OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of regeneration and conduction function for peripheral nerve after neurolysis by nerve special staining and electrophysiology. METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into four groups(n = 15), four methods were designed on rats models of sciatic nerve compression. There were simple decompression as group A, internal neurolysis after decompression as group B, lemithason(0.5 mg/kg) injected in the epineurium after decompression as group C, and lemithason(0.5 mg/kg) injected around the epineurium after decompression and internal neurolysis as group D. Motor nerve conduction velocity(MNCV) and motor latency (Lan) were monitored at 1,2,3,4,5 weeks after decompression, sections were regularly taken from the previously compressed area to perform morphometric analysis. RESULTS: After 2 weeks of decompression, the significant recovery were observed in both MNCV and Lan of four groups. Up to the 5th week of decompression, recovery of electrophysiology was significantly faster in group C and D than that of group A and B, particular in group C(P lt; 0.05), while group A compared with group B, there was no statistical difference in both MNCV and Lan(P gt; 0.05). Morphometric analysis showed that a lot of neural regeneration fibers were observed in group C and D after 3 weeks of decompression. CONCLUSION: Decompression can improve nerve conduction function significantly, while injection of lemithason in epineurium after decompression can promote the structure and function recovery of injured nerve.
Objective To investigate the blood supply of the ulnar nerve in the elbow region and to design the procedure of anterior transposition of ulnar nerve accompanied with arteries for cubital tunnel syndrome.Methods The vascularity of the ulnar nerve was observed and measured in20adult cadaver upper limb specimens. And the clinical surgical procedure was imitated in 3 adult cadaver upper limb specimens. Results There were three major arteries to supply the ulnar nerve at the elbow region: the superior ulnar collateral artery, the inferior ulnar collateral artery and the posterior ulnar recurrent artery. The distances from arterial origin to the medial epicondyle were 14.2±0.9, 4.2±0.6 and 4.8±1.1 cm respectively. And the total length of the vessels travelling alone with the ulnar nerve were 15.0±1.3,5.1±0.3 and 5.6±0.9 cm. The external diameter of the arteries at the beginning spot were 1.5±0.5, 1.2±0.3 and 1.4±0.5 mm respectively. The perpendicular distance of the three arteries were 1.2±0.5,2.7±0.9 and 1.3±0.5 cm respectively.Conclusion It is feasible to perform anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve accompanied with arteries for cubital tunnel syndrome. And the procedure preserves the blood supply of the ulnar nerve following transposition.
Talipes equinovarus is a very common con-genital foot deformity. From 1985 till 1989,tatalof 30 feet in 23 Patients had been operated by theauthor using subtalar realigment procedure afterall the necessayr release with neurovascular bundleprotected. The position was kept by 2 Kirschner swires,one through talonavicular joint into the talus and other through calcaneous vertically upward into the talus without penetrating into the anklejoint. The total period of plaster immobilizationranged from 8 to 12 weeks. The average age at surgery 6 months old.The results were excellent in 24 feet, good in 5 and less satisfactory in 1 due to overcorrection.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of non-heated silver needle decompression under the guidance of pathogenic principle of muscle shortening on patients with cervical vertebra disease of the nerve root type. MethodsSixty patients diagnosed with cervical vertebra disease of the nerve root type between April 2007 and June 2009 were divided randomly into therapy group (n=30), treated with non-heated silver needle decompression, and control group (n=30), treated with physical therapy. Then, we observed the total effective rate, positive physical signs and electrophysiological indexes of the patients 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment. ResultsThe total effective rate was 96.7%, 93.3%, 93.3% and 86.7% in the therapy group 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment, while it was 80.0%, 