Biomechanical Study of the Digital Flexor Tendon Sliding Lengthening Technique.

Purpose: To compare the mechanical properties of sliding lengthening (SL) and Z-lengthening (ZL) for flexor tendon elongation used for conditions such as Volkmann contracture, cerebral palsy, and poststroke spasticity.

Methods: We harvested 56 flexor tendons, including flexor pollicis longus tendons, flexor digitorum superficialis tendons (zones II to IV), and flexor digitorum profundus tendons (zones II to V) from 24 upper limbs of 12 fresh cadavers. Each tendon was harvested together with its homonymous tendon from the opposite side of the cadaver and paired.

The Effect of 1-Ethyl-3-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl) Carbodiimide Suture Coating on Tendon Repair Strength and Cell Viability in a Canine Model.

Purpose: To determine if impregnating a suture with a cross-linking agent, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), improved suture pull-out strength and cell viability.

Methods: Canine flexor digitorum profundus tendons were cut in canine zone D, and a single suture loop was placed in each end, with sutures soaked in either saline or an EDC solution with a concentration of 1%, 10%, or 50%. Suture pull-out strength, stiffness, and elongation to failure was determined by pulling the loop until failure.

The effect of Anti-NGF receptor (p75 Neurotrophin Receptor) antibodies on nociceptive behavior and activation of spinal microglia in the rat brachial plexus avulsion model.

Study Design: We measured the response of the behavior and spinal glial activation to anti-nerve growth factor receptor (p75 neurotrophin receptor [p75NTR]) antibodies in the rat brachial plexus avulsion (BPA) model.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of anti-p75NTR antibodies on nociceptive behavior and activation of spinal microglia in the rat BPA model.

Summary Of Background Data: Tanezumab (anti-nerve growth factor antibody) treatment is associated with pain reduction and improvement in function, but with several complications.

Fractional Fowler tenotomy for chronic mallet finger: a cadaveric biomechanical study.

Purpose: The Fowler tenotomy, adjusting the balance of the extensor mechanism by central slip and lateral band detachment, is a common surgical technique for chronic mallet finger. The purpose of this study was to determine how much tendon to detach from the middle phalanx by measuring the extensor lag of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint following the procedure and to quantify how often a boutonniere deformity occurred as a consequence of the procedure.

Methods: Sixteen fingers were obtained from 8 fresh-frozen cadaver hands.

Evaluation of behavior and neuropeptide markers of pain in a simple, sciatic nerve-pinch pain model in rats.

Pathomechanisms of injured-nerve pain have not been fully elucidated. Radicular pain and chronic constriction injury models have been established; however, producing these models is complicated. A sciatic nerve-pinch injury is easy to produce but the reliability of this model for evaluating pain behavior has not been examined.