RESUMEN
PURPOSE: To describe pertinent anatomic findings during repair of chronic, partial distal biceps tendon tears and to compare the complications of surgery with a similar cohort of acute, complete tears. METHODS: Group 1 included 14 patients (15 elbows) with partial tears managed operatively an average of 10 months from onset of injury or symptoms. Group 2 included a matched cohort of 16 patients (17 elbows) treated for complete, acute tears an average of 19 days from injury. A retrospective review of all 30 patients focused on demographic data, intraoperative findings, and postoperative complications. A single, anterior incision was used in all cases with multiple suture anchors or a bicortical toggling button for fixation of the repair. RESULTS: We evaluated 27 men and 3 women with an average age of 55 years (group 1) and 48 years (group 2). Intratendinous ganglion formation at the site of rupture of the degenerative tendon was observed in 5 cases of partial tears and none of the complete tears. Partial tears involved the lateral aspect or short head of the biceps tendon insertion in all cases. Postoperative complications included lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve neuritis in 8 group 1 patients and 6 group 2 patients and transient posterior interosseus nerve palsy in 3 group 1 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Partial distal biceps tendon ruptures showed a consistent pattern of pathology involving disruption of the lateral side of the tendon insertion involving the small head of the biceps. Degenerative intratendinous ganglion formation was present in one third of cases. Repair of chronic, partial distal biceps tendon injuries may have a higher incidence of posterior interosseous and lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve palsies. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic III.
Asunto(s)
Traumatismos del Brazo/cirugía , Traumatismos de los Tendones/cirugía , Adulto , Anciano , Traumatismos del Brazo/patología , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Enfermedad Crónica , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Procedimientos Ortopédicos/efectos adversos , Traumatismos de los Nervios Periféricos/etiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Rotura , Traumatismos de los Tendones/patologíaRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To evaluate internal distraction plating for the management of comminuted, intra-articular distal radius fractures in patients greater than 60 years of age at two level 1 trauma centers. We specifically desired to determine whether patients would have acceptable results from the clinical standpoint of range of motion, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score, and the radiographic measurements of ulnar variance, radial inclination, and palmar tilt. Our hypothesis was that distraction plating of comminuted distal radius fractures in the elderly would result in acceptable outcomes regarding range of motion, DASH score, and radiographic parameters and would, thereby, provide the upper extremity surgeon with another option for the treatment of these fractures. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 33 patients over 60 years of age with comminuted distal radius fractures treated with internal distraction plating at two level 1 trauma centers. Patients were treated with internal distraction plating across the radiocarpal joint. At the time of final follow-up, radiographs were evaluated for ulnar variance, radial inclination, and palmar tilt. Range of motion, complications, and DASH scores were also obtained. RESULTS: We treated 33 patients (mean age, 70 y) with distraction plating for comminuted distal radius fractures. At final follow-up, all fractures had healed, and radiographs demonstrated mean palmar tilt of 5° and mean positive ulnar variance of 0.6 mm. Mean radial inclination was 20°. Mean values for wrist flexion and extension were 46° and 50°, respectively. Mean pronation and supination were 79° and 77°, respectively. At final follow-up, the mean DASH score was 32. CONCLUSIONS: In the elderly, distraction plating is an effective method of treatment for comminuted, osteoporotic distal radius fractures. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic IV.
