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Biomedical subjects

H Krimmer

Publications and source records attributed to H Krimmer.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

[Standardised operation technique for ulna-shortening with a new sliding-hole plate].

Ulna-shortening is a widely accepted procedure for the treatment of ulna-impaction syndrome. High rates of non-unions however necessitate improving the operation technique. The new device introduced in this study is a 7-hole plate in which two proximal holes are sliding-holes. By correct placement of two distal screws and two screws in the sliding-holes, rotational stability is guaranteed. The osteotomy is performed while the plate is loosely fixed to the ulna. After fixation of the two distal screws, the sliding-holes facilitate reposition with a good closure of the osteotomy gap. Excentric placement of two more screws and placement of a lag screw across the oblique osteotomy leads to further compression at the osteotomy site. Ulna-variance can be adjusted exactly. So far the plate has been implanted in 15 patients. Ulna-variance was reduced from + 2 to - 2.2 mm. The clinical results are comparable to those of ulna-shortenings in the literature. The sliding-hole plate allows an exact connection with good closure of the osteotomy without malrotation. With this simplified technique, the risk of non-union can be reduced.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

[Scapho-trapezio-trapezoid arthrodesis (triscaphe arthrodesis)].

BACKGROUND: Scapho-trapezio-trapezoid (STT)/triscaphe fusion is used to stabilize the radial column of the wrist. However the reported results are controversial. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 111 patients were treated with STT fusion from 1992 to 1997. Indications were chronic dissociation of the scapholunate joint (n = 15), idiopathic arthrosis of the scaphotrapeziotrapezoid joint (n = 11), Kienböck's disease in advanced stage (n = 84) and dislocation of the trapezium (n = 1). This study reviews the results after an average follow-up period of four years (range, two to eight years). RESULTS: Patients showed an average wrist motion (ROM) in extension and flexion of 81 % of the preoperative range and in radial and ulnar deviation of 68 % of the preoperative range. Preoperative pain values (VAS) were reduced 76 % (non-stress) and 55 % (stress). The average grip strength improved to 65 % of the contra-lateral side. Good results were reached according to the modified Mayo wrist score with a score of 66 points (71 points in arthritis of the STT joint; 62 points in Kienböck's disease, 60 points in SL-dissociation). The patients described low disability in the DASH scores, with an average of 27 points. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that STT fusion is reliable and effective for treatment and pain relief and offers reasonable functional results in the above mentioned indications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[The posttraumatic carpal collapse--long-term results after midcarpal fusion].

PURPOSE: Midcarpal fusion is a reliable treatment for posttraumatic carpal collapse in the short or midlong term. The long-term results remain, however, unclear. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term clinical outcome but also the incidence of an arthrosis of the radiolunate joint or an ulnar translocation after excision of the scaphoid. METHOD AND MATERIAL: 37 patients after midcarpal fusion were reexamined after an average follow-up of 97 months clinically and radiologically. RESULTS: The average range of motion from extension to flexion was 62 degrees, the average grip strength changed from 69 % of the opposite side before surgery to 80 % after surgery. Pain in the verbal analogue scale improved from 2.7 preoperatively to 1.7 postoperatively. The Krimmer wrist score was 72, whereas 28 patients (76 %) reached a good or excellent result. The mean DASH score was 24 points. At the X-rays, ten patients (27 %) showed an arthrosis of the radiolunate joint and/or an ulnar translocation. Differences in clinical results between the groups with or without X-ray pathology were not statistically significant. From 107 patients with a midcarpal fusion in the time of interest, seven (6.5 %) had to be converted into wrist arthrodesis because of ongoing pain. CONCLUSION: Also in the long-term the motion-sparing midcarpal fusion offers a functional advantage over wrist arthrodesis.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Partial Fusion of the wrist - an alternative procedure to the total wrist arthrodesis].

