OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical characteristics, differential diagnosis, and treatment methods of finger flexion contracture caused by three kinds of forearm flexor diseases. METHODS: Between December 2008 and August 2021, 17 patients with finger flexion contracture were treated, including 8 males and 9 females, aged 5-42 years, with a median of 16 years. The disease duration ranged from 1.5 months to 30 years, with a median of 13 years. The etiology included 6 cases of Volkmann's contracture, all of which were flexion deformity of the 2nd to 5th fingers, accompanied by limitation of thumb dorsiflexion in 3 cases and limitation of wrist dorsiflexion in 3 cases; 3 cases of pseudo-Volkmann's contracture, including 2 cases of flexion deformity of middle, ring, and little fingers, and 1 case of flexion deformity of ring and little fingers; 8 cases of ulnar finger flexion contracture caused by forearm flexor disease or anatomical variations, all of which were flexion deformity of middle, ring, and little fingers. Operations such as slide of flexor and pronator teres origin, excision of abnormal fibrous cord and bony prominence, and release of entrapped muscle (tendon) were performed. Hand function was evaluated according to WANG Haihua's hand function rating standard or modified Buck-Gramcko classification standard, and muscle strength was evaluated according to British Medical Research Council (MRC) muscle strength rating standard. RESULTS: All patients were followed up 1-10 years (median, 1.5 years). At last follow-up, 8 patients with contracture caused by forearm flexor disease or anatomical variations and 3 patients with pseudo-Volkmann's contracture achieved excellent hand function, with muscle strength of grade M5 in 6 cases and grade M4 in 5 cases. One patient with mild Volkmann's contracture and 3 patients with moderate Volkmann's contracture without severe nerve damage had excellent hand function in 2 cases and good in 2 cases, with muscle strength of grade M5 in 1 case and grade M4 in 3 cases. Two patients with moderate or severe Volkmann's contracture had poor hand function, with 1 case of muscle strength of grade M3 and 1 case of grade M2, which improved when compared with those before operation. The overall excellent and good rate of hand function and the proportion of patients with muscle strength of grade M4 and above were 88.2% (15/17), respectively. CONCLUSION The finger flexion contracture caused by different etiology can be differentiated by analyzing the history, physical examination, radiographs, and intraoperative findings. After different surgical treatments, such as resection of contracture band, release of compressed muscle (tendon), and downward movement of flexor origin, most patients have a good outcome.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Forearm/surgery* ; Contracture/surgery* ; Ischemic Contracture/surgery* ; Fingers/surgery* ; Muscle, Skeletal/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical characteristics and treatment analysis of 3 cases of congenital ulnar collateral flexor contracture of the forearm and take a reference for clinic. METHODS: A total of 3 patients with congenital ulnar collateral flexor contracture of the forearm were admitted between February 2019 and August 2021. Two patients were male and 1 was female, and their ages were 16, 20, and 16 years, respectively. The disease durations were 8, 20, and 15 years, respectively. They all presented with flexion deformity of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints of the middle, ring, and little fingers in the neutral or extended wrist position, and the deformity worsened in the extended wrist position. The total action motion (TAM) scores of 3 patients were 1 and the gradings were poor. The Carroll's hand function evaluation scores were 48, 55, and 57, and the grip strength indexes were 72.8, 78.4, and 30.5. Preoperative CT of case 2 showed a bony protrusion of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon at the proximal end of the ulna; and MRI of case 3 showed that the ulnar flexor digitorum profundus presented as a uniform cord. After diagnosis, all patients were treated with operation to release the denatured tendon, and functional exercise was started early after operation. RESULTS: The incisions of 3 patients healed by first intention. Three patients were followed up for 12, 35, and 12 months, respectively. The hand function and the movement range of the joints significantly improved, but the grip strength did not significantly improve. At last follow-up, TAM scores were 3, 4, and 4, respectively, among which 2 cases were excellent and 1 case was good. Carroll's hand function evaluation scores were 95, 90, and 94, and the grip strength indexes were 73.5, 81.3, and 34.2, respectively. CONCLUSION Congenital ulnar collateral flexor contracture is a rare clinical disease that should be distinguished from ischemic muscle contracture. The location of the contracture should be identified and appropriate surgical timing should be selected for surgical release. Active postoperative rehabilitation and functional exercise can achieve good hand function.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Forearm/surgery* ; Contracture/surgery* ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Tendons/surgery* ; Ulna/surgery* ; Range of Motion, Articular

