Dynamic axial carpal instability.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R R Slater.
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The purpose of this study was to evaluate in cadavers a new method for treating scapholunate dissociations, dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis (DILC), and to compare its performance with that of a previously described soft tissue reconstruction, Blatt capsulodesis (BC). A cadaver model was used to simulate normal and abnormal wrist motions. The positions of the scaphoid and lunate and their changes with wrist motion and ligament condition were recorded using biplanar radiographs taken posteroanteriorly and laterally. The scapholunate gap was measured on the posteroanterior radiographs and the scapholunate angle was measured on the lateral view radiographs. Following scapholunate interosseous ligament sectioning, a diastasis developed between the scaphoid and lunate that was maximum in the clenched fist position 2.1 +/- 0.33 mm (mean +/- SEM) with the ligament intact versus 8.0 +/- 1.74 mm after the ligament was sectioned. Dorsal intercarpal ligament capsulodesis reduced gap formation more than BC, including when the specimens were in the clenched fist position: increased gap versus intact specimens equals 1.0 mm for DILC versus 3.7 mm for BC. The differences in diastasis were statistically significant between BC and DILC when the wrist was in extension, radial deviation, and clenched fist positions. After the scapholunate interosseous ligament was divided, the scaphoid flexed relative to the lunate. Both capsulodeses improved scapholunate alignment and there was a trend for DILC to correct the scapholunate angle more than BC. The results demonstrate that DILC is an attractive alternative to BC ex vivo. Because DILC does not tether the scaphoid to the distal radius, as BC does, improved wrist motion, especially flexion, might be possible in vivo. The use of DILC in the treatment of scapholunate dissociation warrants further investigation and clinical trials.
The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of tests or a combination of tests for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. Three groups of 50 subjects each were studied: group 1 had definite carpal tunnel syndrome as defined by history, clinical presentation, and improvement of symptoms following carpal tunnel release; group 2 had a variety of nontraumatic upper extremity disorders other than carpal tunnel syndrome; and group 3 subjects were asymptomatic healthy volunteers. Subjects submitted a self-administered hand diagram, and were queried about night pain, symptom duration, and coexistent medical conditions. Phalen's test, Tinel's sign, Durkan's compression test, and Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing both before and after a Phalen's maneuver for 5 minutes were performed on each subject. Grip and pinch strengths were measured. Univariate analysis of groups 1 and 2 showed that the tests with the highest sensitivity were Durkan's compression test (89%), Semmes-Weinstein testing after Phalen's maneuver (83%), and hand diagram scores (76%). Night pain was a sensitive symptom predictor (96%). The most specific tests were the hand diagram (76%) and Tinel's sign (71%). Analysis of groups 1 and 3 without group 2 increased the specificity and predictive value of a positive test. A regression model was used to develop a multivariate equation with 4 variables. If a patient has an abnormal hand diagram, abnormal sensibility by Semmes-Weinstein testing in wrist-neutral position, a positive Durkan's test, and night pain, the probability that carpal tunnel syndrome will be correctly diagnosed is 0.86. If all 4 of these conditions are normal, the probability that the patient has carpal tunnel syndrome is 0.0068. We found that the addition of electrodiagnostic tests did not increase the diagnostic power of the combination of 4 clinical tests.
In a prospective study of 35 cemented press fit condylar knees, we studied the prevalence of radiolucent lines 1 mm wide or wider using two methods of detection: conventional (plain) and fluoroscopically-guided radiographs. All films were evaluated in accordance with the Knee Society Total Knee Arthroplasty Roentgenographic Evaluation and Scoring System. A total of 12 radiolucencies were detected in nine knees (26% of all knees) using conventional radiographs versus 25 radiolucencies in 13 knees (37% of all knees) using fluoroscopically-guided radiographs. This was a statistically significant difference and suggests that the true prevalence of periprosthetic radiolucencies will be underestimated if conventional radiographs are used to evaluate the bone-prosthesis interfaces and questions the value of routine postoperative plain film radiographs to evaluate the results of knee arthroplasty.