Despite the important observations that have been made concerning biomechanics and function of the wrist joint in recent years, the surgeon is still confronted with a huge number of delayed posttraumatic disorders of this joint. In the past, total wrist fusion was the leading salvage procedure, whereas today several salvage procedures are available to solve these problems. Partial wrist fusions are supposed to stabilize the carpus, immobilize destroyed articulating surfaces while allowing motion in the unharmed parts of the wrist. Acknowledging pathobiomechanical laws, they have been used for a growing number of indications with a large benefit. The patients profit of better functional results than can be observed in patients with total arthrodesis of the wrist. Furthermore, partial wrist fusion provides a more stable situation and the absence of pain for a longer period of time. However, further studies evaluating the clinical outcome of these salvage procedures are necessary and to be expected in the near future.

Arthrodesis↗
PubMed2002

Management of acute fractures and nonunions of the proximal pole of the scaphoid.

It is my belief that all acute proximal pole fractures should be treated by open reduction and internal fixation, via a dorsal approach. There is no longer any place for conservative treatment of these fractures, because a lengthy period of plaster immobilization is required and there is an unacceptably high risk of nonunion with conservative management. Unfortunately, nonunion of the proximal pole remains a common and disabling problem which demands careful evaluation and treatment. Internal fixation combined with limited cancellous bone grafting produces very satisfactory results in terms of pain relief and function, and clinical results are as good as those reported for more complex procedures involving vascularized grafts and prolonged cast immobilization. While the place for vascularized grafting has yet to be clearly defined, at present it is a technique which should be reserved for cases with long-standing ischaemia or failed previous surgery.

Female↗
PubMed2002

[Scapholunate dissociation: treatment by dorsal capsulodesis].

Between December 1994 and December 1996, 26 patients with a scapholunate ligament injury (three with SLD 1. degrees, 16 with SLD 2. degrees and 7 with SLD 3. degrees ) underwent an operation for dorsal capsulodesis in the Klinik für Handchirurgie, Bad Neustadt/Saale. Mean follow-up was 24 months (16 to 37 months). Follow-up criteria were range of motion, grip strength, pain relief, and X-ray findings. Clinical outcome was evaluated using a personal questionnaire, the DASH- and a modified Cooney-Score. Although significant reduction of joint mobility compared to the opposite site was found in all cases (E/F 32 %, U/R 19 %), the reduction of pain was 30 %. Grip-strength was not altered. Thus, 86 % of the patients were satisfied with the result obtained. On X-ray, the scapholunate angle was raised in the SLD 3. degrees -group by 12 degrees postoperatively; in the group with dynamic instability, X-ray findings were normal. Overall, 19 % (5/26) needed further operations due to persistent pain.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Scapholunate ligament tears in MR arthrography compared with wrist arthroscopy].

In a blinded study from January to July 2000, 125 patients suffering from specific complaints of the wrist were prospectively examined with direct MR arthrography. Within 24 hours an arthroscopy of the wrist was performed. With MR arthrography in 21 patients or 17 % of all patients, injury of the scapho-lunate ligament was diagnosed. In all patients this could be verified arthroscopically. In the remaining 104 patients, no SL-ligament lesions were diagnosed with the MR arthrography. However, partial lesions were found via arthroscopy in seven cases and complete lesions of the ligament were found in one case, where MRI findings expected an intact SL ligament. In the remaining 96 cases, the MRI could correctly exclude a lesion of the SL-ligament. The diagnosis of a SL-ligament lesion by means of MRI was correct in 100 % of the cases (specificity), the exclusion of such lesions in 72 % (sensitivity). Positive or negative predictive values of 100 % or 92 % were achieved. Since a sensitivity of 100 % cannot be reached at the moment, MR arthrography cannot replace arthroscopy. However, it could be a potent additional tool for wrist diagnosis if intraarticular contrast is used. It can facilitate the diagnostics and the indication for surgery of the wrist and help to reduce arthroscopic interventions for purely diagnostic purposes and without any therapeutic consequences. With improvement of the technique of magnet resonance tomography we can expect a further increase of accuracy in the clinical use of the MR arthrography in the diagnostic workup of the wrist.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Indication and results of ulna shortening osteotomy in ulnocarpal wrist joint pain].

