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: Calcific lesion of the hand is infrequently recognized, presenting with severe pain and swelling of the affected joint. The purpose of this study is to describe clinical features associated with this condition by reviewing surgically treated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out in 11 patients who had operation clinical and radiographic data were collected by medical records. RESULTS: Eight patients were females and three were males with age ranging between 27-75 years (mean: 48 years). By location, five cases of interphalangeal joint, three cases of metacarpophalangeal joint of thumb, two cases of carpal tunnel and one case of distal ulna area were noted. Interval between symptom presentation and operation was 9.4 month (range: 6-18 month). During 10 month follow-up (range: 6-12 month), recurrence had not occurred. CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of calcific lesion of hand and wrist is low, it may cause severe pain and swelling. If conservative treatment fails or any nerve compression symptom develops, surgical removal of the calcific lesion is recommended.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand ; Humans ; Joints ; Male ; Metacarpophalangeal Joint ; Prevalence ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Thumb ; Ulna ; Wrist

PURPOSE: This study was designed to measure time-dependent changes in muscle excursion and collagen content after tenotomy, and to analyze the correlation between muscle excursion and collagen content in a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four rabbits underwent tenotomy of the second extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles on the right legs and were randomly assigned to three groups based on the period of time after tenotomy (2, 4, and 6 weeks). The second EDL muscles on left legs were used as controls. At each time after tenotomy, passive muscle excursion and collagen content, determined by hydroxyproline content, were measured bilaterally, and the ratio of each value to the normal one was used. RESULTS: The mean ratio of muscle excursion after tenotomy to the value of the control decreased in a time-dependent fashion: 92.5% at 2 weeks, 78.6% at 4 weeks, and 55.1% at 6 weeks. The mean ratio of hydroxyproline content in muscle to the value of the control increased in a time-dependent fashion: 119.5% at 2 weeks, 157.3% at 4 weeks, and 166.6% at 6 weeks. There was a significant negative correlation between the ratio of hydroxyproline content in muscle after tenotomy to the control values and the ratio of muscle excursion after tenotomy to the control values (r=-0.602, p=0.002). CONCLUSION: The decrease in muscle excursion seems to correlate with the increase in collagen content in the muscle in a time-dependent fashion following tenotomy.
Animals ; Collagen/*metabolism ; Hydroxyproline/metabolism ; Muscle, Skeletal/*metabolism ; Rabbits ; Tendon Injuries/*metabolism ; Tendons ; Tenotomy ; Time 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

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-fibrotic effect of relaxin in subsynovial fibroblasts activated by transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). MATERIALS AND METHODS: To test the anti-fibrotic effect of an adenovirus-relaxin construct (Ad-RLN) on subsynovial fibroblasts in vitro, cells from subsynovial connective tissue of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were activated with TGF-β1 and exposed to Ad-RLN (as a therapeutic gene) or adenovirus-lacZ construct (as a marker gene) for four hours. Subsynovial fibroblast cultures without adenoviral exposure served as controls. RESULTS: We observed induction of gene expressions of collagen I, III and IV, as well as the abatement of alpha-smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) synthesis, Smad2 phosphorylation, and fibronectin at the protein level, in comparison to controls. In addition, protein expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) I was significantly induced, whereas the protein expressions of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) I and IV were reduced due to relaxin expression. CONCLUSION: RLN prevents excessive synthesis of extracellular matrix by reducing the expressions of its components, such as fibronectin, a-SMA, and phosphorylated Smad2, by increasing the expression of MMPs; and by decreasing the expression of TIMPs.
Actins ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* ; Collagen ; Connective Tissue ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts* ; Fibronectins ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Matrix Metalloproteinases* ; Phosphorylation ; Relaxin* ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

PURPOSE: Simple decompression of the ulnar nerve has outcomes similar to anterior transposition for cubital tunnel syndrome; however, there is no consensus on the proper technique for patients with an unstable ulnar nerve. We hypothesized that 1) simple decompression or anterior ulnar nerve transposition, depending on nerve stability, would be effective for cubital tunnel syndrome and that 2) there would be determining factors of the clinical outcome at two years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients with cubital tunnel syndrome underwent simple decompression (n=30) or anterior transposition (n=11) according to an assessment of intra-operative ulnar nerve stability. Clinical outcome was assessed using grip and pinch strength, two-point discrimination, the mean of the disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) survey, and the modified Bishop Scale. RESULTS: Preoperatively, two patients were rated as mild, another 20 as moderate, and the remaining 19 as severe according to the Dellon Scale. At 2 years after operation, mean grip/pinch strength increased significantly from 19.4/3.2 kg to 31.1/4.1 kg, respectively. Two-point discrimination improved from 6.0 mm to 3.2 mm. The DASH score improved from 31.0 to 14.5. All but one patient scored good or excellent according to the modified Bishop Scale. Correlations were found between the DASH score at two years and age, pre-operative grip strength, and two-point discrimination. CONCLUSION: An ulnar nerve stability-based approach to surgery selection for cubital tunnel syndrome was effective based on 2-year follow-up data. Older age, worse preoperative grip strength, and worse two-point discrimination were associated with worse outcomes at 2 years.
Adult ; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome/*diagnosis/physiopathology/*surgery ; Decompression, Surgical/*methods ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hand/surgery ; Hand Strength ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurosurgical Procedures/*methods ; Prospective Studies ; Recovery of Function ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome ; Ulnar Nerve/physiopathology/*surgery ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of revision osteosynthesis using Herbert screw fixation combined with autogenous cancellous bone grafting for scaphoid nonunions after failed primary surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients who underwent revision osteosynthesis for a scaphoid nonunion after a mean of 13.6 months following primary surgical failure were studied. There were 9 waist fractures and 3 proximal fractures. The revision osteosynthesis was performed using autogenous iliac cancellous bone grafting combined with Herbert screw fixation. RESULTS: Union was achieved in 11 of 12 cases. The results of eleven united cases were clinically satisfactory at the mean follow up of 16.9 months after revision. The motion range of wrist joint improved: average flexion was 51degrees, average extension was 65degrees, average radial deviation 15degrees, and average ulnar deviation was 21degrees. CONCLUSION: Herbert screw fixation and autogenous iliac cancellous bone grafting was proved to be a useful method as a revisional operation for a scaphoid nonunion after failed primary surgery.
Bone Transplantation ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Wrist Joint