PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of low-dose gabapentin for interdigital neuroma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April 2000 and June 2003, 32 patients (39 feet) with interdigital neuroma were treated with using low-dose gabapentin. Two of the 32 patients were male, and thirty were female, and the average age was 47.4 years. The follow-up was 6 to 44months (mean 15.1 months). All cases were diagnosed by physical examination and ultrasonography or MRI. Low-dose gabapentin (300-600 mg) was prescribed and shoe modification was recommended. The patients were evaluated through questionnaire. RESULTS: Neuroma was found in twenty one cases at the third intermetatarsal space, and thirteen at the second intermetatarsal space. The sensitivity of ultrasonography was 96% and that of MRI was 79%. Overall satisfaction was rated as excellent or good by 18 cases (57%). Average pain relief ratio was 50.3%, and in 14 cases, more than 80% of pain relief was noted. Nine (28%) of 32 patients showed they had no activity restrictions, such as daily activities or work, whereas 8 (25%) had mild restrictions and 15 (47%) had major restrictions. Twelve of 15 patient with major restrictions had been treated operatively (neurectomy; 10 cases, decompression; 2 cases). One case had gastrointestinal problem. CONCLUSION: Low-dose gabapentin for interdigital neuroma was one of the effective conservative treatments. The operation may be preserved for patient with the persist symptoms, nevertheless the conservative treatments and use of low-dose gabapentin.
Decompression ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Neuroma* ; Physical Examination ; Shoes ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The result of cementless total knee arthroplasty with posterior cruciate ligament retention in rheumatoid arthritis patients was evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients (fifty knees) followed up after cementless total knee arthroplasty with posterior cruciate ligament retention was evaluated clinically and radiologically. Average follow up was 9.2 years(5.1~14.3). RESULTS: The mean HSS knee score improved from 47.4 preoperatively to 81.8 postoperatively, and the mean range of motion of 89.7 degrees preoperatively to 101.2 degrees postoperatively. The mean tibiofemoral angle was 4.9 degrees valgus. Posterior instability was observed in 1 case(2%) at the most recent follow up. Radiolucent line was observed in 41 cases(82%), and osteolysis was observed around tibial component in 13 cases(26%), and around femoral component in 4 cases(8%). Eight cases(16%) of revision was due to 1 case of aseptic loosening and osteolysis each, and the other due to polyethylene wear of patellar or tibial component. CONCLUSION: Although there are osteopenia in rheumatoid arthritis compared to osteoarthritis, cementless total knee replacement with posterior cruciate retention showed stable fixation. However, the new method for initial fixation of tibial component is needed because osteolysis around tibial component tended to start around cancellous screws.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid* ; Arthroplasty* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee* ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteolysis ; Polyethylene ; Posterior Cruciate Ligament ; Range of Motion, Articular

Kienböck’s disease is an avascular necrosis of the lunate that can be accompanied by a lunate fracture. Although numerous studies on Kienböck’s disease have been conducted, its natural history is incompletely understood and there is no consensus for treatment. Various wrist arthroscopic surgeries have been attempted owing to the increasing interest in wrist minimal-invasive surgery. Traditionally, the Lichtman classification, based on the osseous status, is used widely to assess Kienböck’s disease. On the other hand, age, vascular condition, and cartilage status are also important when making a treatment plan for Kienböck’s disease. This article introduces a new classification and treatment algorithm combining osseous, vascular and cartilage classifications. Moreover, the roles and limitations of arthroscopy in this new algorithm are reviewed, and the author’s preferred treatment protocol based on staging is introduced.

