Do the dimensions of the distal phalanges allow suture anchor fixation of the flexor digitorum profundus? A cadaver study.

This study was done to identify whether the dimensions of the distal phalanges allow suture anchor fixation of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon. Forty pairs of hands were dissected to measure the anteroposterior and lateral dimensions of distal phalanges of all digits. The mean anteroposterior depth of the distal phalanx at the insertion of the tendon was found to be 4.

Medium term results of reverse total shoulder replacement in patients with rotator cuff arthropathy.

Background: The Delta III total shoulder replacement is a reversed, semi-constrained prosthesis and is recommended for the management of rotator cuff arthropathy.

Methods: We performed a retrospective mid-term review of the Delta shoulder replacements performed during 2000-2005 with a minimum 18-month follow-up. We recorded the pre-operative and post-operative constant scores.

Metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma mimicking osteomyelitis of second toe.

Recurrence of gastric carcinoma most frequently involves abdominal distension and usually occurs with in 5 years of primary surgery. Recurrence more than 8 years after surgery is extremely rare and bony metastasis occurs only in 0-17% cases of gastric carcinoma. We present a case of metastasis to the second toe which occurred 12 years after the initial surgery.

Viable cells survive in fresh frozen human bone allografts.

Background: Fresh frozen bone allograft is available for human recipients after at least 6 months of quarantine at -80 degrees C. It is assumed that cryopreservation without cryoprotectant removes all viable donor cells.

Methods: We studied the in vitro cell growth from samples of fresh frozen human femoral head allografts after they had been released for patient use, and compared it with cell growth from a control group of fresh cancellous bone specimens from excised femoral heads (8 samples in each group).

Localized pigmented villonodular synovitis: arthroscopic treatment of a lesion arising from the quadriceps tendon sheath.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) is a rare benign proliferative growth of synovium of obscure etiology with a wide spectrum of clinical presentation. Localized PVNS, also known as giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath, is even more uncommon. Localized PVNS of the knee is a rare, idiopathic condition presenting with symptoms that can mimic other intra-articular pathologies.

Visualisation of the pisotriquetral joint through standard portals for arthroscopy of the wrist: a clinical and anatomical study.

Disorders of the pisotriquetral joint are well recognised as the cause of pain on the ulnar side of the wrist. The joint is not usually examined during routine arthroscopy because it is assumed to have a separate joint cavity to the radiocarpal joint, although there is often a connection between the two. We explored this connection during arthroscopy and in fresh-frozen cadaver wrists and found that in about half of the cases the pisotriquetral joint could be visualised through standard wrist portals.

Distraction osteogenesis to improve limb function in congenital bilateral humeroradioulnar synostosis.

Congenital bilateral humeroradioulnar fusion of the elbow is rare. Many patients tolerate unilateral elbow stiffness very well, but bilateral fixed elbows are very disabling. We report the management of a 13-year-old patient using the Ilizarov technique.

Comparative study of ankle arthrodesis using cross screw fixation versus anterior contoured plate plus cross screw fixation.

Arthrodesis of the ankle joint is still the traditional treatment for symptomatic osteoarthritis. This comparative study was done to assess the functional outcome of open ankle fusion using either cross screw fixation (group A) or anterior contoured plate and cross screw fixation (group B) in a consecutive series of 22 patients. All the patients had the same inclusion criteria.

Stereolithographic models for biomechanical testing.

Variable properties and limited availability are pitfalls in using cadaveric bones for implant stability tests. Artificial bones avoid these, but tailoring them to specific studies may be difficult. Stereolithography (SLA) techniques produce tailor-made bones with realistic geometries, but their lower Young's modulus might affect outcomes.

Rare presentation of osteoarticular tuberculosis.

The varied clinical presentation of osteoarticular tuberculosis makes the diagnosis an enigma. This report underlines the fact that osteoarticular tuberculosis can present in the most atypical pattern. It also emphasises the need for a high index of clinical suspicion and the low threshold for tissue biopsy for establishing the diagnosis.