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Complex injuries of the forearm. Coverage considerations.

Complex forearm injuries involve damage to the skin and underlying tissues. The best results are obtained when a multidisciplinary approach is taken to their management. Management of the acute injury should be done in a manner that takes into consideration late reconstructive procedures and best possible final function outcome. This article reviews initial management and options for soft-tissue coverage. Advantages and disadvantages of a wide variety of procedures are discussed and in addition the authors review some of the more controversial areas and give personal preferences.

Debridement↗

A prosthetic appliance for a patient with a brachial plexus injury and forearm amputation: a case report.

Among the prosthetic and orthotic appliances available, neither a conventional mechanical prosthesis nor the myoelectric control system provided optimal results for a 19-year-old patient with a traumatic, irreversible paralysis of the brachial plexus and below-elbow amputation. A new device was therefore constructed that combined the mechanical pull of the first system and the electric hand of the second. Its functions, the training program, and the end result are reported.

Adult↗

Forearm arterial injuries.

The effects of single forearm arterial injuries with and without associated neurological injuries were studied. Fifty subjects were evaluated: seven patients with isolated arterial lacerations, 15 patients with isolated nerve lacerations, 13 patients with combined nerve and arterial injuries, and 15 control subjects. A series of noninvasive peripheral vascular studies were correlated with the symptoms produced by a controlled cold-environment exposure. The hemodynamic alterations associated with symptoms of hand ischemia, and particularly with cold intolerance, were studied. Unrepaired single arterial injuries caused modest, consistent alterations in hand vascularity, but few signs of ischemia or symptoms of cold intolerance. The remaining intact artery demonstrated a consistent increase in flow velocity. Combined nerve and artery injuries caused the most significant alterations in hand vascularity, and median nerve and associated artery injuries caused the most disabling symptoms. Single arterial lacerations had no effect on the rate or completeness of recovery from associated nerve injuries.

Arteries↗

Exercise-induced muscle injury augments forearm vascular resistance during leg exercise.

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the effect of exercise-induced muscle injury on hemodynamic responses during exercise. Ten subjects performed unilateral isometric knee extensions (IKE) at 30% of preinjury maximum voluntary contraction to fatigue and for 3 min before and 48 h after muscle injury. Muscle injury was elicited by performing 8 sets of 10 repetitions of eccentric muscle actions of the knee extensor muscles (i.e., quadriceps muscles) by lowering a weight equivalent to 75% of eccentric maximum load. Exercise time to fatigue for IKE at 30% of maximum voluntary contraction in the injured leg was significantly decreased from preinjury to postinjury IKE (257 +/- 21 to 203 +/- 23 s; n = 10), but was unchanged in the control leg (244 +/- 16 to 254 +/- 20 s; n = 7). With the use of a 10-cm visual analog scale, ratings of muscle soreness in the injured leg increased from 0 to 5. 1 +/- 0.7 cm (P < 0.001) but were not changed in the control leg (0 both times). Both heart rate and mean arterial pressure responses to exercise were unchanged following muscle injury. Forearm blood flow and forearm vascular resistance were not different at rest and during the first minute of exercise before and after muscle injury. However, after muscle injury, forearm blood flow was significantly lower and forearm vascular resistance was significantly higher (P < 0.03) during the second and third minutes of exercise. There were no significant changes in any variables with the contralateral control leg. In four subjects, resting magnetic resonance images demonstrated a 23% greater relative cross-sectional area of the knee extensor muscles with an elevated transverse relaxation time in the injured versus control leg. The results indicate that forearm vascular resistance is augmented during isometric knee extension following muscle injury of the knee extensor muscles. The data suggest that muscle injury alters vascular control to non-exercising skeletal muscle during exercise.

Adult↗

[Bipolar dislocation injury of the forearm].

Bipolar dislocation injury of the forearm is rarely documented. It is a combined forearm injury with trauma on the elbow side and on the side of the wrist joint. We describe two different cases of this complex dislocation. The first patient suffered from a Monteggia-like dislocation fracture with transscaphoid dislocation of the wrist. The second person had an acute longitudinal radioulnar membrane dissociation after elbow dislocation with an additional scapholunate tendon rupture. The difficult management of these injuries is illustrated by these cases.

Elbow Joint↗

Patency after repair of forearm arterial injuries in animal models.