63.3%, 60.0%, and 50.0% in the control group, and the diTherence between the two groups in each time point was significant (P<0.05). The rate of positive sign in the top pressure test and Brachial plexus traction test lowered significantly 3, 6, and 12 months after treatment in both the two groups (P<0.05), while the rate lowered significantly only in the therapy group 2 years after treatment (P<0.05). Paraspinal tenderness lowered significantly at each time point in the therapy group after treatment (P<0.05), while the decrease in the control group had no significance (P<0.05). The interpeak latency of somatosensory evoked potential N9-N13 got significantly shorter at each time point after treatment in the therapy group (P<0.05), while this only happened at the time points of 3 and 6 months after treatment in the control group (P<0.05). The latency of wave F got significantly shorter at each time point after treatment in the therapy group (P<0.05), while the shortening only occurred 6 months after treatment in the control group (P<0.05). ConclusionNon-heated silver needle decompression under the guidance of pathogenic principle of muscle shortening is an effective treatment for patients with cervical vertebra disease of the nerve root type.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of correcting post-traumatic equinovarus deformity using Ilizarov external fixation technique combined with limited osteotomy. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 29 patients with post-traumatic equinovarus deformity treated between July 2018 and March 2023. The cohort included 18 males and 11 females, with ages ranging from 15 to 57 years (mean, 24.3 years). All patients exhibited ankylosed ankle joints with equinovarus deformity. During surgery, external fixators were installed according to Ilizarov pinning principles, and minimally invasive osteotomy was performed at the ankle joint. Concurrently, soft tissue release was achieved via minimally invasive Achilles tendon lengthening. Postoperatively, multiplanar deformity correction was accomplished through gradual adjustment of the external fixator. The fixator was removed after bony union at the osteotomy site, followed by bracing. The surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, fixator wear time, and complications were recorded. Postoperative outcomes included assessment of deformity correction and bony union at the osteotomy site. Functional improvement and pain relief were evaluated using pre- and post-operative scores from the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and visual analogue scale (VAS) score. Results All 29 patients were followed up 12-24 months (mean, 18 months). The mean surgical duration was 85.6 minutes, with a mean intraoperative blood loss of 110 mL. Full deformity correction was achieved within 26-80 days (mean, 40.7 days) through progressive fixator adjustments. At correction completion, all ankles restored to a neutral or 5°-10° dorsiflexed position with plantigrade foot function. Superficial pin tract infections occurred in 3 patients (10.3%), resolved with local wound care, enhanced nursing, and oral antibiotics. No deep or systemic infections was observed. One patient sustained a calcaneal half-pin fracture due to a fall during fixator wear, but no bone fragment displacement occurred. No vascular or neurological complication was reported. Complete bony union was achieved at all osteotomy sites without nonunion. At last follow-up, the AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score improved from preoperative 42.7±8.7 to postoperative 65.7±9.3, and the VAS score decreased from preoperative 4.5±1.3 to postoperative 2.5±1.1, with significant differences (P<0.05). Functional outcomes were rated as excellent in 14 cases, good in 13 cases, fair in 1 case, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 93.1%. ConclusionThe progressive correction strategy combining Ilizarov external fixation technique with limited foot osteotomy effectively corrects post-traumatic equinovarus deformity while preserving soft tissue integrity. This method is associated with minimal, largely controllable complications and achieves alignment stability and fusion outcomes comparable to traditional open surgery, making it an effective treatment for complex foot and ankle deformities.
