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Closed nontraumatic flexor tendon ruptures are classified as spontaneous, infiltrative tenosynovial, iatrogenic, or attritional ruptures based on their mechanism. Attritional ruptures occur over rough bone surfaces that result from various pathologies. Here, we present a case of attritional rupture of the flexor digitorum profundus of the little finger due to pisotriquetral arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation is common among shoulder injuries, and various surgical methods have been introduced for effective ligament reconstruction. Reconstruction of the coracoclavicular (CC) ligament in the anatomical position using autologous tendons is a recent surgical trend. This study is to report clinical and radiologic results of reconstruction of the CC ligament using an autologous palmaris longus tendon interweaved with Mersilene tape (PLMT) with a minimum 2-year follow-up.Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 76 patients (mean age, 43.4 ± 11.2 years) with AC joint dislocation treated by reconstruction of the CC ligament with PLMT, from March 2004 to February 2017. The mean follow-up period was 28 ± 6.7 months (range, 24-66 months). The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain assessment, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons rating scale (ASES), and Constant Score (CS) were used to evaluate clinical outcomes at the preoperative and the final follow-ups. CC and AC distances were measured using anteroposterior (AP) X-ray preoperatively and at the final follow-up for radiologic outcomes. Complications were also assessed.Results: The mean preoperative VAS for pain, ASES, CS were 5.7 ± 0.7, 77.1 ± 6.2, and 61.5 ± 5.2, respectively. These scores at the final follow-up improved to 2.1 ± 0.5, 90.9 ± 4.3, and 94 ± 7.0, respectively (p = 0.043, p <  0.001, p <  0.001). The mean preoperative CC and AC distances were 16.49 ± 3.73 mm and 13.84 ± 3.98 mm, respectively. The final follow-up CC and AC distances were 9.29 ± 2.72 mm and 5.30 ± 2.09 mm, respectively (p <  0.001, p <  0.001). Although a slight re-widening of the CC distance occurred in 10 patients (13.1%), most patients regained full range of motion of the affected shoulder at the final follow-up.Conclusion: The CC ligament reconstruction with PLMT for the treatment of AC joint dislocation showed good clinical and radiological results. This technique could be a good alternative treatment for AC dislocations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There remains no consensus regarding which repair technique provides the most optimal results for unstable distal clavicle fractures. Purpose: To compare radiologic and clinical outcomes between locking plate fixation and anatomic coracoclavicular (CC) ligament reconstruction for patients with unstable distal clavicle fractures. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The study included 41 patients with Neer type 2B distal clavicle fracture. In group A (n = 15), patients were treated using CC ligament reconstruction with autologous palmaris longus tendon, artificial tape, and Steinmann pin fixation; in group B (n = 26), patients were treated using anatomic locking plate fixation. All patients had a minimum 2 years of follow-up. CC distance and arthrosis of the acromioclavicular joint were assessed radiographically. Clinical outcomes—including range of motion, visual analog scale for pain, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons rating scale, and Constant score—were compared between the groups using the paired Student t test and Fisher exact test. Results: Bone union was attained in all patients. In both groups, the CC distance decreased significantly from presurgery to final follow-up: group A, from 16.25 ± 4.75 to 7.66 ± 2.61 mm (P <.001); group B, from 17.3 ± 4.07 to 9.33 ± 2.01 mm (P <.001). The final CC distance was significantly greater in group B (7.66 vs 9.33 mm in groups A and B, respectively; P =.028). Osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint occurred in 13 of 41 patients (3 in group A and 10 in group B). At final follow-up, there was no statistical significance between the groups in range of motion, and clinical outcome scores were satisfactory in both groups, with no statistical difference between them. Conclusion: Anatomic locking plate and anatomic reconstruction of the CC ligament showed good clinical results, so both techniques can be considered reliable for restoring stability. However, CC ligament reconstruction had better CC distance on radiologic assessment and did not require removal surgery, so it may be the preferable surgical option to treat unstable distal clavicle fractures (Neer type 2B). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective engineering approaches for cartilage regeneration involve a combination of cells and biomaterial scaffolds. Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are important sources for cartilage regeneration. Atelocollagen provides a suitable substrate for MSC attachment and enhancing chondrogenic differentiation. Here, we assessed the chondrogenic potential of adipose tissue derived human MSCs (hMSCs) mixed with atelocollagen gel. We observed cell attachment, viability, and microstructures by electron microscopy over 21 days. The levels of Sox9, type II collagen, aggrecan, type I collagen, Runx2, type X collagen, ALP, Osterix, and MMP13 were measured by RT-qPCR. Cartilage matrix-related proteins were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), histology, and immunohistochemistry. hMSCs of all groups exhibited well-maintained cell survival, distribution and morphology. Abundant type II collagen fibers developed on day 21; while Sox9, type II collagen, and aggrecan expression increased over time in the atelocollagen group. However, type I collagen, RUNX2, type X collagen (CoL10A1), Osterix, and ALP were not expressed. These results corroborated the protein expression detected by ELISA. Further, histological analysis revealed lacunae-like structures, while staining demonstrated glycosaminoglycan accumulation. Cumulatively, these results indicate that atelocollagen scaffolds improve hMSC chondrogenic differentiation and are a potential approach for cartilage regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Detection of dorsal cortical penetration of distal locking screws is difficult owing to the irregular shape of the dorsal surface of the distal radius. This study was designed to analyze two-dimensional morphological characteristics of the distal radius on axial magnetic resonance image, and to suggest a guideline for evaluation of screw length in distal radius fractures on the fluoroscopic or plain X-ray true lateral image. Methods: Anteroposterior length and lateral width of the distal radius, distance between the highest and the lowest point of the dorsal cortex (deceptive length), and widths of the first to second (hazard zone) and the third to fifth extensor compartments (safe zone) at the Lister tubercle level were measured on 104 axial magnetic resonance images by two hand surgeons. Results: The mean length and width of the distal radius at the Lister tubercle level were 22.96 mm and 30.42 mm, respectively. The mean hazard zone and safe zone widths were 8.72 mm and 19.43 mm, respectively. The mean deceptive length was 4.07 mm and the deceptive length did not have a relationship with height, sex, and age of subjects. Conclusions: We suggest that 4 mm be used as a reference value for the evaluation screw length at the safe zone. If the vertical distance between a distal screw tip and the peak of the Lister tubercle is lesser than 4 mm on a fluoroscopic or plain X-ray true lateral image, dorsal cortical penetration should be suspected. When dorsal cortical penetration at the hazard zone is suspected, both oblique or pro-supination views should be checked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pedicled latissimus dorsi (LD) flap serves an important function in breast reconstruction, but its utility is limited by its inability to provide sufficient breast volume.Objectives: The purpose of this preliminary report was to review the techniques and outcomes of utilizing fat-grafted, volume-enhanced LD flap transfer with fat grafting recipient sites in autologous breast reconstruction.Methods: A retrospective study was performed of 10 patients (14 breasts) who underwent autologous breast reconstruction utilizing the LD flap transfer technique and simultaneous fat grafting between August 2012 and September 2014. Multilayer, multisite fat grafting was performed to the LD muscle, LD skin paddle, mastectomy skin flaps, and the pectoralis major and serratus muscles simultaneously with the LD flap transfer.Results: Three patients underwent an immediate breast reconstruction, four underwent a delayed breast reconstruction, and four underwent a tertiary breast reconstruction following previously failed breast reconstructions (one patient underwent each of the first two procedures, one on each breast). The average age of the patients was 55 years (range, 39-76 years), the average body mass index of the patients was 29.3 (range, 19.6-39.9), and the average fat grafting volume for the patients was 176 mL (range, 50-300 mL). There was 100% flap survival and complete wound healing. No seroma or fat grafting-related complications were clinically detected. Three patients required additional fat grafting.Conclusions: The fat-grafted, volume-enhanced LD flap procedure with fat grafting recipient sites offers a simple and safe technique for autologous breast reconstruction, with low morbidity and fast recovery. It can be a useful alternative to utilizing abdomen-based flaps in autologous breast reconstruction or could be performed to salvage both implant-based and free-flap breast reconstructions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4: