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The Journal of the American Academy of... Feb 2021The ability to predict contracture development after elbow fracture would benefit patients and physicians. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the...
PURPOSE
The ability to predict contracture development after elbow fracture would benefit patients and physicians. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the development of posttraumatic elbow joint contracture.
METHODS
A retrospective review of elbow fractures (AO/Orthopaedic Trauma Association [OTA] type 13 and 21) treated at one institution between 2011 and 2015 was performed. Data collected included demographics, injury information, treatment, and postoperative elbow range of motion (ROM). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with contracture development. Notable contracture was defined as an arc of motion less than 100° flexion/extension, which has been associated with reduced ability to perform activities of daily living.
RESULTS
A total of 278 patients at least 1 8 years of age underwent surgical repair of an elbow fracture or fracture-dislocation during the study period and had at least 6 months of postoperative follow-up. Forty-two (15.1%) developed a clinically notable elbow contracture, of whom 29 (69.0%) developed heterotopic ossification (HO). Multivariate analysis of preoperative variables demonstrated that AO/OTA 13-C fracture classification (odds ratio [OR], 13.7, P = 0.025), multiple noncontiguous fractures (OR, 3.7, P = 0.010), and ulnohumeral dislocation at the time of injury (OR, 4.9, P = 0.005) were independently associated with contracture development. At 6 weeks postoperatively, an arc of elbow ROM less than 50° flexion/extension (OR, 23.0, P < 0.0005) and the presence of HO on radiographs (OR, 6.7, P < 0.0005) were found to be independent risk factors for significant elbow stiffness.
DISCUSSION
Ulnohumeral dislocation, multiple noncontiguous fractures, AO/OTA 13-C fracture classification, limited elbow ROM at 6 weeks postoperatively, and the presence of radiographic HO at 6 weeks postoperatively are associated with contracture development after surgical elbow fracture repair. Patients with these risk factors should receive aggressive physical therapy and be counseled as to the possible development of a contracture requiring surgical intervention.
Topics: Activities of Daily Living; Contracture; Elbow; Elbow Joint; Humans; Infant; Joint Dislocations; Range of Motion, Articular; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32618682
DOI: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-18-00801 -
The Knee Dec 2021Therapies for arthrofibrosis after knee surgery are needed to prevent loss of joint function. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonists (IL-1RA) have shown promise in treating...
BACKGROUND
Therapies for arthrofibrosis after knee surgery are needed to prevent loss of joint function. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonists (IL-1RA) have shown promise in treating established arthrofibrosis in pilot clinical studies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of intra-articular injection of IL-1RA to prevent knee joint contracture in a post-traumatic knee immobilization model.
METHODS
20 male Sprague Dawley rats were block randomized into two groups: control and IL-1RA. Rats underwent intra-articular surgical trauma of the right knee with placement of an immobilization suture, securing the knees in 150° flexion. On post-operative days 1 and 8, each group received a 0.1 ml intra-articular injection of either saline (control) or anakinra (IL-1RA:single dosage; 2.63 mg/kg). Rats were euthanized fourteen days after surgery and the immobilization femorotibial angles were measured on the operative limbs with the suture and musculature intact. Subsequently, musculature was removed and femorotibial angles were measured in the operative and non-operative limbs with a defined extension moment applied with the posterior capsule intact or cut. A contracture angle was calculated as the angular difference between the operative and non-operative limb.
RESULTS
The immobilization knee flexion angle did not differ (P = 0.761) between groups (control: 152 ± 9; IL-1RA: 150 ± 11). The joint contracture angles (smaller angle = improved outcome) were reduced by 12 degrees on average in the IL-1RA group compared to the control for both the capsule intact (P = 0.024) and cut (P = 0.019) states.
CONCLUSIONS
Intra-articular IL-1RA injection was found to diminish knee extension deficits associated with arthrofibrosis in a post-traumatic joint immobilization model.
Topics: Animals; Contracture; Immobilization; Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; Knee Joint; Male; Range of Motion, Articular; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Interleukin-1
PubMed: 34715560
DOI: 10.1016/j.knee.2021.10.011 -
Journal of ISAKOS : Joint Disorders &... Feb 2024Treatment of the stiff elbow can be a challenging task. A thorough understanding of normal elbow anatomy and the potential causes of elbow contracture are essential for... (Review)
Review
Treatment of the stiff elbow can be a challenging task. A thorough understanding of normal elbow anatomy and the potential causes of elbow contracture are essential for the development of effective treatment strategies. This chapter provides a review of key points for the treating surgeon including normal elbow anatomy, etiological factors that commonly contribute to elbow stiffness, physical examination and imaging of the stiff elbow, and treatment options for contracture correction.
