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Biomedical subjects

P J Stern

Publications and source records attributed to P J Stern.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Radiographic optimization of the Eaton classification.

Thumb basal arthritis is evaluated using the Eaton classification. However, the shape and orientation of the trapezium do not allow easy visualization of this bone. The purpose of this study was to determine if the intra- and interobserver reliability of the Eaton classification could be improved using a combination of X-rays. Six hand surgeons independently evaluated 40 sets of X-rays. First, the X-rays were staged using the posterior-anterior and lateral views of the wrist, and then using just the Bett's (Gedda's) view. Subsequently, all three views were evaluated together. The process was repeated at least 1 week later. Intra- and interobserver reliability was measured using kappa statistics. Results show a trend toward increased reliability when the three views are used. Agreement between the stages using the posterior-anterior and lateral X-rays and the Bett's view was only fair. With three views, intraobserver reproducibility is good while interobserver reliability is moderate.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The Sauve-Kapandji procedure and the Darrach procedure for distal radio-ulnar joint dysfunction after Colles' fracture.

This retrospective study evaluated the results of the Darrach procedure and the Sauve-Kapandji procedure for the treatment of distal radio-ulnar joint derangement following malunion of dorsally displaced, unstable, intraarticular fractures of the distal radius in patients under 50 years of age. Twelve of 18 possible patients in the Sauve-Kapandji group completed the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand survey at a mean of 4 years postoperatively and nine of the 18 returned for a follow-up examination at a mean of 2 years. Twenty-one of 30 possible patients in the Darrach group completed the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand survey at a mean of 6 years postoperatively and 13 of these 30 returned for follow-up examination at a mean of 4 years. The Darrach procedure and the Sauve-Kapandji procedure yielded comparable and unpredictable results with respect to both subjective and objective parameters.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Trapeziometacarpal arthrodesis in primary osteoarthritis: a minimum two-year follow-up study.

We retrospectively reviewed 49 patients with primary osteoarthritis who underwent 59 trapeziometacarpal (TM) arthrodeses to assess the efficacy of this procedure with respect to patient satisfaction and radiographic evidence of peritrapezial arthritis. The average patient age was 54 years (range, 41-73 years) and the average follow-up period was 7 years (range, 2-20 years). All TM arthrodeses used K-wires; 61 had a supplemental distal radius bone graft. There were 10 bilateral arthrodeses. There were 4 (7%) nonunions. Three nonunions were painless and 1 was painful. There were 2 patients who required a second procedure; 1 had a painful nonunion that was successfully treated with a repeat arthrodesis and the other had a solid but painful thumb that was treated with trapezial excision and soft tissue interposition. The average pain score at the time of the follow-up examination was 1.5 of 10. Thirty-three patients had postoperative radiographs; 7 had radiographic evidence of peritrapezial arthritis. Based on our findings we believe that isolated, symptomatic TM osteoarthritis in patients older than 40 years old is an indication of TM arthrodesis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Pyoderma gangrenosum of the hand: a case series and review of the literature.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rapidly developing cutaneous ulcer that is rare in the hand and may mimic a fulminating infection. The correct treatment is nonsurgical; surgery may actually incite a pathergic response worsening the condition. Misdiagnosis results in inappropriate treatment, unnecessary surgery, and even amputations. The records of 7 patients with pyoderma gangrenosum of the hand treated at 2 large academic medical centers between 1992 and 1999 were reviewed. There were 4 men and 3 women with an average age of 58 years (range, 32-81 years). Five patients had bilateral involvement. Minor trauma preceded the appearance of the lesions. An associated systemic disease was found in all patients with ulcerative colitis being the most common (3 patients). All patients initially had a misdiagnosis of infection. Thirteen misdiagnoses (range, 1-3/patient) resulted in 16 unnecessary surgeries (mean, 2.2/patient) including 4 amputations and 2 failed skin grafts. No surgical procedure resulted in clinical improvement. All cultures were negative. Several physicians (mean, 5; range, 3-7) examined each patient before the final diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum, which was made by, or in conjunction with, a dermatologist in all cases. The average time to clinical improvement after correct medical treatment was initiated was 5 days.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Thumb carpometacarpal osteoarthritis: arthrodesis compared with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition.