Therapeutic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletal metastasis is a common event during the advanced stage of a malignant tumour, but metastasis to the hand is rare (about 0.1% incidence). We have seen seven cases of metastatic malignant tumour of the hand since 1983, and report them here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the Device for Intervertebral Assisted Motion (DIAM™) has been introduced for surgery of degenerative lumbar disc diseases. The authors performed the current study to determine the survivorship of DIAM™ implantation for degenerative lumbar disc diseases and risk factors for reoperation. One hundred and fifty consecutive patients underwent laminectomy or discectomy with DIAM™ implantation for primary lumbar spinal stenosis or disc herniation. The characteristics of the 150 patients included the following: 84 males and 66 females; mean age at the time of surgery, 46.5 years; median value of follow-up, 23 months (range 1-48 months); 96 spinal stenosis and 54 disc herniations; and 146 one-level (115, L4-5; 31, L5-6) and 4 two-level (L4-5 and L5-6). In the current study, due to lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) L6 meant lumbarization of S1 and this had a prominent spinous process so that the DIAM™ was implanted at L5-6. Reoperations due to any reasons of the DIAM™ implantation level or adjacent levels were defined as a failure and used as the end point for determining survivorship. The cumulative reoperation rate and survival time were determined via Kaplan-Meier analysis. The log-rank test and Cox regression model were used to evaluate the effect of age, gender, diagnosis, location, and level of DIAM™ implantation on the reoperation rate. During a 4-year follow-up, seven patients (two males and five female) underwent reoperation at the DIAM™ implantation level, giving a reoperation rate of 4.7%. However, no patients underwent reoperation for adjacent level complications. The causes of reoperation were recurrent spinal stenosis (n = 3), recurrent disc herniation (n = 2), post-laminectomy spondylolisthesis (n = 1), and delayed deep wound infection (n = 1). The mean time between primary operation and reoperation was 13.4 months (range 2-29 months). Kaplan-Meier analysis predicted an 8% cumulative reoperation rate 4 years post-operatively. Survival time was predicted to be 45.6 ± 0.9 months (mean ± standard deviation). Based on the log-rank test, the reoperation rate was higher at L5-6 (p = 0.002) and two-level (p = 0.01) DIAM™ implantation compared with L4-5 and one-level DIAM™ implantation. However, gender (p = 0.16), age (p = 0.41), and diagnosis (p = 0.67) did not significantly affect the reoperation rate of DIAM™ implantation. Based on a Cox regression model, L5-6 [hazard ratio (HR), 10.3; 95% CI, 1.7-63.0; p = 0.01] and two-level (HR, 10.4; 95% CI, 1.2-90.2; p = 0.04) DIAM™ implantation were also significant variables associated with a higher reoperation rate. Survival time was significantly lower in L5-6 (47 vs. 22 months, p = 0.002) and two-level DIAM™ implantation (46 vs. 18 months, p = 0.01) compared with L4-5 and one-level DIAM™ implantation. The current results suggest that 8% of the patients who have a DIAM™ implantation for primary lumbar spinal stenosis or disc herniation are expected to undergo reoperation at the same level within 4 years after surgery. Based on the limited data set, DIAM™ implantation at L5-6 and two-level in patients with LSTV are significant risk factors for reoperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permanent post-traumatic patellar dislocation is a rare condition, and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can be performed for osteoarthritic knees with this condition. There have been only a few reports about using the standard medial parapatellar approach and extensive lateral release or extensor mechanism realignment for patients with permanent post-traumatic patellar dislocation. We performed two TKAs with using a subvastus approach and lateral release for osteoarthritic knees with permanent post-traumatic patellar dislocation. The patients were well satisfied with their results. The patellae tracked very well in the femoral trochlear groove throughout the full range of motion after the operations. Bone scans were done 1 year postoperatively on both patients, and the scans showed normal vascularity for the patella. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports a rare case of complete dislocation of the thumb metacarpal with extreme displacement. Although there are several reported cases of similar injury in earlier published reports, metacarpals of all the cases remained in situ. In this case, the metacarpal was totally displaced out of the hand. Although open reduction and internal fixation were performed, the clinical outcome was unsatisfactory because of severe soft tissue damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]