Beugesehnenrupturen nach palmarer Osteosynthese mit einer multidirektional winkelstabilen Platte

[Secondary tendon reconstruction on the thumb]

Closed tendon ruptures of the thumb that require secondary reconstruction can affect the extensor pollicis longus (EPL), extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) and flexor pollicis longus (FPL) tendons. Treatment of rupture of the EPB tendon consists of refixation to the bone and temporary transfixation of the joint. In the case of preexisting or posttraumatic arthrosis, definitive arthrodesis of the thumb is the best procedure. Closed ruptures of the EPL and FPL tendons at the wrist joint cannot be treated by direct tendon suture. Rupture of the EPL tendon occurs after distal radius fractures either due to protruding screws or following conservative treatment especially in undisplaced fractures. Transfer of the extensor indicis tendon to the distal EPL stump is a good option and free interposition of the palmaris longus tendon is a possible alternative. The tension should be adjusted to slight overcorrection, which can be checked intraoperatively by performing the tenodesis test. Closed FPL ruptures at the wrist typically occur 3-6 months after osteosynthesis of distal radius fractures with palmar plates and are mostly characterized by crepitation and pain lasting for several weeks. They can be prevented by premature plate removal, synovectomy and carpal tunnel release. For treatment of a ruptured FPL tendon in adult patients the options for tendon reconstruction should be weighed up against the less complicated tenodesis or arthrodesis of the thumb interphalangeal joint.

Palmar multidirectional fixed-angle plate fixation in distal radius fractures: do intraarticular fractures have a worse outcome than extraarticular fractures?

INTRODUCTION

The results and complications using a palmar plate system with the possibility of multidirectional fixed-angle screw fixation (Aptus® Radius 2.5 mm by Medartis®) for the treatment of unstable distal radius fractures were evaluated in a single cohort study including 62 patients.

PATIENTS

Patients with extra- and intraarticular fractures were evaluated separately. The mean follow-up was 14.7 months. Active wrist motion averaged 60.1° extension, 52.0° flexion, 86.3° pronation, and 84.6° supination. Grip strength averaged 89% of the contralateral wrist.

RESULTS

There was no loss of the initial reduction with bony union in all cases. The mean DASH-score was 12.6 points. Postoperative complications included two extensor pollicis longus tendon ruptures, two median nerve compression syndromes, one complex regional pain syndrome, and one postoperative haematoma. In our series the results of the intraarticular fracture group were similar to the extraarticular fracture group. The complication rate, however, was substantially higher in the intraarticular fracture group.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that palmar plating with multidirectional fixed-angle screw insertion is an effective and useful treatment option, especially for complex intraarticular distal radius fractures.

Resistive testing in a patient with suspected zone I flexor tendon injury

Lacerations are the major cause of flexor tendon injury in zone I and they are most commonly missed due to incomplete examinations. We report a case of lacerated flexor tendon injury in Zone I closed without explorations and which was referred to occupational therapy with the diagnosis of stiff hand. The patient received therapy for his stiff hand following which he could flex the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) on blocking the proximal interphalangeal joint but failed to flex his DIP joint on making a composite fist. With resistive testing the patient failed to initiate resistance on flexion. The patient was referred back to the hand surgeon and subsquently diagnosed with a flexor tendon injury.

Zone I rupture of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon caused by blunt trauma: a case report

Traumatic ruptures of flexor tendons as a result of blunt trauma without an associated pathologic condition are rare. This is a case of a midsubstance flexor tendon rupture as a result of closed direct trauma. The patient sustained a flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) rupture 1 cm proximal to its insertion on his right ring finger without any accompanying laceration. Additionally, this case highlights the utility of ultrasound in diagnosing ruptured flexor tendon, which has been demonstrated in prior studies.