The ulnar impaction syndrome is proven to be a common source of ulnar sided wrist pain. Ulna-shortening osteotomy represents a successful therapy for this kind of problem, both congenital or posttraumatic positive ulnar variance. Positive variance resulting from a distal radius fracture needs correct dorsal and radial angulation of the radius. In case of congenital positive variance arthroscopic debridement for decompression of the TFCC should be performed first. The adequate correction of the length is the major problem. Disorders of the distal radioulnar joint may result due to overcorrection. Oblique osteotomy using 7-hole-plates is our preferred treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Post-traumatic carpal collapse. Follow-up and therapeutic concept].

Significant progress has been made in the understanding of carpal kinematics and posttraumatic disorders of the wrist. The importance of stabilization of the scaphoid is well known. More and more ligament injuries of the proximal carpal row have been diagnosed in cases of severe arthrotic changes. Long-standing scaphoid nounion or scapholunate ligament injuries can lead to progressive carpal collapse due to a break of the continuity of the proximal carpal row. SLAC-wrist (scapholunate advanced collapse) and SNAC-wrist (scaphoid nonunion advanced collapse) after missed fusion of scaphoid fractures should be differentiated. Severity of degenerative changes is classified into three stages. Salvage procedures preserving wrist mobility, like midcarpal fusion, are preferable to total wrist fusion because of the functional benefit. With complete excision of the scaphoid and fusion of the midcarpal joint, all arthritic joint surfaces are eliminated and motion is preserved in the radiolunate joint which is usually spared of degenerative changes.

Arthrodesis↗
PubMed2000

[Scaphoid fractures--diagnosis, classification and therapy].

Herbert's classification of scaphoid fractures provides the underlying rationale for treatment according to the fracture type. A CT bone scan in the long axis of the scaphoid is the best means of differentiating between stable and unstable fractures. This is difficult from conventional X-rays due to the particular three-dimensional anatomy of the scaphoid. To avoid long-term plaster immobilization and to diminish the risk of a nonunion, unstable fractures of type B should be fixed operatively. With headless screws such as the Herbert screw, which are now available in a cannulated shape, the majority of scaphoid fractures of type B1 and B2 can be stabilized using minimally invasive procedures. Severely displaced fractures require the classical open palmar approach. Proximal pole fractures (B3) are best managed from the dorsal approach, using the Mini-Herbert screw. Stable fractures of type A2 can be treated conservatively in a below-elbow cast or, alternatively, stabilized percutaneously, which allows early mobilization.

Bone Screws↗
PubMed2000

[Strategy for defect coverage in extensive degloving and crush injuries of 4 fingers].

Severe crush injuries with avulsion require specific treatment strategies. Usually we find complete loss of soft tissue, nerves and vessels, where only tendons and parts of the phalanges are preserved. Primary reconstructive procedures are usually not possible due to the complexity of the injury with severely destroyed structures. Bone shortening should be avoided in order to maintain finger length and motion. Therefore, emergency soft-tissue coverage represents the first step. Later, sensibility and mechanical stability of the skin should be restored. In our clinic, seven patients with this injury pattern were treated. Three cases involved four finger crush-avulsion injuries. In all cases, we performed a primary soft-tissue coverage with a pedicled flap. In a second session, the skin areas of the first web space of both feet were transplanted as neurovascular flaps. With this strategy, a useful hand function could be restored. The functional results are described and advantages and disadvantages of various techniques discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Comparative outcome assessment of the wrist joint--mediocarpal partial arthrodesis and total arthrodesis].

