A controversy still exists in the management of nerve injection injury. The results of different timing of operation and methods in treating this type of nerve injury were analysed in limb s function, neuroelectrophysiology and histology. The results showed that the recovery of the injuried nerve in the group of operation, was considerably better than that in the group without operation. In the group of operation early incision of the epineurium with saline irrigation! was superior to late neurolysis. It was suggested that the early incision with saline irrigation could be used as an emergency management for this type of nerve injury.
Objective To investigate the methods and outcome of endoscopic ulnar neurolysis and minimal medial epicondylectomy in treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome with ulnar nerve subluxation. Methods Between June 2004 and June 2009, 11 cases of cubital tunnel syndrome with ulnar nerve subluxation were treated with endoscopic ulnar neurolysis andminimal medial epicondylectomy. There were 7 males and 4 females with an average age of 36 years (range, 18-47 years). All cases had numbness in l ittle finger and ring finger. The disease duration varied from 3 to 18 months (7 months on average). Nine cases had atrophy in the first dorsal interosseous muscle and hypothenar muscles. The preoperative electromyography showed that the ulnar nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were slowed down at elbow, which was (27.0 ± 1.5) m/s. Results All incisions healed by first intention, and no compl ication occurred. Eleven cases were followed up 6-37 months (19 months on average). All cases had normal sensation after 1 month of operation. The muscle strength was obviously improved in 11 cases after 3 months postoperatively (grade 4 in 7 cases and grade 3-4 in 4 cases). The postoperative electromyography showed that the NCV was obviously improved, which was (43.5 ± 9.5) m/s, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (P lt; 0.05). According to Amadio’ efficacy appraisal standard, the results were excellent in 7 cases and good in 4 cases. Conclusion The method of endoscopic ulnar neurolysis and minimal medial epicondylectomy has the advantages of safety, convenient manipulation, small incision, and early recovery for cubital tunnel syndrome with ulnar nerve subluxation.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of retrograde muscle release in treatment of mild to moderate type ischemic muscle contracture of forearm classified by Tsuge.MethodsBetween March 2010 and September 2018, 11 patients with mild to moderate ischemic muscle contracture of forearm were treated with retrograde muscle release. There were 6 males and 5 females with an average age of 24 years (range, 16-29 years). According to Tsuge classification, 6 cases were mild type and 5 cases were moderate type. The interval between injury and operation was 9 months to 25 years, with a median of 17 years. The scar cords in the muscle of the middle one-third of the forearm was released firstly. If the standard of sufficient release was not reached, further releasing the scar cords in the muscle and the tense tendon structure in the proximal one-third of the forearm and the origins of the flexor muscles was necessary. If the standard was still not reached, the origins of the flexor muscles can be released and slid. The effectiveness was evaluated from six aspects of the range of motion of the hand and wrist, dexterity, grip strength, sensation, subjective function scores [quick-disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand questionnaire (Quick-DASH) and the patient-related wrist/hand evaluation (PRWHE)] and satisfaction.ResultsAll the incisions healed by first intention. Eight patients were followed up 1-106 months (median, 13 months). The range of motion of the hand and wrist was significantly improved, the results were excellent in 3 cases, good in 3 cases, and fair in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 75%. The patient’s dexterity evaluation scored a perfect score of 12, which was close to the normal hand dexterity. At last follow-up, the grip strength on the affected side was 37.6%-95.5% of the contralateral side, with an average of 77.6%. Seven patients had normal sensation before and after operation, and the two-point discrimination of median nerve and ulnar nerve was 4-5 mm at last follow-up; 1 patient with forearm mechanical crush injury still felt numb after operation, and the two-point discrimination of median nerve and ulnar nerve was 8 mm and 7 mm, respectively. The Quick-DASH score was 0-15.9, with an average of 4.5, and the PRWHE score was 0-23.0, with an average of 6.6. All the patients were satisfied with the surgery and the effectiveness.ConclusionA targeted retrograde muscle release method for mild to moderate type ischemic contracture of forearm can achieve satisfactory effectiveness.
Objective To investigate the procedure and effectiveness of medial patellofemoral l igament (MPFL) reconstruction for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation. Methods Between June 2005 and September 2007, 29 patients with recurrent patellar dislocation underwent MPFL reconstruction with allograft semitendinosus or allograft anterior tibial is tendon. There were 6 males and 23 females with an average age of 20.3 years (range, 13-45 years). The patients sufferedfrom 2-10 times patellar dislocation preoperatively. The average time between last dislocation and surgery was 43.9 months (range, 1-144 months). CT scan was performed to measure the tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance (TT-TG). The femoral tunnel was made at the origin of MPFL insertion, just inferior to the medial epicondyle. The double L-shape patellar tunnels were made on the medial rim of patella with 4.5 mm in diameter. The loop side of the graft was fixed with a bioabsorbable interference screw in the femoral tunnel both ends of the graft. For the TT-TG was more than 20 mm, a modified Elmsl ie-Trillat osteotomy was performed to correct the distal al ignment of patella. The arthroscopic examination was also performed for loosebody and lateral retinacular release. Results Twenty-seven patients were followed up 45.5 months on average (range, 40-67 months). No recurrent dislocation or subdislocation occurred. All the patients showed negative apprehension test at 0° and 30° flexions of knee. The range of motion of knee restored normal 1 year after operation. The Kujala score was improved from 72.03 ± 17.38 preoperatively to 94.10 ± 7.59 postoperatively, and Lysholm score was improved from 72.65 ± 14.70 to 95.44 ± 6.25, both showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The Tegner score was decreased from 5.25 ± 1.83 preoperatively to 4.33 ± 1.00 postoperatively, showing no significant difference (t=1.302, P=0.213). In patients whose TT-TG was more than 20 mm, TTTG was decreased from (23.38 ± 3.70) mm to (16.88 ± 5.92) mm at last follow-up, showing significant difference (t=2.822,P=0.026). Conclusion The technique of MPFL reconstruction is an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation, which can improve the patella stabil ity and knee function.
