Peter J. Stern

Severe open fractures of the tibia.

Sixty-two Type-III open fractures of the tibial shaft are reported on. Eleven were Type IIIA, and three of them had non-union while none were associated with deep infection or required secondary amputation. Forty-two were Type IIIB, and fifteen of them had non-union, twelve were associated with deep infection, and seven required secondary amputation. However, in the twenty-four Type-IIIB fractures that were treated with early restoration of the damaged soft tissue by local flaps or free tissue transfer, the rate of complications was significantly reduced to five non-unions, two deep infections, and two secondary amputations. Unfortunately, of the nine Type-IIIC injuries, seven ultimately required secondary amputation, from two days to sixty-three months after the initial injury, because of pain, sepsis, non-union, or failure of the vascular repair. Only two patients who had a Type-IIIC fracture have avoided amputation to date, and their results were poor.

Motion-preserving procedures in the treatment of scapholunate advanced collapse wrist: Proximal row carpectomy versus four-corner arthrodesis*

Seventeen patients were treated with scaphoid excision and four-corner arthrodesis (lunate, capitate, hamate, triquetrum) for scapholunate advanced collapse wrist and followed for a mean of 27 months. Eleven wrists in 10 patients had a proximal row carpectomy for scapholunate advanced collapse wrist and were followed for a mean of 37 months. The total arc of motion averaged 95 degrees in the four-corner arthrodesis patients and 115 degrees in the proximal row carpectomy patients, which was 47% and 64%, respectively, of the range of motion of the opposite wrist. Grip strength averaged 74% of the opposite wrist in the four-corner arthrodesis group and 94% in the proximal row carpectomy group. Three wrists in the four-corner arthrodesis group failed and were successfully converted to a total wrist fusion; two additional patients were awaiting arthrodesis. There were no failures in the proximal row carpectomy group. Proximal row carpectomy showed a high degree of patient satisfaction and is our motion-preserving procedure of choice except in those wrists with advanced capitolunate arthritis.

Complications and range of motion following plate fixation of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures

Eighty-two patients with 105 metacarpal and/or phalangeal fractures stabilized with plates were retrospectively reviewed to assess complications and outcomes. Despite stable fixation and early mobilization, major complications were encountered in 36% of fractures, especially with phalangeal and open fractures. Complications included stiffness, nonunion, plate prominence, infection, and tendon rupture. Forty-eight of 63 (76%) metacarpal fractures and 44 of 66 (67%) closed fractures had a final range of motion greater than 220 degrees; however, only 4 of 37 (11%) phalangeal fractures and 8 of 34 (24%) open fractures achieved this outcome. Despite technical advances in plate design and instrumentation, including lower-profile titanium plates, complications occur commonly with metacarpal and phalangeal fractures, leading to a high incidence of unsatisfactory results. We do not condemn plate fixation, and attribute many of our unsatisfactory results to the frequent use of plates in open and phalangeal fractures.

Metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty in rheumatoid arthritis a long-term assessment

BACKGROUND The long-term results of silicone metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis are uncertain. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the subjective, objective, and radiographic outcomes at the time of long-term follow-up. METHODS Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who underwent simultaneous silicone metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasties of all four fingers by one surgeon were eligible for inclusion in the study. The results of a total of 208 arthroplasties in fifty-two hands of thirty-six patients were evaluated at an average of fourteen years postoperatively. Active metacarpophalangeal joint motion, ulnar drift, and radiographs were assessed. The radiographs were reviewed for changes in bone length, erosions, and implant fractures. The Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) was administered to the patients. RESULTS The mean arc of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joints improved from 30 degrees preoperatively to 46 degrees immediately after the surgery but decreased to 36 degrees at the time of final follow-up. The mean extension deficit of the metacarpophalangeal joints improved from 57 degrees preoperatively to 11 degrees immediately after the surgery but worsened to 23 degrees at the time of final follow-up. The mean ulnar drift improved from 26 degrees preoperatively to <5 degrees in the immediate postoperative period and then recurred to an average of 16 degrees at the time of final follow-up. Implant fractures were associated with increased ulnar drift (p < 0.001). Bone reaction adjacent to the implant was demonstrated by bone-shortening in most patients and by erosions in 29% of the patients. One hundred and thirty implants (63%) were broken and forty-five (22%) more were deformed at the time of final follow-up. The MHQ score averaged 48 of 100 points. The patients expressed satisfaction with the function of only 38% of the hands, and only 27% of the hands were pain-free at the time of final follow-up. A greater degree of ulnar drift was associated with decreased patient satisfaction and a decreased score for the cosmetic appearance (p </= 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The outcome after silicone metacarpophalangeal joint arthroplasty in patients with rheumatoid arthritis worsens with long-term follow-up. Given these findings, the indications for and long-term expectations of silicone metacarpophalangeal arthroplasty must be carefully examined in light of the improvements in the medical management of rheumatoid disease.