ObjectiveTo review and analyze the long-term results of delayed repair of median nerve injury. MethodsBetween January 2004 and December 2008, 228 patients with median nerve injury undergoing delayed repair were followed up for more than 4 years, and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 176 males (77.19%) and 52 females (22.81%), aged 2-71 years (median, 29 years). The main injury reason was cutting injury in 159 cases (69.74%);203 cases had open injury (89.04%). According to the injury level, injury located at area I (upper arm) in 38 cases (16.67%), at area II (elbow and proximal forearm) in 53 cases (23.25%), at area III (anterior interosseous nerve) in 13 cases (5.70%), and at area IV (distal forearm to wrist) in 124 cases (54.39%). The delayed operations included delayed suture (50 cases, 21.93%), nerve release (149 cases, 65.35%), and nerve graft (29 cases, 12.72%). ResultsFor patients with injury at area I and area II, the results were good in 23 cases (25.27%), fair in 56 cases (61.54%), and poor in 12 cases (13.18%) according to modified Birch and Raji’s median nerve grading system;there was significant difference in the results between 3 repair methods for injury at area II (χ2=6.228, P=0.044), but no significant difference was found for injury at area I (χ2=2.241, P=0.326). Twelve patients (13.18%) needed musculus flexor functional reconstruction. Recovery of thenar muscle was poor in all patients, but only 5 cases (5.49%) received reconstruction. Thirteen cases of nerve injury at area III had good results, regardless of the repair methods. For patients with injury at area IV, the results were excellent in 6 cases (4.84%), good in 22 cases (17.74%), fair in 72 cases (58.06%), and poor in 24 cases (19.35%) according to Birch and Raji’s grading system;there was significant difference in the results between 3 repair methods (χ2=12.646, P=0.002), and the result of delayed repair was better. ConclusionThe results of delayed repair is poor for all median nerve injuries, especially for high level injury. The technique of repair methods vary with injury level. For some delayed median nerve injuries, early nerve transfer may be a better choice for indicative patients.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of Ilizarov technique in treatment of rigid congenital clubfoot in older children. Methods A clinical data of 55 patients (69 feet) with rigid congenital clubfoot (Diméglio grade Ⅳ) between September 2005 and September 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 33 boys and 22 girls with an average age of 11 years (range, 6-14 years). There were 41 cases of unilateral clubfoot and 14 cases of bilateral clubfeet. The degree of foot deformity was rated as fair in 24 feet and as poor in 45 feet according to International Clubfoot Study Group (ICFSG) score before operation. Sixty-nine feet were treated by Ilizarov external fixator combined with limited soft tissue release, and 21 feet were combined with individualized V-shaped osteotomies. Results All patients were followed up 2-10 years ( mean, 4.2 years). The incisions healed well after operation. Five cases of needle tract infection occurred and were cured by local dressing change. The effectiveness was excellent in 39 feet, good in 21 feet, and fair in 9 feet according to ICFSG score, with the excellent and good rate of 87.0%. During the follow-up, X-ray films showed that no blood supply disorder or necrosis of talus, scaphoid, cuneiform, metatarsal, calcaneus, and cuboid occurred. No osteomyelitis occurred. Conclusion Ilizarov technique combined with limited soft tissue release or V-shaped osteotomy for the older children with rigid congenital clubfeet is safe and can obtain significant orthopedic effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo explore the surgical technique and effectiveness of sliding osteotomy of medial femur condyle in handling soft tissue balance of severe valgus deformity in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MethodsBetween June 2008 and February 2014, 18 cases (19 knees) of severe valgus knees undergoing sliding osteotomy of medial femur condyle in primary TKA were included. Of the 18 patients, 6 were male and 12 were female with an average age of 52.3 years (range, 29-72 years), including 3 cases (3 knees) of osteoarthritis, 11 cases (12 knees) of rheumatoid arthritis, 3 cases (3 knees) of post-traumatic arthritis, and 1 case (1 knee) of deformities in skeletal dysplasia. Before surgery, the tibial-femur angle (TFA) was (33.0±2.9)°; the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score was 41.6±7.7; the Knee Society Score (KSS) lateral stability score was 6.0±5.4. All cases were rated as type II according to Krackow classification of valgus knee. During primary TKA, sliding osteotomy of medial femur condyle was performed via a medial parapatellar approach. ResultsIncision healed by first intention in all cases. Peroneal nerve palsy occurred in 1 patient, which was cured after 6 months of conservative treatment. Eighteen cases were followed up 19 months to 7 years, with an average of 5.7 years. All patients had no complications of deep vein thrombosis, deep infection, and prosthesis loosening. X-ray films showed that bone healing was achieved in all cases at 6 months. At last follow-up, the TFA was (4.8±1.8)°, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative value (t=62.61, P=0.00). The HSS score was 87.2±10.5 and the KSS lateral stability score was 12.4±3.1, all showing significant differences when compared with preoperative scores (t= —33.35, P=0.00; t= —6.83, P=0.00). ConclusionSliding osteotomy of medial femur condyle is effective for correcting severe valgus knee deformity during TKA. Satisfactory joint function and stability may be achieved.