BackgroundThe aim of this study was to analyze the causes that lead to secondary damage of the radial nerve and to discuss the results of reconstructive treatment.Material/MethodsThe study group consisted of 33 patients treated for radial nerve palsy after humeral fractures. Patients were diagnosed based on clinical examinations, ultrasonography, electromyography, or nerve conduction velocity. During each operation, the location and type of nerve damage were analyzed. During the reconstructive treatment, neurolysis, direct neurorrhaphy, or reconstruction with a sural nerve graft was used. The outcomes were evaluated using the Medical Research Council (MRC) scales and the quick DASH score.ResultsSecondary radial nerve palsy occurs after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) by plate, as well as by closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) by nail. In the case of ORIF, it most often occurs when the lateral approach is used, as in the case of CRIF with an insertion interlocking screws. The results of the surgical treatment were statistically significant and depended on the time between nerve injury and revision (reconstruction) surgery, type of damage to the radial nerve, surgery treatment, and type of fixation. Treatment results were not statistically significant, depending on the type of fracture or location of the nerve injury.ConclusionsThe potential risk of radial nerve neurotmesis justifies an operative intervention to treat neurological complications after a humeral fracture. Adequate surgical treatment in many of these cases allows for functional recovery of the radial nerve.

BackgroundTo date, no consensus has been reached regarding the preferred fixation method to use in the repair of distal biceps brachii tendon rupture. The aim of this study was to clinically and functionally (Mayo Elbow Performance Index, MEPI) assess the upper limb after surgical anatomic reinsertion of the distal biceps brachii tendon with the use of suture anchor fixation method with regard to postoperative time and limb dominance, and to assess postoperative complications.Material/MethodsThe sample comprised 18 males (age 52.09±8.89 years) after surgical anatomical distal biceps brachii reinsertion using suture anchor fixation. A comprehensive clinical and functional evaluation and pain assessment were performed.ResultsIn terms of postoperative complications, an isolated case of surgical site sensory disturbances was noted. Circumferences (p-value 0.21–1.00) and ROM (p-value 0.07–1.00) were similar in the operated and nonoperated limbs. The isometric torque (IT) values of muscles flexing and supinating the forearm were comparable in both limbs (p-value 0.14–0.95), but in patients with the operated dominant limb, the mean IT value was not higher than the value obtained in the nonoperated nondominant one. The MEPI indicated good and excellent results (80.00±15.00–90.00±8.66 points), but a detailed individual analysis showed that reported scores were not in line with objectively measured features.ConclusionsThe results of the comprehensive retrospective evaluation justify the clinical use of suture anchors fixation method in the surgical anatomical reinsertion of a ruptured distal biceps brachii tendon. The assessment of a patient should always report both subjective and objective measures.

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This research was financially supported by the Ministry of Health subvention according to number of STM.E067.20.112 from the IT Simple system of Wroclaw Medical University.

Osteomyelitis in patients undergoing surgery because of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system is a serious clinical, economic and social problem. It is one of the greatest therapeutic challenges in traumatology and orthopedic surgery. To achieve the best results in the treatment of osteomyelitis, surgical debridement and intravenous antibiotic therapy is supported by local antibiotic delivery. Many different substances can be used as drug carriers. In this study we present and compare some polymers used as carriers of gentamicin. Some of them, such as poly(methyl methacrylate), are well known and have been used for 30 years, and others, such as polycaprolactone, polyacrylic acid, polyanhydrides, poly-trimethylene carbonate, polylactide, polyglycolide and poly(trimethylene carbonate), are perspectives for the future. In this study, we have tried to briefly present all of these polymers and compare some of their features. We have concentrated on the pharmacokinetics and bioactivity of such implants, which are important aspects for their potential practical use.

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Background. Due to the low potential for primary biological healing of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the most popular approach is currently reconstruction using a graft. Recent research indicates that the technique of strengthening a damaged ligament with synthetic tapes (internal bracing) may be an alternative to reconstructive treatment, especially in cases of partial ACL damage.Objectives. To compare and evaluate the possibility of using a synthetic graft (Neoligaments or FiberTape) to treat partial lesions of the ACL. Materials and methods.This was a retrospective cohort study. Selected from a pool of 128 patients undergoing primary unilateral intra-articular ACL reconstruction due to partial lesion of the ACL, group I (Neoligaments) and group II (FiberTape) each included 30 patients. Range of motion (ROM), the Lachman test, the anterior drawer test and the pivot-shift test, the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) 2000 scale were used for assessment. Follow-up was carried out after 2 years.Results. The knee joint regained anterior stability in both the subjective and objective assessments in all patients in both groups. The subjective results were respectively: in group I, 97.2 ±3.2 points on the Lysholm scale and 93.9 ±6. 1 points on the IKDC 2000 scale; in group II, 96. 1 ±4.9 points on the Lysholm scale and 93.2 ±6.8 points on the IKDC 2000 scale. Group comparison of the results of the IKDC 2000 scale, Lysholm Scale and ROM obtained postoperatively showed no statistically significant differences between groups.Conclusions. Reconstruction of partial ACL lesions using a synthetic graft allows regained stability of the knee joint. The results of subjective assessment are comparable with the functional assessment results. The comparison between Neoligaments and FiberTape shows the same functional and objective results, although FiberTape is preferable from an economical perspective.

BackgroundAlthough iatrogenic posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) palsy is an uncommon complication of ruptured distal biceps brachii tendon surgical anatomical reinsertion, it is the most severe complication leading to functional limitation. The present study investigated possible types of PIN palsy as a postoperative complication of anatomical distal biceps tendon reinsertion, and aimed to clinically assess patients at 2 years after its surgical treatment.Material/MethodsThe studied sample comprised 7 male patients diagnosed with an iatrogenic PIN palsies after anatomical reinsertion of the distal biceps tendon, who were referred to the reference center for management of a peripheral nervous system injury. The nerve injury was intraoperatively evaluated. The clinical assessment used the Medical Research Council (MRC) System for motor recovery, and the Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (Quick DASH) was performed before the surgical treatment of the PIN injuries and at 2 years postoperatively. In all studied cases, electromyography was performed preoperatively and postoperatively.ResultsThe comparison of the preoperative (x=1.43±0.53) and postoperative (x=4.71±0.49) results of the motor recovery of the PIN demonstrated a statistically significant improvement (p<0.001). Moreover, the results of functional assessments with the use of the Quick DASH questionnaire significantly improved (p<0.001) postoperatively (x=6.14±6.86) compared to the preoperative evaluations (x=54.29±12.05).ConclusionsThe PIN palsies as complications of the surgical anatomical reinsertion of ruptured distal biceps brachii resulted from mechanical nerve compression or direct intraoperative damage. The 2-year outcomes justified the clinical use of surgical management for iatrogenic PIN palsy.