Complications and prognosis of treatment of mallet finger

This study reviews complications of treatment in 123 mallet fingers treated operatively and nonoperatively. In the 84 digits splinted there was a 45% rate of complications, mostly skin related; however, these complications were almost always transient. For the 45 surgically treated digits the complication rate was 53%, with 76% of these complications still present at a mean follow-up of 38 months. Six digits treated initially with splinting (minimum of 6 weeks) and later with surgery were included in both groups. Major complications in the patients undergoing surgery included deep infection (4%), joint incongruity (18%), and nail deformity (18%). In addition, seven patients (16%) required reoperation, and all of these had an unsatisfactory result except that in one finger the outcome was unknown.

Proximal row carpectomy: Study with a minimum of ten years of follow-up

BACKGROUND Proximal row carpectomy is an accepted motion-sparing surgical procedure for the treatment of degenerative conditions of the wrist. However, there is little information regarding the long-term clinical and radiographic results following this procedure. METHODS Twenty-two wrists in twenty-one patients underwent proximal row carpectomy for the treatment of degenerative arthritis between 1980 and 1992. Objective and subjective function was assessed after a minimum duration of follow-up of ten years (average, fourteen years). RESULTS There were four failures (18%) requiring fusion at an average of seven years. All four failures occurred in patients who were thirty-five years of age or less at the time of the proximal row carpectomy (p = 0.03). The wrists that did not fail had an average flexion-extension arc of 72 degrees , associated with an average grip strength of 91% of that on the contralateral side. The patients were very satisfied with fourteen of the eighteen wrists that did not fail and were satisfied with the remaining four. The patients rated nine wrists as not painful, four as mildly painful, five as moderately painful, and none as severely painful. The average Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 9 points. Radiographs revealed no loss of the radiocapitate space in three of the seventeen wrists for which radiographs were made, reduced space in seven, and complete loss of the space in seven. With the numbers available, there was no significant association between loss of joint space seen on radiographs and subjective and objective function. CONCLUSIONS At the time of long-term follow-up, all patients older than thirty-five years of age at the time of a proximal row carpectomy had maintained a satisfactory range of motion, grip strength, and pain relief and were satisfied with the result. Caution should be exercised in performing the procedure in patients younger than thirty-five years of age. Although degeneration of the radiocapitate joint was seen radiographically in fourteen of the seventeen wrists, it did not preclude a successful clinical result.

Treatment of unstable dorsal proximal interphalangeal fracture/dislocations using a hemi-hamate autograft.

PURPOSE This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of a hemi-hamate autograft for the treatment of comminuted dorsal proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint fracture/dislocations. METHODS Thirteen consecutive patients underwent hemi-hamate autograft for the treatment of an unstable dorsal PIP fracture dislocation. The fractured middle phalangeal base was debrided and the defect was replaced using a size-matched portion of the dorsal/distal hamate osteoarticular surface and was secured with miniscrews. The average middle phalangeal volar lip involvement on initial radiographs was 60% (range, 40% to 80%). The average time to surgery was 45 days (range, 2-175 d). Range of motion, stability, and grip strength were measured at a mean follow-up evaluation of 16 months. Radiographs were evaluated for union, graft incorporation, and/or collapse. Subjective data, satisfaction, and return to work were obtained on 12 of the 13 patients at a mean follow-up evaluation of 17 months. RESULTS The average arc of motion at the PIP joint was 85 degrees (range, 65 degrees to 100 degrees ). The distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint average arc of motion was 60 degrees (range, 35 degrees to 80 degrees ). Average grip strength was 80% of the uninjured side. Bony union was achieved in all patients. One graft showed ulnar collapse but graft resorption was not noted. Except for 2 patients with recurrent dorsal subluxation there were no complications. The average pain level was 1.3 (as rated on a visual analog scale of 0-10). Eleven of 12 patients were very satisfied with their function and one was somewhat satisfied; one patient was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS When greater than 50% of the volar base of the middle phalanx is fractured in a PIP fracture/dislocation or the joint remains unstable despite a lesser degree of involvement, a hemi-hamate autograft should be considered. This procedure reconstructs the cup-shaped contour of the middle phalangeal articular surface and facilitates a stable, functional arc of motion at the PIP joint. Additionally, in our experience the procedure renders minimal disability and has a low complication rate.

