Richard L. Uhl

Tension band arthrodesis of finger joints: A retrospective review of 76 consecutive cases

Arthrodesis of finger joints is a reliable method of treating finger joint instability and arthritis. Tension band arthrodesis is an effective method of stable fixation that uses readily available and inexpensive materials. Because fixation is rigid, patients are allowed to move adjacent joints, usually within 1 week after surgery. The results of 76 tension band arthrodesis procedures performed since 1982 in 63 patients were reviewed. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 38 months. The average time to radiographic fusion was 12 weeks (range, 4 to 64 weeks). One joint failed to fuse and developed a stable, asymptomatic nonunion; thus the fusion rate was 99%. Technical problems that occur with the method include nonparallel pin placement and penetration of pin tips, leading to painful impingement of the soft tissues. A pin-placement guide has been developed to minimize these problems.

Operative Delay for Orthopedic Patients on Clopidogrel (plavix): A Complete Lack of Consensus

BACKGROUND : Because of its irreversible nature, Plavix (clopidogrel) has become a double edged sword in the care of some of our sickest patients, particularly when surgical intervention is required. Platelets exposed to a single dose of clopidogrel are affected for the remainder of their lifespan and recover normal platelet function at a rate consistent with platelet turnover, which is within 5 days to 7 days (1-3) with the generation of new platelets not influenced by the drug; however, delay of surgical fixation for orthopedic patients, particularly patients with hip fractures may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. METHODS : A Web-based survey was created and administered to the program directors of academic orthopedic surgery programs. RESULTS : Seventy-three percent of orthopedic residency programs responded that waiting 3 days or less for urgent but nonemergent operative interventions on patients on clopidogrel is acceptable with 23% feeling that no delay at all is necessary. For emergent surgery, the vast majority of programs 66 (89%) reported no delay to the operating room for patients on clopidogrel. CONCLUSIONS : The majority of orthopedic surgery residency programs who responded to the survey wait less than 3 days for urgent surgery and do not delay surgery for emergency cases for patients on clopidogrel. At this point we feel that an early intervention that occurs within approximately 2 days, with the acceptance of the possibility of increased blood loss is in the patients best interest. Based on the reviewed physiology, a perioperative platelet transfusion may be of some benefit as the transfused platelets would be effective in forming a viable plug.

Posterior Approaches to the Humerus: When Should You Worry About the Radial Nerve?

We used the olecranon osteotomy approach to the humerus on 75 cadaver arms and measured where the radial nerve pierced the intermuscular septum to determine the risk to that nerve during elevation of the triceps. We found the nerve an average of 10.0 cm from the distal articular surface in men and 9.4 cm in women; however, some cadavers had nerves as close as 7.5 cm. The humerus was also approached via a triceps split and the nerve located at the spiral groove. The distance from the articular surface to the nerve averaged 15.8 cm in men and 15.2 cm in women, with the minimum distance being 13 cm in one woman. When dissection beyond 7.5 cm laterally or 13.0 cm posteriorly is required, care should be taken to isolate and protect the radial nerve.

Treatment of Displaced Calcaneus Fractures Using a Minimally Invasive Sinus Tarsi Approach

Calcaneus fracture with severe comminution and soft tissue injury are prane to wound complications and are difficult to treat.

Management of chronic musculoskeletal pain.

&NA; Chronic musculoskeletal pain results from a complex interplay of mechanical, biochemical, psychological, and social factors. Effective management is markedly different from that of acute musculoskeletal pain. Understanding the physiology of pain transmission, modulation, and perception is crucial for effective management. Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies such as psychotherapy and biofeedback exercises can be used to manage chronic pain. Evidence‐based treatment recommendations have been made for chronic pain conditions frequently encountered by orthopaedic surgeons, including low back, osteoarthritic, posttraumatic, and neuropathic pain. Extended‐release tramadol; select tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and anticonvulsants; and topical medications such as lidocaine, diclofenac, and capsaicin are among the most effective treatments. However, drug efficacy varies significantly by indication. Orthopaedic surgeons should be familiar with the widely available safe and effective nonnarcotic options for chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Clinical application of the forearm tourniquet

We undertook this prospective study of 148 consecutive hand and wrist procedures to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the forearm tourniquet. Patients were assigned to three groups based on tourniquet pressure used, ranging from 50 to 125 mmHg above systolic blood pressure. The forearm tourniquet was well tolerated by all patients. No patient had neurologic complications. Minimal intraoperative bleeding occurred when the pressure was greater than 75 mmHg above systolic blood pressure. The forearm tourniquet is a safe and effective means of providing a bloodless field for wrist and hand surgery.