BACKGROUND: There has been considerable controversy regarding the procedure of choice for treatment of any given stage of osteoarthritis of the thumb carpometacarpal joint. This study was designed to directly compare the clinical results of two common surgical procedures for this condition, trapeziometacarpal arthrodesis and trapezial excision with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition, in similar patient populations. METHODS: Between 1988 and 1998, 109 patients (141 thumbs) who were less than sixty years old were treated with one of the two procedures. In a retrospective review, forty-two patients (fifty-eight thumbs) treated with arthrodesis completed an outcome questionnaire and twenty-nine patients (forty-four thumbs) treated with arthrodesis completed the questionnaire and were examined. In the group treated with trapezial excision with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition, thirty-nine patients (forty-nine thumbs) completed the questionnaire and thirty patients (thirty-eight thumbs) completed the questionnaire and were examined. The average duration of follow-up was sixty-nine months. The groups were similar with regard to age, gender, hand dominance, and duration of follow-up. RESULTS: Subjective evaluation of pain, function, and satisfaction demonstrated no significant difference between the two groups, with >90% of patients satisfied following either procedure. Although grip strength did not differ between the groups, the arthrodesis group had significantly stronger lateral pinch (p < 0.001) and chuck pinch (p < 0.01). The group treated with ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition had a better range of motion with regard to opposition (p < 0.05) and the ability to flatten the hand (p < 0.0001). There was a higher complication rate in the arthrodesis group, with nonunion of the fusion site accounting for the majority of the complications. However, despite a persistent nonunion in six thumbs, those thumbs and the thumbs in which union was obtained did not differ with regard to pain; all of the patients with nonunion had improvement in their pain status compared with preoperatively, and all were very satisfied with the outcome. Peritrapezial arthritis developed in nine patients (fourteen thumbs). This finding was not related to age and did not affect overall pain, function, or satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Although traditionally arthrodesis and ligament reconstruction and tendon interposition have been indicated in two different patient populations, we compared them in a homogeneous group and found that the two procedures had similar results with regard to pain, function, and satisfaction despite minimal differences in strength and motion. Although complications were more frequent following arthrodesis, most did not affect the overall outcome.

Arthrodesis↗
PubMed2001

Exchange nailing for failure of initially rodded tibial shaft fractures.

This retrospective study evaluated 32 patients who underwent exchange nailing for initially rodded nonunited tibial shaft fractures during a 5-year period. High-energy trauma accounted for 22 fractures; 19 fractures were open. An unreamed nail was initially used to stabilize all but 2 fractures. Implant failure occurred in 31% of fractures, mostly in distal-third fractures, with a failure rate of 34%. Average time from injury to exchange nailing was 36 weeks (range: 6-148 weeks) and consisted of closed reamed nailing and fibulectomy in 27 cases. Healing occurred an average of 20 weeks (range: 6-47 weeks) after postexchange nailing in 27 (84%) fractures. Four (12.5%) fractures healed after additional procedures. There was 1 persistent nonunion. Factors leading to delay in union time included comminution, healed fibula, and proximal location. Multiple regression analysis using survival data at P<.05 showed a significant correlation between fracture configuration and fixation method (locked, dynamic, and unlocked) on time to union. Exchange nailing with closed reaming and fibulectomy is a viable option for treating failures of primarily nailed tibial fractures. Increased stability and stimulation of arrested bone healing may account for the good outcome. The advantages of repeat reamed nailings should be weighed against the possible adverse effect of reaming on bone vascularity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Multiple epidermal inclusion cysts in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis: a case report.

