Randall W. Culp

Proximal row carpectomy: A multicenter study

Twenty patients underwent proximal row carpectomy and were retrospectively evaluated for pain, motion, grip strength, functional activity, and x-ray changes at a mean follow-up of 3 1/2 years. For nonrheumatoid patients, motion decreased 15% after surgery, mean grip strength improved 22%, and 82% believed their conditions were improved and said they would repeat the procedure. The procedure failed in all three patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Patients with mild preoperative arthritic changes had better results than those with advanced disease.

Palmar midcarpal instability : results of surgical reconstruction

We reviewed the cases of 13 patients who underwent 15 surgical procedures for palmar midcarpal instability from 1981 to 1989. Six patients had a limited midcarpal arthrodesis, and nine patients had one of four different soft tissue reconstructive procedures. One hundred percent clinical follow-up was obtained at an average of 48 months. All six of the limited midcarpal arthrodeses were successful. Six of the nine soft tissue reconstructions failed. However, one procedure, a distal advancement of the ulnar arm of the arcuate ligament combined with a dorsal capsulodesis, restored stability in three of five wrists. We concluded that patients with palmar midcarpal instability may have significant disability that may be refractory to nonsurgical management. Limited midcarpal arthrodesis provides definitive treatment.

Wide excision of the distal ulna: A multicenter case study

Excision of the distal ulna to treat degenerative disease or instability has fallen into disfavor following reports of radioulnar impingement, carpal instability, and distal ulnar instability. Alternative procedures for reconstruction of the painful distal ulna have been developed to address these problems; the results have been generally favorable. When faced with distal ulnar reconstruction that has failed after multiple surgical procedures, or a distal ulnar neoplasm, the surgeon is left with few treatment options. Creation of a one-bone forearm, free fibular transfer, and allograft replacement have been attempted, with mixed outcomes. We report the results of 5 men and 7 women who underwent wide excision of the distal ulna, defined as surgical excision of 25% to 50% of the ulnar length. The diagnosis was failed distal radioulnar reconstruction or excision in 8 patients, osteomyelitis in 1, congenital pseudoarthrosis of the radius in 1, and neoplasm in 2. No soft tissue reconstruction was performed. Patients were examined at an average of 22 months after surgery for radiocarpal and radioulnar instability, functional outcome, pain relief, grip strength, and range of motion. Nine of the 12 procedures resulted in good or excellent results; 1 patient had a fair result after resection for osteosarcoma, and the procedure in 2 patients failed, requiring conversion to a one-bone forearm. Grip strength was restored to 75% of the normal side and range of motion was restored to 86% of the normal side. Wide excision of the distal ulna without soft tissue reconstruction is a simple and durable treatment of neoplasms of the distal ulna or salvage of the failed reconstruction of the distal radioulnar joint. We do not recommend its use in patients with incompetency or disruption of the interosseous membrane.

Interosseous Membrane Reconstruction for the Essex-Lopresti Injury

The Essex-Lopresti lesion, or radioulnar longitudinal dissociation, results from an axial load to the forearm with injury to the radial head and disruption of the interosseous membrane and the distal radioulnar joint. Unfortunately, an appreciation of the true extent of injury is not always realized in the acute setting, and patients present later with persistent or new reports of forearm discomfort and wrist and elbow pain. Reconstruction of the central band of the interosseous membrane with a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft is useful in the chronic setting and is described.

