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Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP) is a rare autosomal dominant disease characterized by focal, recurrent, demyelinating peripheral neuropathies. It is caused by deletions of the gene encoding for peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) on chromosome 17. While it may range widely, the most common clinical presentation is an acute, focal mononeuropathy with numbness or muscle weakness after trauma or compression. Diagnostic tools include electrophysiological studies, genetic tests and nerve biopsies. There is no standard surgical or pharmacological treatment. The course of the disease is usually benign, with spontaneous improvement after most episodes of peripheral nerve palsy. HNPP is best managed by early detection, preventative measures, and subsequent treatment of symptoms. According to the medical literature, operative treatment was undertaken in few cases and limited to decompression of the nerve at the classic entrapment sites of the carpal or cubital tunnels. We present a case of multiple tendon transfer (pronator teres to extensor carpi radialis brevis and flexor carpi radialis to extensor digitorum communis) with a two-year follow-up in a 24-year-old woman with HNPP who was affected by irreversible radial nerve palsy, and conclude with a review of the medical literature related to the disease.

This systematic review aimed to confirm the effectiveness of hand therapy programmes using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework for each of the three phases of the wound healing process in adults with burns. A systematic review was conducted to determine the efficacy of different hand therapy programmes in the management of burnt hands. Two independent reviewers conducted a literature search using the PubMed and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases for original articles reporting effectiveness of hand therapy programmes for adults with burns. Only randomized and non-randomized controlled trials were selected using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Demographic and clinical data including medical history, burn depth, and hand therapy programme were extracted. Outcome measures were reviewed based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework for acute, convalescence, and chronic phases of rehabilitation. Sixteen articles and 15 hand therapy programmes were identified, which included studies showing improvements in different parameters in the framework. In the acute and convalescence phases, improvements were found in health condition, body functions and structures, activities, and participation. In the chronic phase, improvements were shown only in body functions and structures. Environmental factors in the framework were not reported for all the phases. This review demonstrated the efficacy of hand therapy programmes in adults with burns in terms of the health condition, body function, activities, and participation during acute and convalescence phases but only the body function in the chronic phase.

On-top plasty may be the best option for reconstructing atypical radial polydactyly, consisting of a developed distal portion in one thumb and a developed proximal portion in the other thumb. However, it is unclear if patients can gain thumb function corresponding to the reconstructed appearance. We performed a retrospective bibliographic review to summarize the current literature and present our department’s on-top plasty experiences. Over the last ten years, our department performed three on-top plasty radial polydactyly reconstructions. We surveyed the appearance and use of the reconstructed thumb and the patient’s satisfaction level during postoperative follow-up. We also retrieved published case reports describing on-top plasty for polydactyly reconstruction to compare with our cases. Our patients had an acceptable thumb appearance and were satisfied with the gained function of the thumb. However, two patients required revision surgery. We found 11 studies in the literature describing on-top plasty for polydactyly treatment, four of which reported a limited range of thumb motion, but no patient or their family complained about the result. Most patients who undergo on-top plasty for radial polydactyly can expect a fair to good appearance after surgery. Although instability or limitation of the joint arc is possible, the reconstruction satisfies patients regarding function and appearance.

In clinical practice, surgeons have stated that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be performed in patients with titanium alloy implants. However, manufacturers and distributors of many implants may not comply with this common practice. As such, this study aimed to investigate manufacturers’ views on MRI use in patients fitted with their implants. The questionnaire survey was conducted between May and August 2018. Is your product compatible with MRI? ( ) Select from (1) to (3). In case of (1) or (2), up to ( ) Tesla. (1) MRI can be performed even at the sites of implanted fixators. (2) MRI can be performed at sites without implanted fixators. (3) MRI cannot be performed, or the manufacturer does not approve MRI use (cannot issue a certificate). The questionnaire forms were sent to 12 manufacturers, and the response rate was 100%. Manufacturers responded that they could not publicly allow MRI use in patients with their products. These findings do not conclude that MRI cannot be performed in such patients. This survey revealed that currently decisions regarding MRI use is left to the treating physicians. This situation poses a great problem for medical safety and imposes a substantial burden on physicians. As many problems remain in the field of orthopedic surgery, manufacturers of implants should proactively manage issues surrounding the usage of MRI.