The treatment of scar contracture has a relatively long history in the department of plastic surgery. Flap surgery, including Z-plasty and skin graft has been a common surgical modality for the treatment of scar contracture. However, the 'deficiency' of the tissue is basically responsible for the limitations of this treatment. The concept of tissue expansion has contributed to the solution of tissue deficiency and thus tissue expansion is currently widely used for various purposes in plastic and reconstructive surgery. Nevertheless, tissue expansion has not yet clearly solved the problems in cases of seven deficiency of surrounding normal tissues, or in cases of multiple and diffuse scar contracture. We have tried to 'expand the scar tissue' to overcome these limitations. The authors 'several decades of experience in tissue expansion has taught us to find the usefulness of incidentally expanded scar tissues. Thirty-one patients with scar contracture urderwent expansion of surrounding normal and/or scar tissues, including 5 cases of pure scar tissue expansion. The postoperative results were satisfactory with a minimal complication rate. In conclusion, scar tissue expansion was usefully applicable for the scar contracture with no surrounding normal tissues. Scar tissue could be expanded safely and sufficiently, designed to various flaps, and the flap survival was reasonable. The functional and aesthetic quality of the scar tissue seems to improve following tissue expansion. In addition, meticulous planning is essential from the initial operation, including the area of expander insertion, flap design considering the aesthetic unit and functional aspect.
Cicatrix* ; Contracture* ; Humans ; Skin ; Surgery, Plastic ; Tissue Expansion* ; Transplants

OBJECTIVETo explore the treatment of breast sclerosis caused by capsular contracture after augmentation mammaplasty, and preventive measures after the treatment to avoid the recurrence.

METHODSWith the incision through periareola, a part of the fibrous capsule and fibrillate tissue which is between the base of the capsula and the wall of the capsula were resected in the shape of wedge. At the same time, the wall of the capsular cavity was incised in radiant shape to relax it. After operation, the early and effective massage should be fully used.

RESULTS17 case of 26 case were given follow-up over half a year, the results were satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSAfter capsular contracture was relaxed and a part of the fibrous capsula between the base and the wall of the capsular cavity was resected in the shape of wedge, the prosthesis can be moved smoothly in the suitable cavity without any obstruction. In addition to the early and effective massage after operation, the methods might reach the ideal results.

Adult ; Breast ; surgery ; Contracture ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; adverse effects ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery

Post-burn contractures are common entities seen in developing countries. There are multiple reasons for the development of contractures, most are preventable. In extensive contractures, a strategic plan is necessary to release all contractures and yet not antagonize post-operative positions. It is also necessary to be cost-effective and minimize the number of surgeries needed. Conventionally the release sequence in extensive burn contractures is proximal to distal. In this case report, we discuss an unusual sequence where we released distal contractures before the proximal to achieve optimum results. A 3-year-old child with post-burn contracture of hand, wrist, elbow, and axilla was treated in 2 stages, with the release of wrist contracture and cover with pedicled abdominal flap in the first stage and division of pedicled flap with the release of axilla and elbow contracture in the second stage. Thus, the release of all contractures was achieved without antagonizing post-operative positions and minimized the number of surgeries. A case-based approach may be crucial in making a strategic surgical plan to minimize the rehabilitation phase, rather than following known dictums.
Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Surgical Flaps/surgery* ; Upper Extremity ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Skin Transplantation ; Contracture/surgery*

OBJECTIVETo investigate clinical curative effects of gluteal muscle contracture release combined with insertion of gluteus maximus tendo-chilles lengthening with Z-shaped in treating severe gluteal muscles contracture.

METHODSFrom 2006 May to 2011 May, 20 patients (35 sides) with severe gluteal muscle contracture were collected, including 12 males and 8 females, aged from 8 to 34 years old with an average of 13 years old; the courses of disease ranged from 3 to 21 years. All patients manifested abnormal gait at different degree, knees close together cannot squat,positive syndrome of Ober, positive test of alice leg. Gluteus contracture fascia release were performed firstly in operation, then insertion of tendo-chilles lengthening with Z-shaped were carried out. Preoperative and postoperative gait, and knee flexion hip extensor squat test, cross leg test, adduction and internal rotary activity of hip joint, stretch strength and motor ability after hip abduction were observed and compared.

RESULTSTwenty patients were followed up for 1 to 5 years. Gluteus maximus were released thoroughly, and snapping hip was disappeared, Ober syndrome were negative. There was significant differences in knee flexion hip extensor squat test, adduction and internal rotary activity of hip joint,stretch before and after operation (P<0.01). Gluteus muscle strength was protected,stretch strength and motor ability of hip joint were recovered well. Among them,31 cases got excellent results and 4 good.