Topics: Humans; Elbow; Elbow Joint; Joint Dislocations; Treatment Outcome; Contracture
PubMed: 37866511
DOI: 10.1016/j.jisako.2023.10.006 -
Danish Medical Journal May 2018The purpose of this study was to explore if there was a correlation between joint level and degree of contracture on the one hand and the risk of skin tear in...
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this study was to explore if there was a correlation between joint level and degree of contracture on the one hand and the risk of skin tear in Dupuytren's disease (DD) on the other, when treated with collagenase from Clostridium histolyticum. No trial or study has explored the risk of skin tear as primary outcome in a population that has not been treated for DD before.
METHODS
A retrospective study of prospectively collected data was performed on patients with DD treated with collagenase from 1 August 2012 to 1 April 2014. Skin tear was classified as "Yes" or "No" and not quantified by tear size for further analysis.
RESULTS
A total of 105 contractures in 90 patients with DD were included. In all, 77 contractures at the metacarpophalangeal (MP) joint and 28 at the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) joint. A total of 59 contractures experienced skin tear. The relative risk (RR) of skin tear was 1.5 for an MP joint of ≥ 60° contracture compared with an MP joint at 20-59° (p = 0.17). The RR of skin tear was 2.2 for a PIP joint of ≥ 60° contracture compared to a PIP joint of 20-59° (p = 0.04). The RR for skin tear was 1.1 for an MP joint compared with the PIP joint (p = 0.74). The RR for skin tear was 1.7 for contractures of ≥ 60° compared to 20-59° regardless of level (p = 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
There is a significantly higher relative risk of skin tear when the contracture is ≥ 60° and when the contracture is ≥ 60° and located at the PIP joint. The most important factor regarding the risk of skin tear is the degree of the contracture.
FUNDING
none.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency.
Topics: Aged; Clostridium histolyticum; Collagenases; Dupuytren Contracture; Female; Finger Joint; Humans; Injections; Male; Metacarpophalangeal Joint; Retrospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Skin; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29726315
DOI: No ID Found -
The Journal of Hand Surgery Mar 2022Contracture involving flexor aspect of the fingers is one of the common sequelae encountered after burns, infection, and trauma. In the treatment of contractures, the... (Review)
Review
Contracture involving flexor aspect of the fingers is one of the common sequelae encountered after burns, infection, and trauma. In the treatment of contractures, the surgeon is often challenged by the paucity of skin flaps to cover the joint area. It is then covered with skin grafts, leading to recurrence. When there is a large discrepancy between the required and the available length of skin, traditional Z-plasty techniques fail to overcome this deficiency of the skin. We employ 2 long skin flaps to cover the joint, using all the available skin around the contracture and leaving areas on the sides of the digit that are covered by full-thickness skin grafts.
Topics: Burns; Cicatrix; Contracture; Fingers; Humans; Skin Transplantation; Surgical Flaps
PubMed: 34602336
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2021.08.005 -
Journal of Intellectual Disability... Jan 2018The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and type of skin injuries and joint contractures of the upper extremities in individuals with Rett syndrome.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence and type of skin injuries and joint contractures of the upper extremities in individuals with Rett syndrome.
METHODS
In 2016, a questionnaire regarding skin injuries and joint contractures was sent to 1016 directors of schools for special needs education and 204 directors of departments of rehabilitation [consisting of 130 facilities for persons with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID), 73 wards for patients with SMID, and the National Hospital Organisation and National Centre Hospital, National Centre of Neurology and Psychiatry] in Japan. Descriptive statistics were used to indicate frequency in each question.
RESULTS
Information was acquired from 216 cases (3-53 years old) with Rett syndrome. Skin injuries and joint contractures of the upper extremities were observed in 41% and 49% of individuals with Rett syndrome, respectively. Most of the skin injuries were observed on the hands (19%) and fingers (29%). The incidence of skin injuries was not affected by age or disease severity. Many joint contractures were observed in the shoulder (33%) and elbow (29%) joints. Joint contractures tended to occur in individuals aged over 10 years or with severe locomotor impairment.
