Infections of the hand: An overview

▪Infections of the hand are common entities that are frequently encountered by orthopaedic surgeons and primary care physicians. ▪A high clinical suspicion and a thorough medical history with information about the social and working history of the patients, correct identification of the type and cause of the infection, and prompt initiation of appropriate treatment by the infectious diseases physicians and orthopaedic surgeons are required. ▪Late diagnosis and inappropriate treatment may be a significant cause of morbidity for the hand and mortality for the patients. This article reviews the clinical spectrum and microbiology of the most common infections of the hand, and discusses the current concepts for their treatment. The aim is to increase the awareness of the treating physicians of the diagnosis and management of infections in the hand. © 2019 The British Editorial Society of Bone & Joint Surgery

Tenosynovitis of a digit due to Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae: case report and review of the literature

Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae is a Gram-positive bacterium that in humans causes skin infections, such as erysipeloid, as a result of direct contact with contaminated animals or their waste or products. We present the first reported case of tenosynovitis of a finger in a 30-year-old woman

Arthroscopic versus open Latarjet: a step-by-step comprehensive and systematic review

Purpose: To investigate whether arthroscopic Latarjet procedure significantly differs from the open procedure as for the clinical, functional and radiographic outcomes. Methods: Two reviewers independently conducted a systematic search according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses using the MEDLINE/PubMed database and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. These databases were queried with the terms “shoulder” AND “anterior” AND “instability” AND “Latarjet”. Results: From the 259 initial papers, we finally assessed five clinical studies which were eligible to our inclusion–exclusion criteria. The mean modified Coleman score for methodological deficiencies of the studies was 65.4/100, whereas it ranged from 53/100 to 77/100. The arthroscopic technique illustrated comparable results to the open technique regarding the postoperative recurrence rate. No significant difference was found amongst groups in relation to the postoperative osteoarthritis, infection rates, soft tissue healing, postoperative mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, mean Walch–Duplay score, fatty infiltration of the subscapularis muscle and posterior protrusion of the screw. The arthroscopic technique yielded significantly superior results as for the non-union rate of the graft, the total graft osteolysis and graft resorption, the mean Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index score and the early postoperative pain. Conclusions: Both the open and the arthroscopic Latarjet procedures led to satisfactory radiographic and clinical outcomes for the treatment of patients with recurrent anterior shoulder instability and significant glenoid bone loss. However, the overall quality of the studies ranged from low to moderate. Level of evidence: Comprehensive and systematic review of level II–III therapeutic studies. © 2019, Springer-Verlag France SAS, part of Springer Nature

Cross-cultural validation of the Oxford Elbow Score and Mayo Elbow Performance Score in Greek

Background: Oxford Elbow Score (OES) and Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) are two of the most commonly used instruments for the functional assessment of elbow joint. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally validate the OES and MEPS into Greek language and examine their convergent validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and floor and ceiling effects. Methods: The two instruments were translated into Greek with the back translation method. Their final Greek versions (OES-GR and MEPS-GR) were completed by 40 patients with elbow disorders. The patients completed also the Greek version of the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH-GR). The patients re-completed the OES-GR after 24 h. Results: The OES-GR was found to have good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.85, 95%CI = 0.74–0.92), in contrast to the MEPS-GR (Cronbach's α = 0.47, 95%CI = 0.15–0.70). Both instruments were found to have good convergent validity with the DASH-GR (for MEPS-GR rs = −0.64, 95% CI -0.79 to −0.41; for OES-GR rs = −0.84, 95%CI = −0.91 to −0.72). Good was also the convergent validity of the OES-GR with the MEPS-GR (rs = 0.71, 95%CI = 0.51 to 0.84). The test-retest reliability for each domain of the OES-GR was found good to excellent (total score ICC = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.83–0.95; pain ICC = 0.90, 95%CI = 0.81–0.95; function ICC = 0.81, 95%CI = 0.68–0.90; social-psychological ICC = 0.91, 95%CI = 0.84–0.95). Conclusion: The findings about the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, convergent validity and ceiling/floor effects of the OES-GR suggest that it is a quite valid and reliable instrument which can be used with confidence in Greek patients with elbow disorders. Level of evidence: N/A © 202

In the Shoulder or in the Brain? Behavioral, Psychosocial and Cognitive Characteristics of Unilateral Chronic Shoulder Pain with Symptoms of Central Sensitization

