A Population-Based Assessment of Depression and Anxiety in Patients With Brachial Plexus Injuries.

Purpose: Reactive depression and anxiety are common after major life changes such as brachial plexus injuries (BPI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for coded depression and coded anxiety among patients with BPI using a national database of commercial insurance claims.

Methods: We used the Truven MarketScan database from 2007 to 2013 to identify commercially insured patients aged 18 to 64 years who underwent BPI surgery.

Treating Congenital Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Contracture.

The management of congenital proximal interphalangeal joint deformity, also known as camptodactyly, is challenging. There are numerous theories on the cause of this abnormal finger posture, leading to variations in classification, definition, and treatment approaches. This article assesses the previous literature and provides clarity and guidance for the practical treatment of camptodactyly.

Arthroscopic Diagnosis of the Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex Foveal Tear: A Cadaver Assessment.

Purpose: To determine whether the arthroscopic hook and trampoline tests are accurate and reliable diagnostic tests for foveal triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) detachment.

Methods: Wrist arthroscopy was performed on 10 cadaveric upper extremities. Arthroscopic hook and trampoline tests were performed and videos recorded (baseline).

Management of soft tissue defects of the hand.

Soft tissue coverage of the hand remains a challenging problem to the hand surgeon, but advances in the field of microsurgery have provided improved thin, pliable, durable flaps that offer cosmetic reconstructive options. The reconstructive elevator is poised to replace the reconstructive ladder, thereby allowing early reconstruction by the best available option. This reviews focus on the variety of pedicled, free fasciocutaneous, and venous flaps available for successful soft tissue coverage of the hand.

Effect of scapular dyskinesis on supraspinatus repair healing in a rat model.

Background: Rotator cuff tears are common conditions that often require surgical repair to improve function and to relieve pain. Unfortunately, repair failure remains a common problem after rotator cuff repair surgery. Several factors may contribute to repair failure, including age, tear size, and time from injury.

Overuse activity in the presence of scapular dyskinesis leads to shoulder tendon damage in a rat model.

Shoulder tendon injuries are common clinical conditions and are a significant source of pain and dysfunction. These conditions are more common in individuals who perform repetitive overhead activities and in individuals who have abnormal scapular kinematics, termed scapular dyskinesis (SD). However, the long term consequences associated with overuse activity in the presence of SD are unknown.

Effect of isolated hyperglycemia on native mechanical and biologic shoulder joint properties in a rat model.

Recently, diabetes has been linked to rotator cuff disease and adhesive capsulitis, conditions with increased stiffness and inflammation. Unfortunately, limited research exists examining how hyperglycemia affects the native shoulder (tendon and capsule) properties. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to compare shoulder joint mechanics, tendon properties (mechanics and immunohistochemistry), and capsule of healthy control and hyperglycemic rats 8 weeks following induction of hyperglycemia with a submaximal dose of streptozotocin (STZ).

Scapular dyskinesis is detrimental to shoulder tendon properties and joint mechanics in a rat model.

Shoulder tendon injuries are frequently seen in the presence of abnormal scapular motion, termed scapular dyskinesis. The cause and effect relationship between scapular dyskinesis and shoulder injury has not been directly defined. We developed and used an animal model to examine the initiation and progression of pathological changes in the rotator cuff and biceps tendon.

Efficacy of various analgesics on shoulder function and rotator cuff tendon-to-bone healing in a rat (Rattus norvegicus) model.

Although relief of postoperative pain is an imperative aspect of animal welfare, analgesics that do not interfere with the scientific goals of the study must be used. Here we compared the efficacy of different analgesic agents by using an established rat model of supraspinatus tendon healing and a novel gait-analysis system. We hypothesized that different analgesic agents would all provide pain relief in this model but would cause differences in tendon-to-bone healing and gait parameters.

Biceps detachment decreases joint damage in a rotator cuff tear rat model.

Background: Pathology in the long head of the biceps tendon often occurs in patients with rotator cuff tears. Arthroscopic tenotomy is the most common treatment. However, the role of the long head of the biceps at the shoulder and the consequences of surgical detachment on the remaining shoulder structures remain unknown.

The detrimental effects of systemic Ibuprofen delivery on tendon healing are time-dependent.

Background: Current clinical treatment after tendon repairs often includes prescribing NSAIDs to limit pain and inflammation. The negative influence of NSAIDs on bone repair is well documented, but their effects on tendon healing are less clear. While NSAIDs may be detrimental to early tendon healing, some evidence suggests that they may improve healing if administered later in the repair process.

Structure-function relationships of postnatal tendon development: a parallel to healing.

This review highlights recent research on structure-function relationships in tendon and comments on the parallels between development and healing. The processes of tendon development and collagen fibrillogenesis are reviewed, but due to the abundance of information in this field, this work focuses primarily on characterizing the mechanical behavior of mature and developing tendon, and how the latter parallels healing tendon. The role that extracellular matrix components, mainly collagen, proteoglycans, and collagen cross-links, play in determining the mechanical behavior of tendon will be examined in this review.