of the patient, and eliminates the need for bracing in as much as 77% of patients. We recommend the Group II construct owing to the considerably lower complication rate.Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Muscle releases to improve passive motion and relieve pain in patients with spastic hemiplegia and elbow flexion contractures

INTRODUCTIONnPatients with spastic hemiplegia after upper motor neuron (UMN) injury can develop elbow contractures. This study evaluated outcomes of elbow releases in treating spastic elbow flexion contractures in hemiplegic patients.nnnMETHODSnAdults with spastic hemiplegia due to UMN injury who underwent elbow releases (brachialis, brachioradialis, and biceps muscles) were included. Nonoperative treatment was unsuccessful in all patients. Patients complained of difficulty with passive functions. Passive range of motion (ROM), painxa0relief, Modified Ashworth spasticity score, and complications were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively.nnnRESULTSnThere were 8 men and 21 women with an average age of 52.4 years (range, 24.1-81.4 years). Seventeen patients had pain preoperatively. Postoperative follow-up was a mean of 1.7 years (range, 1-4.5 years). Preoperatively, patients lacked a mean of 78° of passive elbow extension compared with 17° postoperatively (P < .001). The Modified Ashworth spasticity score improved from 3.3 to 1.4 (Pxa0= .001). All patients with preoperative pain had improved pain relief, and 16 (94%) were pain-free. There were 3 wound complications that resolved nonsurgically and 1 recurrence. Age, sex, etiology, and chronicity of UMN injury were not associated with improvement in motion or pain relief (P > .05).nnnCONCLUSIONnReleases of the brachialis, brachioradialis, and biceps muscles can be an effective means of pain relief, improved passive ROM, and decreased spasticity in patients with elbow flexion deformity after UMN injury.

Rectus Femoris to Gracilis Muscle Transfer With Fractional Lengthening of the Vastus Muscles: A Treatment for Adults With Stiff Knee Gait

Background Stiff knee gait, which may be seen in patients with upper motor neuron injury, describes a gait pattern with a relative loss of sagittal knee motion. It interferes with foot clearance during swing, often leading to inefficient compensatory mechanisms and ambulatory dysfunction. Distal rectus femoris muscle transfers and fractional lengthening of the vastus muscles have been performed in adult patients. Objective The purpose of this study was to describe a unique surgical technique and report on initial outcomes. Design A retrospective case-series study design was used. Methods The patients were adults with stiff knee gait due to stroke or traumatic brain injury who underwent distal rectus femoris muscle transfer with fractional lengthening of the vastus muscles. The patients (19 men and 18 women) had an average age of 51 years at the time of surgery. Lower-extremity examinations, clinical gait analyses, and satisfaction levels were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively. Results At a mean follow-up time of 10 months, 36 (97%) of the 37 patients were satisfied with their clinical and functional results, and the average Viosca score improved from 3.1 to 3.5. Limitations Limitations of the study include use of a retrospective design, lack of a control group, and limited quantitative measures of gait. Conclusion Distal rectus femoris muscle transfer and fractional lengthening of the vastus muscles were found to be a possible treatment for adults with stiff-knee gait caused by stroke or traumatic brain injury.

Outcomes of tendon fractional lengthenings to improve shoulder function in patients with spastic hemiparesis

BACKGROUNDnPatients with spastic hemiparesis after upper motor neuron (UMN) injury often exhibit limited shoulder movement. We evaluated the outcomes of shoulder tendon fractional lengthenings in patients with spasticity and preserved volitional control.nnnMETHODSnA consecutive series of 34 adults with spastic hemiparesis from UMN injury (23 post-stroke, 11 post-traumatic brain injury) and limited shoulder movement with preserved volitional motor control who underwent shoulder tendon fractional lengthenings (pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, teres major) were evaluated. Active and passive shoulder motion, spasticity, pain, and satisfaction were considered pre- and postoperatively.nnnRESULTSnThere were 15 males and 19 females with a mean age of 44.1 years. Mean follow-up was 12.2 months. Mean Modified Ashworth spasticity score was 2.4 preoperatively compared to 1.9 postoperatively (P = .001). Active flexion, abduction, and external rotation improved compared to the normal contralateral side (P < .001) with most dramatic gains in external rotation. Similarly, passive extension, flexion, abduction, and external rotation improved compared to the normal contralateral side (P < .01). Ninety-four percent (15/16) with preoperative pain had improved pain relief postoperatively with 14 (88%) being pain-free. Thirty-one (92%) were satisfied with the outcome.nnnCONCLUSIONnShoulder tendon lengthenings can be an effective means of pain-relief, improved motion, enhanced active motor function, and decreased spasticity in patients with spastic hemiparesis from UMN injury.