The recognition of central sensitization (CS) is crucial, as it determines the results of rehabilitation. The aim of this study was to examine associations between CS and catastrophizing, functionality, disability, illness perceptions, kinesiophobia, anxiety, and depression in people with chronic shoulder pain (SP). In this cross-sectional study, 64 patients with unilateral chronic SP completed a few questionnaires including the Central Sensitization Inventory, the Oxford Shoulder Score, the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the “arm endurance” test. On the basis of three constructed linear regression models, it was found that pain catastrophizing and depression (model 1: p < 0.001, R = 0.57, R2 = 0.33), functionality (model 2: p < 0.001, R = 0.50, R2 = 0.25), and helplessness (model 3: p < 0.001, R = 0.53, R2 = 0.28) were significant predictors for CS symptoms in chronic SP. Two additional logistic regression models also showed that depression (model 4: p < 0.001, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.43, overall correct prediction 87.5%) and functionality (model 5: p < 0.001, Nagelkerke R2 = 0.26, overall correct prediction 84.4%) can significantly predict the classification of chronic SP as centrally sensitized. Patients who were classified as centrally sensitized (n = 10) were found to have significantly worse functionality, psychological factors (anxiety, depression, kinesiophobia, catastrophizing), and pain intensity (p < 0.05). Catastrophizing, depression, and functionality are predictive factors of CS symptoms in patients with chronic shoulder pain. Health care providers should adopt a precision medicine approach during assessment and a holistic rehabilitation of patients with unilateral chronic SP. © 2022 by the authors

Bone grafting in primary and revision reverse total shoulder arthroplasty for the management of glenoid bone loss: A systematic review

Purpose: We performed a systematic review of the studies including clinical/functional outcomes and complications of bone grafting for glenoid defects in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). Methods: The PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched for relevant papers. Results: Thirteen articles were included. The mean clinical/functional subjective scores significantly improved postoperatively. The implant revision rate for primary and revision RTSA was 3.1% and 21.1% respectively. The reoperation rate was 3.5% and 24.4% respectively. Conclusions: There was moderate evidence that bone grafting is effective for glenoid defects in primary RTSA. Further high-quality research is required about revision RTSA for moderate-to-severe glenoid defects. © 2019 Professor P K Surendran Memorial Education Foundatio

Ganglion Cysts of the Proximal Tibiofibular Joint: Low Risk of Recurrence After Total Cyst Excision

BACKGROUND: Peroneal nerve neuropathy due to compression from tumors or tumor-like lesions such as ganglion cysts is rare. Few case series have been published and reported local recurrence rates are high, while secondary procedures are frequently employed. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) What are the demographics of patients with ganglion cysts of the proximal tibiofibular joint, and what proportion of them present with intraneural cysts and peroneal nerve palsy? (2) What Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores do patients with this condition achieve after decompression surgery with removal of the ganglion cyst, but no arthrodesis of the tibiofibular joint? (3) What proportion of patients experience local recurrence after surgery? METHODS: Between 2009 to 2018, 30 patients (29 primary cases) were treated for chronic peroneal palsy or neuropathy due to ganglion cysts of the proximal tibiofibular joint at two tertiary orthopaedic medical centers with total resection of the cystic lesion. MRI with contrast and electromyography (EMG) were performed preoperatively in all patients. The minimum follow-up for this series was 1 year (median 48 months, range 13 to 120); 14% (4 of 29) were lost to follow-up before that time. The MSTS score was recorded preoperatively, at 6 weeks postoperatively, and at most-recent follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 90% of the patients were male (26 of 29 patients) and the median age was 67 years (range 20 to 76). In all, 17% (5 of 29) were treated due to intraneural ganglia. Twenty-eight percent (8 of 29) presented with complete peroneal palsy (foot drop). The mean MSTS score improved from 67 ± 12% before surgery to 89 ± 12% at 6 weeks postoperative (p < 0.001) and to 92 ± 9% at final follow up (p = 0.003, comparison with 6 weeks postop). All patients improved their scores. A total of 8% (2 of 25 patients) experienced local recurrence after surgery. CONCLUSION: Ganglion cysts of the proximal tibiofibular joint occurred more often as extraneural lesions in older male patients in this small series. Total excision was associated with improved functional outcome and low risk of neurologic damage and local recurrence, and we did not use any more complex reconstructive procedures. Tendon transfers may be performed simultaneously in older patients to stabilize the ankle joint, while younger patients may recover after decompression alone, although larger randomized studies are needed to confirm our preliminary observations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. Copyright © 2020 by the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons