Clinical and Radiological Mid- to Long-term Results Following Triple Arthrodesis.

Background/aim: Triple arthrodesis (TA) is a common procedure for stabilization of painful and unstable hind foot deformities. The aim of the study was to analyze postoperative changes in function and pain following isolated TA based on clinical outcomes, radiological findings, and pain scores. The study also considered economic aspects, such as the inability to work, before and after surgery.

Arthroplasty of the trapeziometacarpal joint with or without bioabsorbable polylactide scaffold (RegJoint™) interposition.

The RegJoint™, a bioabsorbable polylactide scaffold, was introduced in 2011 for scaphometacarpal interposition following trapeziectomy for osteoarthritis. As previous clinical trials provided controversial results, we aimed to prove the non-inferiority of RegJoint™ interposition. In this retrospective study, first metacarpal suspension arthroplasty alone (SA) was compared to suspension with RegJoint™ interposition (RJ).

The dorsal tangent line - A new approach in the radiological analysis of metacarpal fractures.

Traditionally, the angle between the intersecting central axes (lateral projection intersecting central axes - LCA) of the proximal and distal fragments of metacarpal fractures is measured on radiographs. We recommend using the angle between the intersecting dorsal tangent lines instead (lateral projection intersecting dorsal tangent lines - LDT). We analyzed radiographs of 25 fractures of the fifth metacarpal bone shaft in three planes.

[Hand and foot injuries in rheumatoid patients : Tips and tricks in operative and conservative treatment].

Since the introduction of biologicals and small molecules for the treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases, these patients are more active and therefore sustain more accidents. The hands and feet are most affected by inflammatory rheumatic diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis, and are also very exposed to injuries. Therefore, rheumatoid patients have a high coincidence of injuries and rheumatic destruction of the hands and feet.

Autoantibodies against P29ING4 are associated with complex regional pain syndrome.

Introduction: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a complication following trauma or surgery and may be difficult to diagnose since biomarkers are lacking. Using protein array technology, we found antibodies binding to p29ING4, which we further characterized using ELISA.

Methods: Thirty-six sera of early-stage type 1 CRPS, 66 sera of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 53 sera of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), 29 sera of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), 22 sera of patients after radial fractures (trauma control), and 100 sera of blood donors (BD) were analyzed for anti-p29ING4.

[Primary stability of proximal interphalangeal joint arthrodesis: an in-vitro comparison of intraosseous wiring with and without a transverse Kirschner wire].

Background: Arthrodesis can be considered the fastest and safest surgical treatment for degenerative destruction of the proximal interphalangeal joint. For this procedure, a variety of surgical strategies have been described. Protocols for compression arthrodesis by intraosseous wiring are known to have the best outcomes.

Clinical and Radiological Mid-to-Long-term Outcomes Following Ankle Arthrolysis.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success of arthrolysis surgery and the risk of progression of osteoarthrosis at the ankle joint.

Materials And Methods: In a retrospective clinical and radiological study, with a minimum follow-up of 24 months, the pain level and quality of living were evaluated.

Results: Following arthrolysis of the ankle joint, 16% of patients required ankle fusion within 2 years.

Skin Extension by Multiple Incisions (SEMI).

Background/aim: There is a need for a simple and atraumatic technique for wound closure in soft tissue defects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technique of skin extension by multiple incisions in the healing of soft tissue defects following trauma.

Patients And Methods: This is a retrospective clinical study on soft tissue defects after trauma.

Cadaveric Study on Retrograde Calcaneotibial Fixation of Unstable Ankle Fractures.

Background/aim: In extensive soft tissue injury, primary internal fracture fixation is not always possible and external fixation for primary immobilization plays an important role. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of freehand technique and of a target device for retrograde calcaneotibial fixation in an uninjured bone and an unstable ankle fracture.

Materials And Methods: The calcaneotibial fixation was performed randomly by an experienced surgeon utilizing either a freehand drilling technique or a novel targeting device in four human cadavers before and after producing a bimalleolar ankle fracture.

Mid- to Long-term Outcomes After Split-thickness Skin Graft Skin Extension by Multiple Incisions.

Background/aim: Skin extension by multiple incisions (SEMI) may be superior to split-thickness skin graft (STSG) for closure of large soft tissue defects.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-six patients who had undergone STSG were compared to 29 patients who had undergone SEMI on the extremities. Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS), Dermatology Life Quality Index, Wound QoL (Quality of Life) and Short Form Health Survey 36 were used.

Mid- to Long-term Outcomes After Weber B-type Ankle Fractures With and Without Syndesmotic Rupture.

Background/aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of syndesmotic screw fixation on overall clinical outcomes following Weber B-type ankle fractures.

Materials And Methods: A total of 21 patients with syndesmotic rupture requiring screw fixation were compared to 40 patients with an intact syndesmosis. Olerud-Molander-Ankle-Score, American Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle hindfoot score, and the Short Form Health Survey-36 were recorded.

Clinical and Radiological Mid- to Long-term Outcomes Following Ankle Fusion.

Background: The aims of this study were to establish the likelihood of additional surgery after ankle fusion, determine the interval for developing osteoarthrosis in the ipsilateral subtalar or Chopart joints, and evaluate its clinical relevance.

Material And Methods: A retrospective clinical and radiological study with a minimum follow-up of 24 months was performed. Short-Form 36 Heath Survey, Foot Function Index, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Score (AOFAS) and a visual analog scale (VAS) were used to evaluate pain level and quality of life in at least 62 adult patients.

[Histopathological classification principles of rheumatic joint diseases : Contribution of pathology to the diagnosis].

Even though the diagnostics of rheumatic joint diseases are mostly based on clinical, immunoserological and imaging criteria, histopathology can also make a significant contribution. This is particularly true for clinically unclear monoarticular and periarticular diseases. The contribution of histopathology to the diagnosis of rheumatic diseases is manifold since the histopathological differential diagnosis includes the complete spectrum of synovial diseases.

Comparison of the Grip Strength Using the Martin-Vigorimeter and the JAMAR-Dynamometer: Establishment of Normal Values.

Background/aim: The JAMAR-Dynamometer and the Martin-Vigorimeter are frequently used tools in a hand surgeon's daily routine. This survey is primarily concerned with the establishment of valid conversion factors for measured values of both instruments, as well as the investigation of influence of anatomical characteristics and age and sex on maximal measured grip strength.

Patients And Methods: We registered anamnestic data and specific anatomical conditions in 339 patients, maximal grip strength was measured using all notches of both instruments.

[Tibial pilon fractures : Advoidance and therapy of complications].

Because of the complex fracture morphology and vulnerable soft tissue coverage, fractures of the tibial pilon are difficult to treat. Complications are more common than in bi- or trimalleolar fractures. The surgeon has to know about the special risks of these injuries to avoid complications.