CONCLUSIONFor severe gluteal muscles contracture,insertion of gluteus maximus tendo-chilles lengthening with Z-shaped performed after gluteus contracture fascia release could release gluteal muscle contracture to the greatest extent and obtain postoperative curative effect without resection of normal hip muscle fibers and destroy joint capsule.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Buttocks ; surgery ; Child ; Contracture ; surgery ; Female ; Hip ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; surgery ; Thigh ; surgery ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical therapeutic effect of the release of gluteal muscle contracture by radiofrequency under arthroscopy. METHODS: From January 2004 to April 2005, 86 patients with gluteal muscle contracture were treated by radiofrequency release under arthroscopy.The patients were followed-up for 6-18 months(mean=12.6 months). RESULTS: Getting carriage, squatting down while keeping their knees contacting, crossing leg test, and impact on movement were served as evaluation criteria. Of the 86 patients, 79 had excellent results, 5 good, and the rest 2 were acceptable. There was no recurrence at the last follow-up, and all the patients were satisfied. CONCLUSION For gluteal muscle contracture, radiofrequency release under arthroscopy has minimally invasion, good results and quick recovery.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Arthroscopy ; Buttocks ; Catheter Ablation ; Child ; Contracture ; surgery ; Female ; Hip Contracture ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Muscle, Skeletal ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Range of Motion, Articular

OBJECTIVETo investigate the combined treatment with areola approach for capsular contracture after breast augmentation with implants.

METHODSFrom Feb. 2005 to Jun. 2011, 94 cases (168 sides) with Baker III and IV capsular contracture after breast augmentation with implants were treated with areola approach. The implants cavity was recreated, with or without removal of capsule. The implants were reimplanted behind pectoralis major or breast at the second stage in some patients.

RESULTS46 cases were followed up by clinic visit and the others were followed up by telephone for 6-37 months, with an average of 9.9 months. The capsular contracture was relapsed in 2 cases as Baker III and 1 case as Baker IV. All the other breasts got a good appearance with good soft texture and feeling. No hematoma, infection, implants rupture, breast ptosis or implant displacement happened.

CONCLUSIONSCombined treatment with areola approach has a good therapeutic effect for capsular contracture after breast augmentation with implants. The breast appearance is satisfactory with low occurrence of capsular contracture.

Adult ; Breast Implantation ; adverse effects ; Contracture ; etiology ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Mammaplasty ; methods ; Postoperative Complications ; surgery

Popliteal pterygium syndrome is a rare congenital disorder that consists of popliteal webs and craniofacial, genitourinary and extremity anomalies. Only moderate successful surgical excision of the fibrotic band within the popliteal web has been reported because the nerves and vessels in the affected site are short and displaced into the web and they are attached to adjacent tissues. We performed hamstring tenotomy on the ischial tuberosity, tenotomy of the flexor hallucis longus and Z-lengthening of the Achilles tendon on the ankle in our patient, and this was followed by gradual correction using an Ilizarov external fixator. Full extension of the knee joint was achieved at the ninth postoperative week. However, some recurrence of flexion contracture was noted at two years follow-up. Gradual soft tissue lengthening with an Ilizarov external fixator can be one of the optimal procedures when excision of a fibrous band and Z-plasty are not possible due to severe adhesion of the nerves and vessels into a fibrotic band. However, a cautious approach is recommended when considering the high risk of recurrence.
Child ; Contracture/*congenital/*surgery ; External Fixators ; Humans ; *Ilizarov Technique ; Knee Joint/*abnormalities/*surgery ; Male ; Tenotomy

OBJECTIVETo explore new methods to repair postburn contracture deformities in patients with extremely limited donor skin.

METHODSFive severely burned patients with extremely limited donor skin but severe deformities were enrolled in the study. The mature and the pliable scarred skin was utilized as the donor site for reconstruction of the postburn deformities. Split-thickness scarred skin was harvested for repair of postburn deformities after the scarred skin was expanded by expander, while thin razor-thin scarred skin with allo-acellular dermal matrix (ADM) was employed for the repair of postburn deformities when skin expansion was not feasible.

RESULTSAll the expanded scarred skin and composite skin grafts survived completely with good function and configuration. The long-term follow-up result was satisfactory, and the grafted skin was similar to that with split-thickness skin grafting.

CONCLUSIONIt is feasible to employ various split-thickness scarred skin for the reconstruction of postburn deformities. This technique is a new effective procedure for the reconstruction of postburn deformities, especially for those with extreme scarcity of donor site.

Adult ; Burns ; pathology ; surgery ; Cicatrix ; pathology ; Contracture ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Skin Transplantation ; methods