CONCLUSION
Almost half of the Rett syndrome subjects assessed in the present study had skin injuries and joint contractures. Especially, the incidence of joint contractures was affected by age and disease severity. Thus, it is important that medical staff attempt to prevent the occurrence of skin injuries and joint contractures in this patient population.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Child; Child, Preschool; Contracture; Elbow; Female; Fingers; Hand; Humans; Middle Aged; Rett Syndrome; Severity of Illness Index; Shoulder; Skin Diseases; Young Adult
PubMed: 29214702
DOI: 10.1111/jir.12452 -
The Knee Jun 2023To explore the effects and mechanism of millimeter-wave treatment on the development of joint stiffness in the immobilized knee rat model.
AIM
To explore the effects and mechanism of millimeter-wave treatment on the development of joint stiffness in the immobilized knee rat model.
METHODS
Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the control group (O, n = 8), the surgical control group (OC, n = 8), and the millimeter-wave treatment group (MO, n = 8). After immobilized knee modeling, the knee mobility and quadriceps diameter was measured at the 6th week. Hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining were performed to detect the pathology and fibrous lesions of the knee joint. Furthermore, the expression of TGF-β1 and Collagen I was quantified by immunohistochemical assay in the knee capsule, and Western blotting was performed to quantify the protein expression of NF-κB and MuRF1 in skeletal muscle.
RESULTS
Compared with the O group, knee mobility, and quadriceps diameter was decreased (P < 0.01), and articular capsule fibrosis and quadriceps atrophy occurred in all rats with fixed knee joints. Compared with the OC group, millimeter-wave treatment significantly increased articular mobility and the quadriceps diameter; and improved the fibrotic lesions of the joint capsule and quadriceps atrophy. Moreover, levels of TGF-β1, Collagen I, and MuRF1 were upregulated (P < 0.01) by knee immobilization, and collagen fiber content in the articular capsule was also increased (P < 0.01). However, millimeter-wave treatment reversed it. The most noteworthy result was that NF-κB expression was not significantly different in all groups.
CONCLUSION
Millimeter-wave treatment reversed joint contracture and quadriceps atrophy caused by joint fixation, inhibited TGF-β1 and Collagen I protein expression of the joint capsule and reduced MuRF1 expression of the quadriceps muscle, thereby inhibiting the development of joint stiffness.
Topics: Animals; Rats; Atrophy; Collagen Type I; Contracture; Joint Capsule; Joint Diseases; Knee Joint; NF-kappa B; Range of Motion, Articular; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Transforming Growth Factor beta1
PubMed: 37086540
DOI: 10.1016/j.knee.2023.03.019 -
Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics 2017We hypothesize that surgery for moderate-to-severe camptodactyly (>50 degrees) results in modest gains in range of motion and improved digital position.
BACKGROUND
We hypothesize that surgery for moderate-to-severe camptodactyly (>50 degrees) results in modest gains in range of motion and improved digital position.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis of patients undergoing surgery for camptodactyly at a tertiary children's hospital between 2000 and 2014 was performed. Surgery was indicated for patients with persistent, functionally limiting flexion contractures despite observation, therapy, and splinting. Data were collected on demographics, clinical history and presentation, nonoperative management, surgery, and clinical follow-up, focusing on range of motion at the involved joint. Total passive motion (TPM) and total active motion (TAM) at the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint was calculated at presentation, preoperative visit, first postoperative visit out of the cast, and last follow-up visit. Average postoperative follow-up was 1.4 years.
RESULTS
In total, 31 digits in 22 patients were reviewed. There were 13 males; average age at surgery was 9.6 years. There were 7 type I (infantile), 8 type II (adolescent), and 7 type III (syndromic) patients. All cases involved the PIP joint; 55% involved the small finger. All patients underwent sequential release of contracted structures until maximal extension without compromising vascularity or joint stability was obtained. Z-plasty of the volar skin was performed in 68% of digits, flexor digitorum superficialis tenotomy in 77%, volar plate release in 58%, and collateral ligament release in 48%. All patients were casted postoperatively for an average of 31 days, and 71% of digits had temporary transarticular pin fixation. At initial presentation, mean TPM and TAM were 34 and 24 degrees, respectively. TPM and TAM were 32 and 19 degrees immediately preoperatively, 30 and 13 at the first postoperative visit, and 35 and 25 at the final follow-up. Furthermore, the position of PIP arc of motion was in a more extended position postoperatively. Average TPM arc of motion was from 50 to 82 degrees preoperatively and 28 to 63 degrees at final follow-up; average TAM arc of motion was 62 to 81 degrees preoperatively and 30 to 55 degrees at final follow-up. There were no clinically meaningful differences in results based on camptodactyly type, preoperative motion, or age at surgery. There were no cases of wound infection or dehiscence. Two patients with recurrent contractures opted for subsequent PIP arthrodesis.