Repairs of single artery forearm injuries have only a 50% patency rate. The single artery repairs in the forelimbs of the 10 dogs and 42 rabbits studied in this investigation also had patency rates of approximately 50%. The collateral arteries appeared to be a factor causing the low patency rate since ligating them increased the patency of the repaired vessels, and because arteriograms showed dilation of existing collaterals after occlusion of the repaired artery. Pressure and compliance measurements made before the repair were not able to predict patency. Furthermore, attempts to improve the patency rate by temporarily clamping the collateral artery or by denervating the injured artery were not successful.

Angiography↗

Early psychological stress after forearm nerve injuries: a predictor for long-term functional outcome and return to productivity.

Forearm and wrist injuries can result in a nonfunctional hand caused by loss of motor and sensory functions. Psychological stress is known to accompany traumatic hand injuries and may therefore affect functional outcome. The authors conducted a retrospective study of 107 patients diagnosed with a median, ulnar, or combined median-ulnar nerve injury (79% response rate) who completed a questionnaire package consisting of the Impact of Event Scale (IES); Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand; and a questionnaire concerning return to work and time off work. In an outpatient setting, motor and sensory recovery were examined. Ninety-four percent of those studied experienced early psychological stress. Thirty-six percent of patients reported sufficient symptoms 1 month postoperatively to be classified as in need for psychological treatment (IES score > 30 points). Combined median-ulnar nerve injuries (mean, 35.0 +/- 20.3 points [standard deviation]) were accompanied by a higher psychological stress compared with single nerve injuries (median injuries: mean, 24.2 +/- 20.6 points; ulnar injuries: mean, 22.6 +/- 19.5 points; p = 0.049 and p = 0.021 respectively). Multiple linear regression adjusting for age, gender, and severity of the trauma revealed an association between the IES score and the functional symptom score (beta = 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35-0.65), mean time off work (beta = 0.44; 95% CI, 0.25-0.75), and motor recovery (grip: beta = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.09-0.65; tip-pinch: beta = 0.46; 95% CI, 0.13-0.80). Patients with higher scores on the IES were found to be at increased risk for incapacity for work (odds ratio, 3.32; 95% CI, 1.60-6.91). Higher education was found to be a protecting variable for posttraumatic psychopathology (beta = -0.23; 95% CI, -6.05--0.246). This study demonstrated a high level of early posttraumatic psychological stress after forearm and wrist nerve injuries. These data provide evidence that functional outcome and work resumption are influenced negatively by early psychological stress, independent from severity of the somatic trauma. This indicates that outcome after upper extremity nerve injuries may be influenced positively by psychological intervention.

Adolescent↗

Subclinical injury to forearm nerves during radial harvesting: electrophysiologic study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: There are few reports about injury to forearm nerves and its potential mechanisms during radial artery (RA) harvesting. We studied electrophysiologic changes in these nerves not sought until now. METHODS: Among 152 consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery between February 2002 and August 2002, 20 were randomized for RA harvesting and formed the study group and 20 were randomized as control group. Neurologic examination and electrophysiologic studies were performed for sensory and motor impairment of the nerves in both groups pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: There was no change on neurologic examinations before and after surgery. Electromyography (EMG) revealed significant reduction in sensory and motor conduction amplitudes of median, ulnar, and radial nerves and motor conduction velocities of median and ulnar nerves at the level of forearm in the study group. In the control group, ulnar nerve was mostly affected. When two groups are compared, sensory and motor amplitude drops of median and radial nerves and motor velocity impairment of median nerve in the study group are significant. Ulnar nerve impairments are identical in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Handling of tissues, minor hematoma or edema along with chest retraction best explains these impairments. Patients were asymptomatic after surgery showing that EMG is highly sensitive and is not predictive of clinical impairment.

Action Potentials↗

Operative treatment of humeral shaft fractures.

The results of the operative treatment of 27 humeral shaft fractures treated at the University of Louisville during a 2-year period were reviewed. The aim of this study was to analyze 1) the indications and results of surgical treatment, 2) the indications for nailing versus plating, and 3) the failures and their treatment (especially surgical nonunions). Indications for surgery were polytrauma patients (including open fractures, associated neurovascular injuries, associated ipsilateral forearm injuries) and isolated unstable fractures in which closed reduction failed. Plate and screw osteosynthesis was used in patients with proximal and distal fractures, in the presence of neurovascular injuries, progressive radial nerve palsy and failure of closed reduction due to interposition of soft tissue. Intramedullary antegrade nailing was preferentially used in polytrauma patients. Seven patients (25%) needed further surgery because of nonunion. The frequency was higher after plating (30%) than after nailing (20%), it was more common in comminuted fractures, middle third fractures and after insufficient distal locking. Exchange nailing resulted in union in 5 of the 7 cases. Although excellent results with low complication rates are reported in the recent literature following plate and screw osteosynthesis or locked intramedullary nailing, we found that operative treatment of difficult humeral shaft fractures is still fraught with a high complication rate.