Reconstruction of the scapholunate ligament in a cadaver model using a bone-ligament-bone autograft from the foot

This study is an investigation of a new procedure in which the scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) is reconstructed using a bone-ligament-bone autograft from the foot. After investigation, the dorsal medial portion of the navicular-first cuneiform ligament (NFCL) was chosen for testing as a potential donor since it is similar in length and thickness to the SLIL and it is easily harvested with minimal potential donor site morbidity. Eight SLILs and NFCLs were harvested from fresh-frozen cadavers. Biomechanical extensometry testing was performed using an Instron 1000 machine. A 5-mm-wide central portion of the NFCL was tested since this width was compatible with the technical aspects of reconstructing the SLIL. Both ligaments were tested for elastic properties, including stiffness, load to failure, and deformation to failure. Mean length of the NFCL was 7.6 mm (range, 5.5-8.5 mm). Stiffness of the NFCL was 10.6 x 10(5) Nm (range, 8.0-13.0 Nm) compared with 14.4 x 10(5) Nm for the SLIL (range, 10.0-19.5 Nm). Peak load to failure for the NFCL was 1,980 N (range, 1,530-2,940 N) compared with 2,940 N for the SLIL (range, 1,780-4,050 N). Total elongation to failure for the NFCL was 2.50 mm (range, 1.7-3.2 mm) compared with 3.2 mm for the SLIL (range, 2.1-5.2 mm). Thus, the biomechanical characteristics of the NFCL were found to be very similar to those of the SLIL. Having established the biomechanical similarities of the 2 ligaments, we are currently using the NFCL to reconstruct the sectioned SLIL in a fresh-frozen cadaver model. Early results suggest that this procedure is feasible for restoration of normal kinematics of the wrist.

Indirect wrist MR arthrography: the effects of passive motion versus active exercise

Abstract Purpose.In the wrist, to determine whether passive motion or active exercise yields a better indirect MR arthrographic effect following intravenous gadolinium administration. Design and patients. Twenty-six consecutive patients were studied by indirect wrist MR arthrography. In half active exercise and in half passive motion was performed. Four regions of interest were studied including the distal radioulnar joint, the radiocarpal joint, the midcarpal joint, and the triangular fibrocartilage. Ranges and means of signal intensity were calculated. Surgical follow-up was performed in 22 patients. Results. The joint fluid intensity was greatest in the distal radioulnar joint. Fluid signal intensity was greater and more consistent in the passive motion group although the results did not achieve statistical significance. Imaging accuracy appeared similar in the two groups and was excellent for the triangular fibrocartilage (100%) and scapholunate ligaments (96%). Conclusion. Active exercise and passive motion yield similar degrees of wrist arthrographic effect, but the effect of passive motion is somewhat more consistent. Preliminary data show good accuracy for internal derangements.

Preiser's disease: Identification of two patterns

PURPOSE A large series of patients with Preisers disease was reviewed to compare 2 potentially different categories of this disorder: complete versus partial vascular impairment of the scaphoid bone as determined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS Nineteen patients with Preisers disease were identified retrospectively from 2 institutions. Using MRI criteria, 2 disease patterns were identified: diffuse necrosis and/or ischemia of the scaphoid (type 1 disease, 11 cases) and segmental vascular impairment of the scaphoid (type 2 disease, 8 cases). Risk factors for osteonecrosis, treatment methods, and serial radiographs were reviewed in all cases. Sixteen patients were examined for the purpose of this study at an average follow-up of 25 months. RESULTS MRI signal changes of necrosis and/or ischemia involved 100% of the scaphoid in type 1 cases and on average approximately 42% in type 2 cases (range, 33% to 66%). In type 1 cases, regardless of the treatment used, the scaphoid typically fragmented and collapsed. In type 2 cases, scaphoid architecture was altered minimally after similar treatment methods. A history of wrist trauma was significantly more common in type 2 cases, and the results of treatment were generally better in this group of patients (mean Mayo modified wrist scores, 86 vs 58 points). CONCLUSIONS This study supports the concept of 2 patterns of scaphoid involvement in Preisers disease. Type 1 cases are characterized by MRI signal changes of necrosis and/or ischemia involving the entire scaphoid bone. Patients in this group have a propensity for scaphoid deterioration. Type 2 cases have MRI signal changes involving only part of the scaphoid. These patients commonly report a history of wrist trauma, show fewer tendencies toward scaphoid fragmentation, and may have a more favorable clinical outcome.