A construction worker with rheumatoid arthritis presented with multiple soft tissue masses on the volar surface of the palm and digits. A misdiagnosis of rheumatoid nodules was made secondary to the patient's history of rheumatoid arthritis. Subsequent excision confirmed multiple epidermal inclusion cysts, which was not entertained in the preoperative differential diagnosis. Follow-up evaluation 3 years later revealed no evidence of local recurrence. Based on our literature review, multiple epidermal inclusion cysts is a rare entity and has not been reported in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Results following surgery for recurrent Dupuytren's disease.

This study was designed to assess the subjective and objective results following surgery for recurrent Dupuytren's disease. Nineteen patients (28 fingers) were treated surgically for recurrent contracture and were located for follow-up analysis at a median of 4 years (range, 1-15 years). Seventeen of 28 recurrences involved the small finger and 16 patients had at least one component of Dupuytren's diathesis. For the purpose of analysis the patients were divided into 3 groups: group A (total active range of motion [TAM] < 150 degrees ) consisted of 7 digits treated with limited fasciectomy and interphalangeal arthrodesis, group B (TAM >/= 150 degrees ) consisted of 8 digits treated with dermatofasciectomy and full-thickness skin graft, and group C (TAM >/= 150 degrees ) consisted of 13 digits treated with fasciectomy and local flaps. Total active range of motion reflecting the preoperative, immediately postoperative, and final follow-up values revealed that group C (fasciectomy and local flap) was the only group to maintain a statistically significant TAM improvement from preoperative (205 degrees ) to final follow-up (230 degrees ) analysis. Dermatofasciectomy and full-thickness skin grafting did not prevent recurrent contracture (preoperative TAM = 175 degrees; final follow-up TAM = 150 degrees ). Thirteen patients had abnormal Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing and 8 had abnormal 2-point discrimination. There were 3 anesthetic digits. Despite these findings, 18 of the 19 patients were unconditionally satisfied with their experience and would undergo the procedure again.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Dorsal fracture dislocations of the proximal interphalangeal joint: surgical complications and long-term results.

This retrospective study assessed the short-term complications and long-term subjective and objective results of operative treatment of acute unstable dorsal proximal interphalangeal joint dislocations treated by 2 methods: open reduction internal fixation and volar plate arthroplasty. Fifty-six patients were included in this study. Twenty-three (41%) were treated by volar plate arthroplasty and 33 (59%) were treated by open reduction internal fixation. Postoperative complications occurred in 10 patients (18%). The most frequent complication was redislocation, which occurred in 6 patients (volar plate arthroplasty, 3 patients; open reduction internal fixation, 3 patients) and necessitated salvage surgery in 4 of these 6 cases. In all 6 cases, the fracture of the base of the middle phalanx involved more than 50% of the articular surface. Twenty-four patients (43%) returned for long-term evaluation at an average follow-up period of 46 months (range, 13-125 months). Twenty of these 24 patients (83%) reported little or no pain despite a high incidence (96%) of posttraumatic degenerative changes. Eighteen (75%) reported no difficulty with work activities; 92% continued leisure activities with little or no modification. Proximal interphalangeal joint flexion contractures and extension lag at the distal interphalangeal joint were common. These data indicate that if reduction is maintained, patients may expect few functional deficits despite radiographic degenerative changes and loss of mobility.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Recurrent giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath.

Seventy patients underwent surgical excision of a giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath. The patients were monitored for an average of 3 years 4 months. Nineteen of the 70 patients (27%) had a surgically and histologically documented recurrence at an average of 2 years 3 months (range, 3 months to 10 years) following the initial procedure. Eight of 19 patients (42%) with recurrence had a prior recurrence. Statistically significant risk factors for recurrence included presence of adjacent degenerative joint disease, location at the distal interphalangeal joint of the finger or interphalangeal joint of the thumb, and radiographic presence of an osseous pressure erosion. Age, gender, size, and location within the digit (volar vs. dorsal) were not risk factors for recurrence. Awareness of these associations should be reflected in the surgeon's approach and preoperative discussion with the patient.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Distal biceps ruptures. A followup of Boyd and Anderson repair.

