Arthroscopic synovectomy for rheumatoid wrists and elbows.

Purpose: To evaluate the treatment outcome of wrist and elbow arthroscopic synovectomy for patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: 3 men and 18 women aged 27 to 71 (mean, 54) years underwent arthroscopic synovectomy for rheumatoid arthritis of the wrist (n=12) and elbow (n=13). All patients had received multiple medications including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and steroids, as well as physiotherapy and splintage for 6 months, but the joint pain and disability persisted.

Sushi hand roll dressing for thumb polydactyly.

Surgery for thumb polydactyly is a commonly performed orthopaedic procedure in Asia Pacific region. Despite extensive publications on topical dressing methods and dressing materials in paediatric wounds, there is no single design that affords a secure and yet comfortable post-operative wound dressing for thumb polydactyly. We have devised a new dressing method, which can easily be fabricated for such purpose from readily available materials in operation theatre.

Calcinosis cutis of the hand in a renal failure patient: a case report.

A 25-year-old woman with end-stage renal failure presented with subcutaneous calcinosis cutis that grew rapidly in both hands. Radiographs showed subcutaneous lobulated calcific deposits. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a heterogeneous mass encasing segments of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons.

Femoral tunnel widening after quadrupled hamstring anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Purpose: To evaluate the extent of femoral tunnel widening after quadrupled hamstring anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using femoral cross pin fixation in contrast to bioabsorbable screw fixation augmented with Endopearl.

Methods: 16 patients underwent cross pin femoral fixation and the next 15 underwent bioabsorbable screw fixation augmented with Endopearl. The patients were evaluated radiographically for femoral tunnel widening.

Anatomic variations of neurovascular structures of the ankle in relation to arthroscopic portals: a cadaveric study of Chinese subjects.

Purpose: To investigate anatomic variations of neurovascular structures in the ankle and the safety margin for arthroscopic portals.

Methods: 11 left and 12 right ankles from 8 female and 15 male fresh cadavers of Chinese ethnicity aged 53 to 88 (mean, 68) years were used. The ankle was standardised in a plantigrade position, zero-degree inversion, and neutral rotation.

Cost comparison of femoral head banking versus bone substitutes.

Purpose: To compare the costs of femoral head banking versus bone substitutes.

Methods: Records of femoral head banking from 1998 to 2008 were reviewed. The cost of allogenic cancellous bone graft was calculated by estimating the direct expenditure of femoral head procurement, screening tests, and storage, and then divided by the amount of bone harvested.

Rotary subluxation of the metacarpophalangeal thumb joint: a case report.

Irreducible rotary subluxation of the metacarpophalangeal joint (MCPJ) of the thumb is a rare entity. Open reduction is indicated when signs of irreducibility are seen on the radiographs. We present one such case caused by displacement of the sesamoid bone into the intercondylar notch of the first metacarpal bone.

Laminoplasty after anterior spinal fusion for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Purpose: To review outcomes of laminoplasty after anterior spinal fusion (ASF) in 8 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Methods: Records of 3 men and 5 women aged 49 to 80 (mean, 60) years who underwent laminoplasty after ASF for CSM were reviewed. Before and after ASF and laminoplasty, the causes of CSM, mechanical instability, the Pavlov Torg ratio, the numbers of levels of stenosis, myelomalacia, ASF, and laminoplasty, the modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Hirabayashi recovery rate were recorded in all the patients.

Anterior spinal fusion versus laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a retrospective review.

Purpose: To compare outcomes of anterior spinal fusion (ASF) versus laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Methods: Records of 26 women and 37 men aged 34 to 83 (mean, 67) years who underwent ASF or laminoplasty for CSM were reviewed. Patient demographics, duration of symptoms, pre- and post-operative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, Hirabayashi recovery rate, and radiographic features (including anteroposterior canal diameter, Pavlov ratio, and number of levels compressed) were compared.

Pick-up test: an indication for opponensplasty in patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome.

Purpose: To use a pick-up test to assess thenar motor deficit and results of opponensplasty.

Methods: Eight consecutive patients with idiopathic severe carpal tunnel syndrome and severe thenar motor deficit were identified. All were females aged 39 to 60 (mean, 53) years and right-hand dominant.

Effects of hip joint position and intra-capsular volume on hip joint intra-capsular pressure: a human cadaveric model.

Background: Increase in hip intra-capsular pressure has been implicated in various hip pathologies, such as avascular necrosis complicating undisplaced femoral neck fracture. Our study aimed at documenting the relationship between intra-capsular volume and pressure in various hip positions.

Methods: Fifty-two cadaveric hips were studied.