An unusual complication after the use of a pedicled latissimus dorsi flap is reported. The flap was used to reconstruct a facial defect after excision of a high grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of a parotid gland. The tendinous insertion of the latissimus dorsi on the humerus was left intact and the flap pivoted around this point. Subsequent use of his arm caused the patient disabling shoulder pain from traction on the tendon. Symptoms resolved after the tendon was divided.
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The medical records of 22 patients who had a total of 61 simple or complex lacerations of finger, thumb, and wrist extensor tendons repaired in zones V-VIII (thumb zones TIII-TV) were reviewed. By 7 days after surgery, custom-molded splints were applied to hold the patients' wrists extended (approximately 30 degrees) and the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joints flexed slightly (20 degrees-30 degrees), leaving the interphalangeal (IP) joints free. If thumb tenorrhaphies were done, the thumb carpometacarpal and MP joints were included and splinted in neutral (0 degree extension) position. Patients performed active JP joint range of motion (ROM) exercises as instructed. At a mean follow-up period of 4.5 months (range, 1.5-12 months), there were no residual impairments that interfered with patients' activities of daily living or prevented their return to preinjury employment status; 19 of 22 patients (86%) had good or excellent results, based on objective criteria of active motion. There were no tenorrhaphy failures. The results support the concept of functional splinting techniques, which allow early active IP joint ROM while protecting the repaired tendons, thus resulting in less joint stiffness than older methods of static splinting without being as complicated and labor-intensive as dynamic splinting.
Five patients with disabling symptoms related to proximal translation (> 1 cm) of the radius following radial head excision (Essex-Lopresti lesion) were treated with implantation of a frozen-allograft radial head prosthesis. Following restoration of neutral ulnar variance at the wrist, a size-matched frozen radial head allograft was implanted and secured to the proximal radius with internal fixation. In three patients, this was a two-stage procedure; radial length was restored gradually using an ilizarov external fixation device and the allograft was placed later. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically at a mean follow-up time of 3 years (range, 1-7 years). All patients had relief of wrist and elbow pain and were satisfied with the outcome of the operation. Forearm rotation improved by a mean of 37 degrees and wrist motion improved by a mean of 45 degrees. Forearm reconstruction with frozen radial head allograft implantation may be a beneficial method of treatment for this difficult problem.
Immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) oligoclonality in childhood B precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as determined by Southern analysis is found in 30-50% of patients and has been shown to be the result of ongoing IgH rearrangement (mostly V(H)-replacement and V(H) to D-J(H) joining) after malignant transformation. It is unknown however, what determines the type of secondary rearrangement. Also the biological basis of the variable degree of oligoclonality observed in childhood ALL is poorly understood. We analyzed in detail the IgH rearrangement status of the leukemic cells for a random panel of 18 childhood B precursor ALL patients by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/sequencing analysis and by Southern analysis. By Southern analysis 10/18 (55.6%) patients were considered oligoclonal and 8/18 (44.4%) monoclonal. In contrast, by PCR minor clonal rearrangements were detected in 14/18 (77.8%) patients. V(H)-replacement was found in 7/14 patients, V(H) to D-J(H) joining in 6/14 patients and an unusual type of secondary rearrangement, V(H)-D to J(H) joining, in one patient. Only a single type of secondary rearrangement was detected in each patient. The type of secondary rearrangement (V(H)-replacement or V(H) to D-J(H) joining) depended on the rearrangement status (VDJ/VDJ or VDJ/DJ, respectively) of the dominant leukemic clone as determined by Southern analysis. We found that in addition to a more 'advanced' IgH rearrangement status patients with V(H)-replacements also have a more 'advanced' TCRdelta rearrangement status, which possibly reflects exposure of both the IgH locus and the TCRdelta locus to recombinase activity in a preleukemic clone. Finally, we investigated a putative relationship between oligoclonality by Southern analysis and S-phase fraction of the leukemic cell population. We found a significantly lower percentage cells in S-phase for oligoclonal patients as compared to monoclonal patients. Our data add to the understanding of ongoing rearrangement of antigen receptor loci in childhood ALL and have implications for the monitoring of minimal residual disease by PCR.