Malignant laryngeal tumors include a variety of histologic types with different biologic features, each calling for a different therapeutic approach and giving rise to a different prognosis. We experienced a case of laryngeal adenosquamous carcinoma which is an extremely rare neoplasm in larynx. The lesion is histologically distinctive because of the presence of mixed areas of unequivocal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Differential diagnosis include adenoid squamous cell carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma. It is found that combined surgery and additional radiation therapy is necessary because the biologic behavior and prognosis of this neoplasm are considered as more aggressive and worse than that of conventional squameus cell carcinoma.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenoids ; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous* ; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Larynx* ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: Olecranon nonunion after surgical management is relatively rare, but it leads to limitation of motion of joint or instability. This retrospective study was conducted in order to analyze the cause and result of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 11 cases treated for nonunion of olecranon fractures. Nonunion was classified according to the spot of the lesion and the extent of articular surface damage. Evaluation was performed using Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS), Oxford elbow score (OES), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores, and the range of motion. RESULTS: According to the spot of the lesion and the extent of articular surface damage, nonunion was categorized as IA (2 cases), IIA (5 cases), and IIIA (4 cases). One case of IA underwent nonunion fragment excision and the remaining cases were treated by bone grafting. A plate was used in seven cases and the other three cases had both plate and tension band wiring fixation. All nonunions finally became union. The 11 patients with one year follow-up had average MEPS of 87.7 points (range: 60-100 points), average OES of 43.2, and average DASH score of 18.8 points. Complications included limitation of motion (2 cases) and ulnar nerve symptoms (3 cases). CONCLUSION: Bone grafting and fixation by plate may be beneficial. In addition, excision can be useful in type I.
Arm ; Bone Transplantation ; Elbow ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Humans ; Joints ; Olecranon Process* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Retrospective Studies ; Shoulder ; Ulnar Nerve

PURPOSE: To investigate the role of STAT5 during osteogenesis differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells(hMSC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: To assess the expression pattern of STATs during osteogenic differentiation, we performed western blot analysis and RT-PCR. By RNA interference, we have performed effect of STAT5A and STAT5B in osteogenesis. As a result of Luciferase assay, the promoter activity of DLX5 was decreased by STAT5A. RESULTS: To assess the expression pattern of STATs during osteogenic differentiation, we have performed western blot and RT-PCR after 14 day differentiation period. STAT1, 2, 3 and 4 showed no change in expression level during differentiation, while STAT5A and STAT5B displayed steady increase compared to the control. When STAT5A was knock down, the level of osteogenesis was increased. The transcriptional activity of DLX5 was decreased about 70% by STAT5A. CONCLUSION: The expression of STAT5A and STAT5B increased during osteogenesis of hMSC. Also, we shown that STAT5A regulated the transcriptional activity of DLX5. These results indicate that STAT5A acts as a pivotal transcription factor in osteogenesis of hMSC.
Blotting, Western ; Humans ; Luciferases ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Osteogenesis* ; RNA Interference ; Transcription Factors

PURPOSE: There have been few reports about the endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) in elderly patients and its efficacy and safety are not well-known. We evaluated the clinical outcomes of ECTR using Agee technique in patients older than 65 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2000 to January 2007, thirty-five patients (42 hands) who underwent ECTR using Agee technique were enrolled. The average age of the patients was 67.2 years (range, 65-71 years). The duration of symptoms averaged 10 months (range, 6-33 months). For evaluation of the clinical outcomes, physical examination and subjective assessment of the hand function using the Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire were performed at postoperative 1-year follow-up and compared with those obtained at preoperative evaluation. The mean follow-up period was 18 months (range, 12-24 months). RESULTS: There were no neurovascular injury and scar tenderness. At postoperative 1-year follow-up, paresthesia, numbness, Phalen's sign, tinel sign, two point discrimation, and grip power were significantly improved compared with those obtained at preoperation. According to the Boston questionnaire, symptom severity score improved from 3.43 preoperatively to 1.89 postoperatively, and functional status score improved from 3.18 preoperatively to 2.21 postoperatively (p<0.05). Thenar atrophy still remained in 32 hands (76.2%). CONCLUSION: Although thenar atrophy did not improve in many cases, symptom severity and functional status scores improved in most patients treated with ECTR. The single portal ECTR is a safe and efficacious treatment option in elderly patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
Aged ; Atrophy ; Boston ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Cicatrix ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Paresthesia ; Physical Examination ; Surveys and Questionnaires