Shoulder tenotomies to improve passive motion and relieve pain in patients with spastic hemiplegia after upper motor neuron injury

HYPOTHESISnShoulder adduction and internal rotation contractures commonly develop in patients with spastic hemiplegia after upper motor neuron (UMN) injury. Contractures are often painful, macerate skin, and impair axillary hygiene. We hypothesize that shoulder tenotomies are an effective means of pain relief and passive motion restoration in patients without active upper extremity motor function.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnA consecutive series of 36 adults (10 men, 26 women) with spastic hemiplegia from UMN injury, shoulder adduction, and internal rotation contractures, and no active movement, who underwent shoulder tenotomies of the pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, teres major, and subscapularis were evaluated. Patients were an average age of 52.2 years. Pain, passive motion, and satisfaction were considered preoperatively and postoperatively.nnnRESULTSnAverage follow-up was 14.3 months. Preoperatively, all patients had limited passive motion that interfered with passive functions. Nineteen patients had pain. After surgery, passive extension, flexion, abduction, and external rotation improved from 50%, 27%, 27%, and 1% to 85%, 70%, 66%, and 56%, respectively, compared with the normal contralateral side (P < .001). All patients with preoperative pain had improved pain relief at follow-up, with 18 (95%) being pain-free. Thirty-five (97%) were satisfied with the outcome of surgery, and all patients reported improved axillary hygiene and skin care. Age, gender, etiology, and chronicity of UMN injury were not associated with improvement in motion.nnnDISCUSSIONnWe observed improvements in passive ROM and high patient satisfaction with surgery at early follow-up. Patients who had pain with passive motion preoperatively had significant improvements in pain after shoulder tenotomy.nnnCONCLUSIONnShoulder tenotomy to relieve spastic contractures resulting from UMN injury can be an effective means of pain relief and improved passive range of motion in patients without active motor function.

Outcomes of the biceps suspension procedure for painful inferior glenohumeral subluxation in hemiplegic patients.

BACKGROUNDnPatients with upper motor neuron injury can develop painful inferior glenohumeral subluxation with functional impairment. If the pain is relieved by manual reduction of the subluxation, this pain is considered mechanical in nature and potentially amenable to surgical treatment to maintain this reduction. The purpose of this study was to report our outcomes with use of the biceps suspension procedure to achieve shoulder joint reduction and pain relief in hemiplegic patients.nnnMETHODSnThis retrospective case series of eleven consecutive hemiplegic patients with painful glenohumeral subluxation underwent surgical reduction with a biceps suspension procedure. Seven patients had, in addition, extra-articular tenotomies to treat coexisting muscular contractures. Pain, physical examination findings, and radiographs were evaluated before and after surgery. Patient satisfaction with the outcome of the surgery was determined as well.nnnRESULTSnThe mean duration of the patient follow-up was 3.2 years (range, 2.0 to 5.8 years). The average patient age was 46.9 years (range, eighteen to eighty-one years). Ten of the patients were female. All patients had pain with passive shoulder motion preoperatively, but only one patient had such pain postoperatively (p < 0.001). At the time of follow-up after the surgery, the mean score for pain on a visual analog scale was 1.45 (range, 0 to 5), with all patients noting a decrease in pain. Ten patients noted that deformity was also decreased at the time of follow-up. All patients had a sulcus sign on physical examination preoperatively, but only three had such a sign postoperatively (p < 0.001). The seven patients who had undergone shoulder tenotomies had significant improvements in shoulder extension (p = 0.009), forward elevation (p = 0.030), abduction (p = 0.040), and external rotation (p = 0.043) postoperatively. Ten patients were satisfied with the outcome of the surgery. Preoperative radiographs demonstrated inferior subluxation of the humeral head at the glenohumeral joint in all patients. Postoperatively, ten patients had an improved glenohumeral joint position, and nine of these patients had complete reduction of the humeral head.nnnCONCLUSIONSnBiceps suspension surgery can provide pain relief in hemiplegic patients with painful subluxation of the humeral head after upper motor neuron injury. Tenotomy of contracted muscles around the shoulder can improve passive shoulder motion in patients with spastic hemiplegia. Following surgery, there were high rates of glenohumeral reduction and patient satisfaction.

Surgery Can Reduce the Nonoperative Care Associated with an Equinovarus Foot Deformity

AbstractEquinovarus is the most common lower extremity deformity seen after a stroke. Despite its frequency, there are no specific guidelines in determining when surgery should be considered and for which patients it is appropriate. We evaluated the charges of nonsurgical and surgical treatments for equinovarus foot in 29 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for a unilateral equinovarus deformity after stroke. Twenty-six patients (seven males, 19 females) were available for followup. Mean patient age at the time of stroke was 48.2xa0years (range, 3–66xa0years). The average age at surgery was 54.7xa0years (range, 23–72xa0years), with a mean duration of nonsurgical treatment of 74.7xa0months. The minimum followup was 6xa0months following surgery (mean, 18.2xa0months; range, 6–48xa0months). Physical therapy accounted for 88% of nonoperative charges, with chemodenervation and orthotics accounting for 10% and 2%, respectively. Postoperatively, 19 patients were able to discontinue physical therapy compared with none preoperatively, and 17 discontinued orthotic use. Surgical correction of the equinovarus foot, in the appropriate patient, can decrease the use of nonoperative care for a patient who has had a stroke. We recommend surgery be considered earlier when an equinovarus deformity persists after the period of spontaneous neurologic recovery.n Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Orthopedic Evaluation and Surgical Treatment of the Spastic Shoulder

The spastic shoulder can often result from brain injury that causes disruption in the upper motor neuron inhibitory pathways. Patients develop dyssynergic muscle activation, muscle weakness, and contractures and often present with fixed adduction and internal rotation deformity to the limb. This article reviews the importance of a comprehensive preoperative evaluation and discusses appropriate treatment strategies based on preoperative evaluation.