Total wrist fusion still represents the main treatment for severe posttraumatic disorders of the wrist due to longstanding scaphoid nonunion (SNAC-wrist) or scapholunate dissociation (SLAC-wrist). During the last decade, midcarpal fusion has become more and more popular as it preserves motion. The question, however, remained if the preserved motion is of real benefit from a patient point of view, as complete pain relief is rare following this type of limited wrist fusion. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of both treatments with the modified Cooney wrist score and the DASH questionnaire. Between 1993 and 1997, 138 patients with progressive carpal collapse were treated either by midcarpal fusion (97) or total wrist fusion (41). Overall satisfaction was high in both groups with 86% (midcarpal fusion) and 84% (total wrist fusion). The traditional wrist score (70 versus 52 points) and the DASH questionnaire (33 versus 45 points) revealed the superiority of midcarpal fusion. The correlation between the wrist score and the DASH was statistically high (p < 0.001), demonstrating the specificity and validity of the DASH questionnaire. Midcarpal fusion is preferable to total wrist fusion for treatment of progressive carpal collapse (SLAC- and SNAC-wrist). The DASH represents a sensitive tool to evaluate the outcome of salvage procedures for treatment of disorders of the wrist.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Patterns of subchondral bone mineralization in the wrist after midcarpal fusion.

Midcarpal fusion represents a salvage procedure in cases of advanced carpal collapse, which unloads the scaphoid compartment and redirects the load to the intact lunate compartment of the radiocarpal joint. The aim of this study was to obtain further information about the loading conditions in the living subject by evaluating the pattern of subchondral bone mineralization in patients who have undergone midcarpal fusion of the wrist. Between 4 and 42 months after the surgery, 9 male patients were examined by means of computed tomographic osteoabsorptiometry. All of them showed peak mineralization in the lunate fossa of the radius. Six patients had only one large density maximum in this fossa and no corresponding maximum in the scaphoid fossa. In accordance with our expectations, loading after midcarpal fusion was found to be transmitted mainly through the lunate compartment, a result that was observed even after as little as 4 months, and that thus confirmed subchondral bone mineralization as a valuable parameter for assessment of long-term stress distribution.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1999

[Dorsal intra-articular end-phalangeal fractures].

In a retrospective clinical study, thirty-six patients with a dorsal intraarticular fracture of the DIP-joint were examined. The fracture can be classified according to the size of the dorsal fragment as a mallet finger or as an intraarticular fracture with the tendency for dislocation. Subcutaneous tendon ruptures with a small dorsal fragment respond well to conservative treatment. Intraarticular fractures should be treated surgically. Anatomical reduction and joint stability are the treatment aims. In 21 patients, tension band wiring was performed, in eight cases percutaneous treatment with the "Hakendraht" was carried out.

Bone Wires↗
PubMed1999

[Proximal scaphoid pseudarthrosis--reconstruction by dorsal bone screw and spongiosa transplantation].

Stable fixation of small proximal pole nonunions of the scaphoid by conventional techniques of bone grafting remains difficult. Because of this, long-lasting immobilisation is necessary. Treatment by retrograde Herbert-screw fixation offers the possibility of stable osteosynthesis resulting in shorter immobilisation. Even in case of avascular proximal fragments, it allows healing of the nonunion. We report on the 29 months follow-up of 23 patients treated in this manner showing bony consolidation in 17 cases (74%). Four patients demonstrated fibrous nonunion with minor symptoms, and in two patients persistent nonunion with slight impairment was seen. Evaluation with the DASH-questionnaire revealed slight disability with an average score of ten points. The availability of the mini-Herbert-screw has improved this treatment concept.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Treatment outcome after surgical arthrodesis].

Different results are reported following total wrist fusion. We performed 64 total wrist fusions due to posttraumatic or degenerative arthrosis of the wrist including Kienböck's disease. Clinical outcome was evaluated using the DASH-questionnaire. The mean DASH-function/symptom score was 45.6 points (0 points representing the best possible results and 100 points representing the worst possible result). In addition, 35 patients of this group were reexamined clinically and radiologically using a modified traditional wrist score. The preliminary results of the traditional wrist score and the DASH-score demonstrated a significant correlation (r = -0.71; p < 0.001) indicating the validity of the DASH-score. In conclusion, this study shows that wrist fusion results in significant pain reduction and improvement of function. However, complete pain relief cannot be expected for the majority of patients. The new AO wrist fusion plate is used in our standard technique of wrist fusion. In a further study, we will investigate the outcome of total wrist fusion in comparison with limited wrist fusion using the DASH-questionnaire and the wrist score.

Adult↗