Partial interosseous ligament tears of the wrist : Difficulty in utilizing either primary or secondary MRI signs

Purpose Prior reports on scapholunate ligament (SLL) and lunotriquetral ligament (LTL) tears have evaluated complete tears. As these complete tears have markedly different biomechanical manifestations and surgical considerations than do partial tears, we evaluated the accuracy of MR and the usefulness of secondary MR signs to diagnose partial interosseous ligament tears. Method Fifty wrists in 50 patients underwent arthroscopy following 1.5 T MR. Images were evaluated by two independent blinded observers for normal or partially torn SLL and LTL and for three secondary signs potentially seen as mechanical sequelae of tears: osseous offset, arc disruption, or focal osteoarthritis. Results Arthroscopically, there were 16 SLL and 14 LTL partial tears. Accuracy of primary MR signs of partial tears was lower than that described in the literature for complete tears [sensitivity/specificity (&kgr;) = 0.56/0.56 (0.12)—SLL, 0.31/0.76 (0.13)—LTL]. Secondary signs showed low sensitivity but high specificity, particularly for LTL tears: arc disruption [0.17/0.83 (0.43)—SLL, 0.0/1.00 (1.0)— LTL], focal osteoarthritis [0.32/0.78 (0.18)—SLL, 0.11/0.91 (0.12)—LTL], and focal osseous offset [0.39/0.75 (0.10)—SLL, 0.26/0.93 (0.39)—LTL]. Additionally, there was poor interobserver consistency for both primary and secondary signs. Conclusion The sensitivity of morphologic evaluation for diagnosing partial intercarpal ligament tears, particularly those of the LTL, is limited. Secondary signs increase specificity but have low sensitivity, and with the exception of arc disruption, all signs had poor interobserver agreement.

Flexor pollicis longus rupture in a trigger thumb: A case report

Stenosing tenosynovitis of the digit or trigger finger is a common condition in the hand that occurs idiopathically or in association with other disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, and gout. The patient typically experiences pain at the A1 pulley or locking of the digit that may lead to contracture, but these symptoms can often be relieved by splinting or local injection of corticosteroid.l-3 We report a case of rupture of the flexor pollicis longus tendon (FPL) in a patient with a trigger thumb.

The effect of a therapy protocol for increasing correction of severely contracted proximal interphalangeal joints caused by dupuytren disease and treated with collagenase injection.

PURPOSE To determine the effect of a specific orthotic intervention and therapy protocol on proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contractures of greater than 40° caused by Dupuytren disease and treated with collagenase injections. METHODS All patients with PIP joints contracted at least 40° by Dupuytren disease were prospectively invited to participate in the study. Following standard collagenase injection and cord rupture by a hand surgeon, a certified hand therapist evaluated and treated each patient based on a defined treatment protocol that consisted of orthotic intervention to address residual PIP joint contracture. In addition, exercises were initiated emphasizing reverse blocking for PIP joint extension and distal interphalangeal joint flexion exercises with the PIP joint held in extension to lengthen a frequently shortened oblique retinacular ligament. Patients were assessed before injection, immediately after injection, and 1 and 4 weeks later. There were 22 fingers in 21 patients. The mean age at treatment was 63 years (range, 37-80 y). RESULTS The mean baseline passive PIP joint contracture was 56° (range, 40° to 80°). At cord rupture, the mean PIP joint contracture became 22° (range, 0° to 55°). One week after cord rupture and therapy, the contracture decreased further to a mean of 12° (range, 0° to 36°). By 4 weeks, the mean contracture was 7° (range, 0° to 35°). The differences in PIP joint contracture were statistically significant at all time points except when comparing the means at 1 week and 4 weeks. The results represent an 88% improvement of the PIP joint contracture. CONCLUSIONS In the short term, it appears that severe PIP joint contractures benefit from specific, postinjection orthotic intervention and targeted exercises. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic IV.