Asunto(s)
Placas Óseas , Fijación Interna de Fracturas/métodos , Fracturas Conminutas/cirugía , Osteoporosis/complicaciones , Fracturas del Radio/cirugía , Anciano , Evaluación de la Discapacidad , Femenino , Fijación Interna de Fracturas/instrumentación , Fracturas Conminutas/diagnóstico por imagen , Fracturas Conminutas/fisiopatología , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Radiografía , Fracturas del Radio/diagnóstico por imagen , Fracturas del Radio/etiología , Fracturas del Radio/fisiopatología , Rango del Movimiento Articular , Estudios Retrospectivos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
PURPOSE: To evaluate whether there was a difference in complication rates in our patients treated with external fixation versus volar plating of distal radius fractures. We also looked for a difference in radiographic results; in the clinical outcomes of flexion, extension, supination, pronation, and grip strength; and in scores on the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. METHODS: We reviewed 115 patients with comminuted intrarticular distal radius fractures. Of those patients, 59 were treated with external fixation and 56 with volar plate fixation. Postoperative radiographs, range of motion, and grip strength were measured; DASH and VAS pain questionnaires were administered; and complications were documented. RESULTS: The external fixation group had a significantly higher overall complication rate. In the volar plate group, there were more tendon and median nerve complications, but this difference was not significant. Radiographically, the external fixator group demonstrated radial shortening of 0.7 mm, whereas the volar plate group demonstrated 0.3 mm of radial shortening during the postoperative period. There were no significant differences between the groups in the measurement of scapholunate angle or palmar tilt. The mean DASH score at final follow-up was 32 in the external fixation group and 17 in the volar plate group, which was statistically significant. The final VAS scores were statistically different at 3.1 for the external fixation group and 1.1 for the volar plate group. On physical examination, the volar plate group had significantly better arc of motion in pronation-supination and flexion-extension and better grip strength. CONCLUSIONS: In the patients we studied, volar plate fixation has an overall decreased incidence of complications and significantly better motion in flexion-extension and supination-pronation compared to external fixation. Volar plate fixation also has less radial shortening than the external fixation group, yet the absolute difference in magnitude of ulnar variance was only 1.4 mm, calling into question the clinical significance of this difference. Patients with volar plating also have better pain and functional outcomes and better grip strength. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic III.
Asunto(s)
Placas Óseas , Fijadores Externos , Fijación de Fractura/métodos , Fracturas Conminutas/cirugía , Fracturas del Radio/cirugía , Traumatismos de la Muñeca/cirugía , Femenino , Fijación de Fractura/efectos adversos , Fijación Interna de Fracturas/efectos adversos , Fracturas Conminutas/diagnóstico por imagen , Humanos , Fracturas Intraarticulares/cirugía , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Dimensión del Dolor , Radiografía , Fracturas del Radio/diagnóstico por imagen , Rango del Movimiento Articular , Traumatismos de la Muñeca/diagnóstico por imagenRESUMEN
PURPOSE: One pattern of injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is a traumatic peripheral tear located at the ulnar end of the TFCC. Since 1989, this specific injury has been classified as a Palmer type 1B lesion. Various treatment options have been described for 1B injuries, yet when there is coexistent ulnar positive variance, it can make the choice of treatment difficult. The purpose of this article is to help the surgeon decide how to treat type 1B lesions in ulnar positive patients by directly comparing arthroscopic repair (repair) to ulnar shortening osteotomy (USO). The null hypothesis was that repair and USO would provide equivalent postoperative improvement with regard to motion; Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score; visual analog scale (VAS) score; and grip strength. METHODS: We tested our hypothesis by retrospectively reviewing prospectively collected data from 51 patients treated surgically between 2000 and 2006 with type 1B tears in the setting of ulnar positive variance. Of these 51 patients, 27 were treated with arthroscopic repair and 24 with USO. All patients were evaluated before surgery as well as at final follow-up for active range of motion measurements, grip strength, DASH score, and VAS score. Radiographs were taken of all patients before surgery to confirm the presence of ulnar positive variance, and after surgery in the USO group to evaluate for bony union. RESULTS: At the final follow-up, we found no statistically significant difference between the repair and USO groups with regard to flexion, extension, pronation, supination, radial deviation, or ulnar deviation. Likewise, there was no significant difference in grip strength, DASH scores, or VAS scores. When analyzing each cohort individually, both groups improved significantly after surgery with regard to DASH score, VAS score, and wrist extension. There was also a trend toward improved motion in all other directions except for an insignificant decrease in postoperative pronation in the repair group. Two patients in the USO group required additional surgery, with one revision performed for nonunion and one for painful hardware, which caused extensor carpi ulnaris tendonitis. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study suggest that type 1B TFCC tears in the ulnar positive patient can be managed equivalently well with repair or USO. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic III.