Bone Nails↗

The effect of wrist guard use on upper-extremity injuries in snowboarders.

The objective of this investigation was to determine the effect of wrist guard use on all upper-extremity injuries in snowboarders. This matched case-control study was conducted at 19 ski areas in Quebec, Canada. Cases were 1,066 injured snowboarders who reported upper-extremity injuries to the ski patrol during the 2001-2002 season. Controls were 970 snowboarders with non-upper-extremity injuries who were matched to cases on ski area and the nearest date, age, and sex, in that order. The response rate was 71.8% (73.5% for cases and 70.1% for controls). Cases were compared with controls with regard to wrist guard use. The prevalence of wrist guard use among snowboarders with hand, wrist, or forearm injuries was 1.6%; for those with elbow, upper arm, or shoulder injuries, it was 6.3%; and for controls, it was 3.9%. Thus, wrist guard use reduced the risk of hand, wrist, or forearm injury by 85% (adjusted odds ratio = 0.15, 95% confidence interval: 0.05, 0.45). However, the adjusted odds ratio for elbow, upper arm, or shoulder injury was 2.35 (95% confidence interval: 0.70, 7.81). These results provide evidence that use of wrist guards reduces the risk of hand, wrist, and forearm injuries but may increase the risk of elbow, upper arm, and shoulder injuries.

Adolescent↗

Brachial and forearm vessel injuries.

Upper extremity vascular injuries are common in trauma. The mortality rate from these injuries is quite low; however, the morbidity rate is quite significant. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can reduce the amputation rate for these injuries to minimal. Furthermore, morbidity from late complications of chronic ischemia, restenosis, and cold intolerance can be decreased as well. Fasciotomy, although less frequently required than in lower extremity injuries, should be used in all cases of suspected compartment syndrome.

Amputation, Surgical↗

The forearm complex: anatomy, biomechanics and clinical considerations.

The forearm complex is comprised of the proximal radioulnar joint, middle radioulnar joint/interosseous membrane, and the distal radioulnar joint. These three areas function in a coordinated manner to rotate the hand in space and allow performance of functional tasks. If a structure or structures in one of these three areas is disrupted, this can adversely affect the function at any of the other two remaining areas. Surgical intervention focuses on restoring anatomical alignment to preserve the function of the forearm complex. Rehabilitation is guided by the relationships between the three areas of the forearm complex and the awareness of clinical signs, symptoms, and complications. The purposes of this paper are to 1) describe the anatomy and biomechanical function of the forearm complex and 2) discuss clinical correlates pertaining to select forearm injuries (excluding peripheral nerve injuries) that may affect forearm function.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Passive strain distribution in the interosseous ligament of the forearm: implications for injury reconstruction.

PURPOSE: For severe forearm injuries such as an Essex-Lopresti fracture-dislocation, functional reconstruction necessitates repair of the interosseous ligament (IOL) to restore normal load sharing between the radius and ulna. Locating or tensioning such a reconstruction improperly can lead to abnormal load sharing and/or restriction of forearm rotation. The normal IOL strains should indicate the proper location of reconstruction grafts and the proper forearm rotation for tensioning the grafts. The objective of this study was to quantify the passive strain distribution of the IOL of the forearm with passive rotation of the forearm throughout the range of motion. METHODS: The 3-dimensional motions of the radius with respect to the ulna were measured throughout forearm rotation in 10 cadaveric forearms by using an instrumented spatial linkage. From the bone motions and ligament insertion site geometry from dissection and computed tomographic scanning, insertion site motions were determined and used to calculate changes in ligament fiber lengths. RESULTS: The measured strain distribution in the IOL was nonuniform and varied with forearm rotation. The overall magnitude of IOL strain was found to be greatest in supination and smallest in pronation. In supination the strains varied across fibers with strains being greatest in the distal fibers and lowest in the proximal fibers. Strains in neutral rotation were uniform across fibers. Although fibers were generally slack in pronation proximal fibers were less slack than distal fibers. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that fiber strains in the IOL vary from proximal to distal and depend on forearm rotation. Our data suggest that to prevent restriction of forearm rotation all grafts should be tensioned in supination, where measured strains were generally highest. Our data also suggest that a 2-bundle IOL reconstruction may be necessary for proper load transfer between the radius and ulna in both supination and pronation.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