Thumb Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis: Arthrodesis Compared with Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition

Background: There has been considerable controversy regarding the procedure of choice for treatment of any given stage of osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint. This study was designed to directly compare the clinical results of two common surgical procedures for this condition, trapeziometacarpal arthrodesis and trapezial excision with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition, in similar patient populations. Methods: Between 1988 and 1998, 109 patients (141 thumbs) who were less than sixty years old were treated with one of the two procedures. In a retrospective review, forty‐two patients (fifty‐eight thumbs) treated with arthrodesis completed an outcome questionnaire and twenty‐nine patients (forty‐four thumbs) treated with arthrodesis completed the questionnaire and were examined. In the group treated with trapezial excision with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition, thirty‐nine patients (forty‐nine thumbs) completed the questionnaire and thirty patients (thirty‐eight thumbs) completed the questionnaire and were examined. The average duration of follow-up was sixty‐nine months. The groups were similar with regard to age, gender, hand dominance, and duration of follow‐up. Results: Subjective evaluation of pain, function, and satisfaction demonstrated no significant difference between the two groups, with >90% of patients satisfied following either procedure. Although grip strength did not differ between the groups, the arthrodesis group had significantly stronger lateral pinch (p < 0.001) and chuck pinch (p < 0.01). The group treated with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition had a better range of motion with regard to opposition (p < 0.05) and the ability to flatten the hand (p < 0.0001). There was a higher complication rate in the arthrodesis group, with nonunion of the fusion site accounting for the majority of the complications. However, despite a persistent nonunion in six thumbs, those thumbs and the thumbs in which union was obtained did not differ with regard to pain; all of the patients with nonunion had improvement in their pain status compared with preoperatively, and all were very satisfied with the outcome. Peritrapezial arthritis developed in nine patients (fourteen thumbs). This finding was not related to age and did not affect overall pain, function, or satisfaction. Conclusions: Although traditionally arthrodesis and ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition have been indicated in two different patient populations, we compared them in a homogeneous group and found that the two procedures had similar results with regard to pain, function, and satisfaction despite minimal differences in strength and motion. Although complications were more frequent following arthrodesis, most did not affect the overall outcome.

FRACTURE DISLOCATIONS OF THE PROXIMAL INTERPHALANGEAL JOINT

Fracture dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint may occur by several different mechanisms of injury and are of 3 basic fracture patterns: palmar lip fractures, dorsal lip fractures, and pilon fractures. Proper treatment of these injuries is predicated on maintenance of concentric reduction of the joint, restoration of joint stability, and institution of early motion. Anatomic reconstitution of the articular surface, though ideal, is less important. Many methods are available to treat these injuries. Understanding the fracture within the context of a stability-based classification system helps to guide in the selection of the most appropriate treatment. Copyright

Complications of plate fixation in the hand skeleton.

Plate fixation of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures is designed to provide rigid internal fixation in order to facilitate early motion and thereby minimize joint and tendon complications. In a series of plate fixations, 16 of 38 (42%) of proximal phalangeal and metacarpal shaft fractures developed complications of stiffness, malunion, nonunion, and tendon rupture. Complications occurred more frequently for phalangeal than for metacarpal fractures and more frequently when there were associated bone or soft tissue injuries. The technique is demanding and secondary procedures are frequently required.