Twenty-one distal biceps ruptures in 20 patients were treated during a 10-year period. All patients were men with an average age of 47 years (range, 37-70 years). Long term results (average, 44 months) were assessed using the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand outcomes questionnaire, isokinetic testing of elbow flexion and supination (strength and endurance), and patient satisfaction. Measurements of range of motion revealed diminished forearm rotation in four of 21 (19%) elbows and diminished flexion in one of 21 (5%). Isokinetic testing revealed 10 of 21 (48%) elbows had weakness of supination versus three of 21 (14%) for flexion. Deficits in endurance included eight of 21 (38%) elbows for supination and seven of 21 (33%) for flexion. Seven complications occurred in seven patients for a 35% complication rate. Heterotopic ossification was the most common complication, occurring in three patients. One of these patients also had a synostosis. All patients completed the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand outcomes questionnaire. Twelve patients had an excellent outcome, eight had a good outcome, and no patient had a fair or poor outcome. These results correlated closely with the patients' own subjective assessments of their satisfaction with the procedure. Despite diminished strength and endurance and a high rate of complications, patient satisfaction was excellent and functional outcome was good.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Upper-extremity tendinitis and overuse syndromes in the athlete.

Overuse injuries are the result of repetitive microtrauma to the musculotendinous unit. Treatment protocols are based on the stage of the inflammatory process that is active at the time of diagnosis. Control of the inflammatory response with rest, elevation, and ice is the treatment objective during the inflammatory stage. Prevention of further injury is the primary treatment goal throughout the proliferative phase. Once the inflammatory process has reached the maturation stage, rehabilitation can begin with flexibility exercises, isometric contractions, and a slow return to strength training. Surgical decompression is frequently necessary if chronic inflammation causes fibrosis of the fibro-osseous tendon sheaths. Anomalous muscle bellies and tendinous interconnections can be contributing factors to overuse syndromes. Properly structured training programs and rehabilitation regimens can prevent tendinitis and overuse syndromes.

Arm↗
PubMed1998

Complications and range of motion following plate fixation of metacarpal and phalangeal fractures.

Eighty-two patients with 105 metacarpal and/or phalangeal fractures stabilized with plates were retrospectively reviewed to assess complications and outcomes. Despite stable fixation and early mobilization, major complications were encountered in 36% of fractures, especially with phalangeal and open fractures. Complications included stiffness, nonunion, plate prominence, infection, and tendon rupture. Forty-eight of 63 (76%) metacarpal fractures and 44 of 66 (67%) closed fractures had a final range of motion greater than 220 degrees; however, only 4 of 37 (11%) phalangeal fractures and 8 of 34 (24%) open fractures achieved this outcome. Despite technical advances in plate design and instrumentation, including lower-profile titanium plates, complications occur commonly with metacarpal and phalangeal fractures, leading to a high incidence of unsatisfactory results. We do not condemn plate fixation, and attribute many of our unsatisfactory results to the frequent use of plates in open and phalangeal fractures.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Ulnocarpal abutment. Treatment options.

Ulnocarpal abutment presents a significant clinical challenge. In the last two decades, the anatomy of the ulnar side of the wrist and the pathophysiology of ulnocarpal abutment have been defined more clearly. Based on this greater understanding, a variety of treatments have been devised. This article reviews the current methods of treatment of ulnocarpal abutment.

Humans↗
PubMed1998

The phylogeny of the wrist.

The phylogeny, or evolutionary development, of the wrist can be traced from its origin as a pectoral fin of a fish living 400 million years ago. As species became more terrestrial, the wrist evolved into a weight-bearing joint, with syndesmotic attachment of the distal radius and ulna, the ulnar styloid articulating with the pisiform and triquetral bones. With the appearance of primates, the wrist took its present form, with no ulnocarpal articulation but with a synovially lined distal radioulnar joint and triangular fibrocartilage complex, allowing for wrist mobility.

Animals↗