Subtle injuries to the lisfranc joint.

The tarsometatarsal joint complex is an osseous and capsuloligamentous network that includes the 5 metatarsals, their articulations with the cuneiforms and cuboid, and the Lisfranc ligament, a strong interosseous attachment between the medial cuneiform and second metatarsal. A multitude of injury patterns exist involving the tarsometatarsal joint complex; a Lisfranc injury does not delineate a specific injury, but instead a spectrum of processes involving the tarsometatarsal joint complex.

Review of distal tibial epiphyseal transitional fractures.

The closure of the distal tibial physis occurs over an 18-month period between ages 12 and 15 years. During this time period, children are susceptible to several transitional fractures, so labeled because they are transitioning to skeletal maturity. In the setting of an external rotation force, triplane and Tillaux fractures can occur. These fractures, which present similarly to other Salter-Harris growth plate injuries, do not fit neatly into any 1 classification scheme and are not easily evaluated on plain radiographs. Computed tomography scans are required to optimally assess these fractures and to determine the need for closed vs open treatment. Regardless of which treatment modality is chosen, anatomic reduction is the goal. This article discusses the approach to these unique fractures.

Randomized Prospective Evaluation of Injection Techniques for the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis

Lateral epicondylitis is a commonly made diagnosis for general practitioners and orthopedic surgeons. Corticosteroid injection is a mainstay of early treatment. However, conflicting evidence exists to support the use of steroid injection, and no evidence in the literature supports an injection technique. Nineteen patients diagnosed with acute lateral epicondylitis were evaluated to compare the peppered- and single-injection techniques using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, visual analog score (VAS), and grip strength. For elbows with a single injection, mean grip strength increased from 22.9 to 27.8 (P=.053), mean VAS pain score decreased from 4.8 to 3.6 (P=.604), and mean DASH score decreased from 2.6 to 1.8 points (P=.026). For elbows with peppered injections, mean grip strength increased from 28.7 to 32.8 (P=.336), mean VAS pain scores decreased from 3.7 to 2.3 (P=.386), and mean DASH score decreased from 2.6 to 1.3 (P=.008).No studies have directly compared the peppered-injection technique to the single-injection technique. Our results suggest that patient outcome is improved with the single injection. The biomechanical or chemical reason for the distinction is yet unknown, but we postulate that the peppered technique may actually further damage the already compromised tendon. The theory that the peppered injection stimulates blood flow may be overestimated or false. Histochemical studies of the pathologic tissue must be performed to further delineate the reason for improved outcomes with the single-injection technique.

Diabetes mellitus: musculoskeletal manifestations and perioperative considerations for the orthopaedic surgeon.

Diabetes mellitus is a disease of uncontrolled hyperglycemia. Despite a more sophisticated understanding of the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus and despite pharmacologic advancements that enable better glycemic control, the prevalence of this disease and its devastating sequelae continue to rise. The adverse effects of diabetes on the nervous, vascular, and immune systems render the musculoskeletal system vulnerable to considerable damage. Foot involvement has traditionally been thought of as the most severe and frequently encountered orthopaedic consequence. However, the upper extremity, spine, and muscles are also commonly affected. Orthopaedic surgeons are more involved than ever in the care of patients with diabetes mellitus, and they play a vital role in the multidisciplinary approach used to treat these patients. As a result, surgeons must have a comprehensive understanding of the musculoskeletal manifestations and perioperative considerations of diabetes in order to most effectively care for patients with diabetes mellitus.