A modified technique for performing a distal radius osteotomy, using the Agee-WristJack for temporary fixation, is described. The preoperative and postoperative conditions of a patient, a 26-year-old woman, are illustrated in radiographs.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the potential of using monoclonal antibodies (MAb) 3-B-3(-) and 7-D-4 to detect biochemical markers of altered cartilage metabolism in human arthritides. METHODS: Fifty-five samples of normal articular cartilage (subjects' age range 18 weeks of gestation to 83 years of age) and 89 samples of arthritic cartilage (patients' age range 20-81 years) were collected, and their proteoglycans were extracted and analyzed for the presence of the epitopes recognized by MAb 3-B-3 and 7-D-4. RESULTS: Native 3-B-3(-) mimotope was expressed at a high incidence in proteoglycans extracted from the cartilage of patients with most of the arthritic diseases examined (osteoarthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, avascular necrosis, and degenerative meniscal tears). Its expression in normal cartilage specimens was very low or absent, occurring mainly in the young, skeletally immature individuals. In contrast, expression of the 7-D-4 epitope was more variable in patients with different arthritides and was also frequently found in normal cartilage specimens. Immunohistochemical analyses with both 3-B-3(-) and 7-D-4 showed strong focal positive staining in superficial areas, where cartilage degeneration, remodeling, and repair were greatest. CONCLUSION: The biochemical markers recognized by MAb 3-B-3(-) and 7-D-4 are indicative of altered proteoglycan synthesis and metabolism in human articular cartilage. The data suggest that in human cartilage, the 3-B-3(-) epitope might be a better marker of biochemical changes than the 7-D-4 epitope.
The success of a hip arthroplasty using a cemented femoral component relies in part on the quality of the cement technique, and is enhanced by obtaining a uniform, well-pressurized cement mantle around the prosthesis. For that reason, cortical bone defects in the femur pose technical difficulties for the surgeon planning a cemented femoral component. In this article, a new technique is presented that is used to prevent cement extrusion through defects in the femoral cortex when pressurizing the cement mantle around the prosthesis. Custom-molded polymethylmethacrylate (bone cement) plugs may be fashioned during operation to fill temporarily defects of almost any size.
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Carpal tunnel syndrome is a commonly occurring entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve at the wrist. This paper reviews the causes and functional manifestations of this syndrome, as well as the clinical diagnosis and provocative tests that may be useful in establishing it. Surgical results are reliably good and may now be obtained with low morbidity using a variety of minimally invasive techniques performed through limited incisions that involve less extensive exposure than the "classic" open procedure. These include flexor tenosynovectomy without transverse carpal ligament (TCL) division, endoscopic release of the TCL, and subcutaneous TCL division with a two-incision technique. The advantages and disadvantages of these new procedures are examined.
Tuberculosis of the cervical spine is relatively rare, and the diagnosis is often delayed. Roentgenograms and computerized tomography of the cervical spine can provide important diagnostic clues. Chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment, but when neurologic deficits are present the best treatment is debridement and anterior spinal fusion combined with antituberculous chemotherapy. The incidence of tuberculosis is increasing in parallel with the growing numbers of immunocompromised patients. Awareness of the manifestations of cervical Pott's disease may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of affected patients.
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Simultaneous bilateral fractures of the femoral necks are rare injuries, especially when there is no underlying pathologic condition. A review of the literature revealed only 10 cases of this injury as a result of trauma, only one of which was due to accidental electric shock. A second case in which such an injury was caused by accidental electric shock is presented here. It is important to be aware of this injury and to diagnose it early to avoid the increased risk of complications after a delay in diagnosis or treatment.