ObjectiveTo observe the effectiveness of open release combined with distal radius fixation hinged external fixation for the treatment of elbow stiffness.MethodsA total of 77 patients with elbow stiffness caused by trauma were enrolled in this study between October 2014 and October 2015. The patients were divided into control group (39 cases) and observation group (38 cases) by random number table method. The patients in the observation group were treated with elbow joint opening and release combined with distal radial fixation hinged external fixation, while the control group was treated with traditional release. There was no significant difference in gender, age, disease causes, original damage diagnosis, the time from injury to operation, preoperative flexion and extension activity of elbow joint, and preoperative Mayo elbow joint function score between 2 groups (P>0.05). After operation, the function of elbow joint was evaluated by the flexion and extension activity of the elbow joint and the Mayo elbow joint function evaluation standard.ResultsThe incisions healed by first intention in 2 groups. In observation group, there were 1 case infection of nail tract, 2 cases ulnar nerve symptoms, 1 case elbow ossification, and 1 case moderate pain in the elbow; while in control group, there were 2 cases of infection of nail tract, 2 cases of ulnar nerve symptoms, and 3 cases moderate pain in the elbow. The patients in 2 groups were followed up 6 weeks to 12 months, with an average of 6 months. The flexion and extension activity of elbow joint and Mayo elbow joint function score at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05); at last follow-up, the flexion and extension activity of elbow joint and Mayo elbow joint function score in observation group patients were significantly better than those in control group (P<0.05). According to the Mayo elbow function evaluation standard, the results were excellent in 27 cases, good in 10 cases, and fair in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 97.4% in observation group; and the results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 21 cases, fair in 4 cases, and poor in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 84.6% in control group; showing no significant difference between 2 groups (P=0.108).ConclusionOpen release combined with distal radius fixation hinged external fixation can significantly improve the elbow function of patients with traumatic elbow stiffness, its recovery of elbow function was superior to the traditional release.
Talipes equinovarus is a very common con-genital foot deformity. From 1985 till 1989,tatalof 30 feet in 23 Patients had been operated by theauthor using subtalar realigment procedure afterall the necessayr release with neurovascular bundleprotected. The position was kept by 2 Kirschner swires,one through talonavicular joint into the talus and other through calcaneous vertically upward into the talus without penetrating into the anklejoint. The total period of plaster immobilizationranged from 8 to 12 weeks. The average age at surgery 6 months old.The results were excellent in 24 feet, good in 5 and less satisfactory in 1 due to overcorrection.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release in the treatment of non-traumatic elbow stiffness. MethodsThe clinical data of 15 patients with non-traumatic elbow stiffness treated with arthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release between April 2019 and September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 6 males and 9 females with an average age of 46 years ranging from 34 to 56 years. The causes included rheumatoid arthritis in 3 cases, gouty arthritis in 2 cases, loose bodies in 3 cases, and elbow osteoarthritis in 7 cases. There were 4 cases with ulnar neuritis and 3 cases with synovial osteochondromatosis. The duration of elbow stiffness ranged from 6 to 18 months, with an average of 10 months. The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. The effectiveness was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) score, range of elbow motion (maximum flexion, maximum extension, and total flexion and extension), Mayo score, and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) elbow score. ResultsThe operation time was 60-90 minutes, with an average of 65 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss was 40-100 mL, with an average of 62 mL. All patients were followed up 13-18 months, with an average of 14 months. There was no complication such as vascular and nerve injury, poor wound healing, collateral ligament injury, elbow joint space narrowing, osteophyte proliferation, or loose body formation around the joint. At last follow-up, the elbow range of motion (maximum flexion, maximum extension, and total flexion and extension), VAS score, and Mayo score significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). The HSS elbow score was 85-95, with an average of 92; 12 cases were excellent, 3 cases were good, and the excellent and good rate was 100%. ConclusionArthroscopic release of elbow joint assisted by medial small incision ulnar nerve release is an effective way to treat non-traumatic elbow stiffness, which has the advantages of small trauma, short operation time, and good effectiveness. It can carry out early elbow rehabilitation training and significantly improve elbow function.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of regeneration and conduction function for peripheral nerve after neurolysis by nerve special staining and electrophysiology. METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into four groups(n = 15), four methods were designed on rats models of sciatic nerve compression. There were simple decompression as group A, internal neurolysis after decompression as group B, lemithason(0.5 mg/kg) injected in the epineurium after decompression as group C, and lemithason(0.5 mg/kg) injected around the epineurium after decompression and internal neurolysis as group D. Motor nerve conduction velocity(MNCV) and motor latency (Lan) were monitored at 1,2,3,4,5 weeks after decompression, sections were regularly taken from the previously compressed area to perform morphometric analysis. RESULTS: After 2 weeks of decompression, the significant recovery were observed in both MNCV and Lan of four groups. Up to the 5th week of decompression, recovery of electrophysiology was significantly faster in group C and D than that of group A and B, particular in group C(P lt; 0.05), while group A compared with group B, there was no statistical difference in both MNCV and Lan(P gt; 0.05). Morphometric analysis showed that a lot of neural regeneration fibers were observed in group C and D after 3 weeks of decompression. CONCLUSION: Decompression can improve nerve conduction function significantly, while injection of lemithason in epineurium after decompression can promote the structure and function recovery of injured nerve.