Background: Gratifying long-term results are difficult to achieve when reconstructing osteoarthritic finger joints. Implant surgery is the most commonly used method to restore function and dexterity. However, all types of implant have disadvantages and may be a less favorable option in some cases, especially in young patients with a long expected lifetime and high demands on manual load. Implant related complications as loosening, instability, subsidence and stiffness are the main concerns. In this context, joint reconstruction using rib perichondrium might be a reasonable alternative in selected cases. The aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term results of finger joint reconstruction using rib perichondrial transplantation. Methods: The study group (n = 11) consisted of eight individuals reconstructed in the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints and three reconstructed in the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints during 1974-1981. All patients were evaluated at clinical visits (median: 37 years after perichondrial transplantation, range: 34-41 years) using radiographs, disability in arm-shoulder-hand (DASH) score, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), range-of-motion (ROM) and manual strength (JAMAR). Results: None of the 11 patients had undergone additional surgery. All of the PIP-joints (n = 8) were almost painfree at activity (VAS 0,6) (range 0-4), had an average range-of-motion of 41 degrees (range 5-80) and a mean DASH-score of 8,3 (range 1-51). The mean strength was 41 kg compared to 44 kg in the contralateral hand (93%). The three MCP joints were almost pain-free at activity (VAS 0,7), (range 0-1). The ROM was on average 80 degrees (range 70-90) and the mean DASH-score was 2 (range 1-3). The mean strength was 43 kg compared to 53 kg in the contralateral hand (81%). Conclusions: Perichondrium transplants restored injured PIP and MCP joints that remained essentially pain-free and mostly well-functioning without need for additional surgeries up to 41 years after the procedure. Additional studies are needed to evaluate long-term results in comparison to modern implants and to better describe the factors that determine the outcome of these procedures.

Blood flow determinations by venous occlusion plethysmography applying the strain-gauge technique are frequently used. A problem with the strain-gauge technique is that the relationship between venous volume and transmural pressure is not linear and, furthermore, changes with the sympathetic tone. The present study tests the hypothesis that these factors lead to a redistribution of venous blood, which may impair the accuracy of the technique. The relative volume expansion rates of four leg segments were studied with the leg in different positions and at disparate temperatures, thereby inducing varying venous pressures and sympathetic tone ( n =6). With elevated leg and relaxed veins (at 50 degrees C), the distal thigh showed a relatively low expansion rate (25.8+/-4.5 ml.min(-1).l(-1)), whereas values in the calf segments were higher (34.5-39.0 ml.min(-1).l(-1)). With lower initial transmural pressure, calf segments can increase their volume much more during occlusion compared with the distal thigh. In a higher transmural pressure region (lowered leg), the difference in compliance between limb segments is less. In this case, compliance and volume expansion rate was higher in the distal thigh (14.2, 13.5 and 22.2 ml.min(-1).l(-1) at 10, 20 and 50 degrees C respectively) than in the calf segments (for the distal calf: 6.4, 7.7 and 16.2 ml.min(-1).l(-1) respectively). There was a significant interaction ( P <0.001) between temperature and leg position, indicating a higher degree of sympathetic vasoactivity in the calf. It is concluded that blood flow determination by strain-gauge plethysmography is less accurate, due to a potential redistribution of the venous blood. Therefore possible influences of variations in sympathetic tone and venous pressure must be considered even in intra-individual comparisons, especially in interventional studies.

Background The aim of our study was to compare the long-term outcome after perichondrium transplantation and two-component surface replacement (SR) implants to the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. Methods We evaluated 163 joints in 124 patients, divided into 138 SR implants in 102 patients and 25 perichondrium transplantations in 22 patients. Our primary outcome was any revision surgery of the index joint. Results The median follow-up time was 6 years (0–21) for the SR implants and 26 years (1–37) for the perichondrium transplants. Median age at index surgery was 64 years (24–82) for SR implants and 45 years (18–61) for perichondium transplants. MCP joint survival was slightly better in the perichondrium group (86.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 69.4–100.0) than in the SR implant group (75%; CI 53.8–96.1), but not statistically significantly so (p = 0.4). PIP joint survival was also slightly better in the perichondrium group (80%; CI 55–100) than in the SR implant group (74.7%; CI 66.6–82.7), but below the threshold of statistical significance (p = 0.8). Conclusion In conclusion, resurfacing of finger joints using transplanted perichondrium is a technique worth considering since the method has low revision rates in the medium term and compares favorable to SR implants. Level of evidence III (Therapeutic).

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Background: Finger metacarpal fractures represent up to 31% of all hand fractures, and most can be treated nonoperatively. Whether operative treatment is superior to nonoperative treatment for oblique and/or spiral finger metacarpal shaft fractures (MSFs) is unknown.Methods: Forty-two patients with displaced oblique and/or spiral finger MSFs were randomized to either nonoperative treatment with unrestricted mobilization or operative treatment with screw fixation. The primary outcome was grip strength in the injured hand compared with the uninjured hand at the 1-year follow-up. Secondary outcomes were the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, range of motion, metacarpal shortening, complications, sick leave duration, patient satisfaction, and costs.Results: All patients attended the 1-year follow-up. Mean grip strength relative to that in the contralateral hand was 104% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89% to 120%) in the nonoperative group and 96% (95% CI, 89% to 103%) in the operative group (p = 0.34). Mean metacarpal shortening was 5.3 mm (95% CI, 4.2 to 6.4 mm) in the nonoperative group and 2.3 mm (95% CI, 0.8 to 3.9 mm) in the operative group. In the nonoperative group, 1 minor complication was observed; in the operative group, there were 4 minor complications and 3 reoperations. The costs were estimated at 1,347 U.S. dollars (USD) for nonoperative treatment compared with 3,834 USD for operative treatment. Sick leave duration was significantly shorter in the nonoperative group (12 days [95% CI, 5 to 21 days] versus 35 days [95% CI, 20 to 54 days]) (p = 0.008).Conclusions: When treated with unrestricted mobilization, patients with a single displaced spiral and/or oblique finger MSF have outcomes comparable to those treated operatively, despite metacarpal shortening. Costs are substantially higher (2.8 times) and sick leave is significantly higher in the operative group.

The present results are consistent with the hypothesis that the small muscle injury caused by the inserted microdialysis catheter influences the vascular reactivity to adrenaline in a vasoconstrictive direction.

The volume expansion rate in a particular segment is dependent not only on arterial inflow. Segmental differences in capacity for venous expansion results in redistribution of blood to and from a segment, thus influencing the results obtained.

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