CONCLUSIONS
Total motion of the PIP joint was similar both preoperatively and postoperatively following surgical release of camptodactyly. However postoperatively, the digit was in a more extended position over this arc of motion. For patients with functionally limiting flexion contractures, surgical release may be beneficial by providing a more extended position, for improved digital release, hygiene, and esthetics.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level IV.
Topics: Child; Contracture; Female; Finger Joint; Hand Deformities, Congenital; Humans; Male; Postoperative Period; Range of Motion, Articular; Retrospective Studies; Splints
PubMed: 28277466
DOI: 10.1097/BPO.0000000000000967 -
Disability and Rehabilitation Jul 2022In persons with a hip or knee flexion contracture ≥25°, fitting a prosthesis is said to be difficult. This systematic review aims to assess the evidence for fitting...
PURPOSE
In persons with a hip or knee flexion contracture ≥25°, fitting a prosthesis is said to be difficult. This systematic review aims to assess the evidence for fitting of a prosthesis in persons with a severe contracture (≥25°) after a lower limb amputation.
METHOD
PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and Orthotics & Prosthetics Virtual Library databases were searched from inception to December 2019, using database specific search terms related to amputation, prosthesis, and contracture. Reference lists of included studies were checked for relevant studies. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the critical appraisal checklist for case reports (Joanna Briggs Institute).
RESULTS
In total, 13 case studies provided evidence for fitting of a prosthesis in more than 63 persons with a transtibial amputation and three with a transfemoral amputation, all of whom had a hip or knee flexion contracture ≥25°. Some studies found a reduction in contractures after prosthesis use.
CONCLUSIONS
Several techniques for fitting a prosthesis in case of a flexion contracture ≥25° were found. Contracture reduction occurred in some cases and was possibly related to prosthesis use. Fitting a transtibial or transfemoral prosthesis in persons with a lower limb amputation with a severe flexion contracture is possible.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThis study provides information on prosthesis prescriptions and adaptations for persons with a transfemoral and transtibial amputation with a flexion contracture ≥25°.The fitting of bent prostheses is not limited by prosthetic components and techniques.Parallel to the use of bent prostheses, it is also important to treat the contracture.
Topics: Amputation, Surgical; Amputees; Artificial Limbs; Contracture; Humans; Knee Joint; Leg
PubMed: 33683989
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2021.1893393 -
Haemophilia : the Official Journal of... May 2022It is unknown whether altered neural control is associated with clinical outcomes in people with haemophilic arthropathy (PWHA). The dynamic motor control index during...
INTRODUCTION
It is unknown whether altered neural control is associated with clinical outcomes in people with haemophilic arthropathy (PWHA). The dynamic motor control index during walking (Walk-DMC) is a summary metric of neural control.
AIMS
The primary aim of this study was to apply the Walk-DMC to assess if people diagnosed with haemophilic arthropathy have impaired neural control of gait and investigate the association of Walk-DMC with pain and joint impairment.
METHOD
The Walk-DMC was assessed using surface electromyography in 11 leg muscles. Twenty-two PWHA and 15 healthy subjects walked on a 30-m walkway at 1 m/s. In addition, pain (visual analogue scale), knee flexion contracture (degrees) and joint impairment (Haemophilia Joint Health Score, HJHS) were assessed. The clinical outcomes were correlated with the Walk-DMC. Multiple regression analysis was performed to predict the Walk-DMC using the clinical outcomes.
RESULTS
In 13 PWHA the Walk-DMC was beyond the normal range (80-120 pts). PWHA with an altered Walk-DMC showed more years with arthropathy, more pain, higher knee flexion contracture and a higher HJHS score (P < .05, effect size > .8). Significant negative moderate associations between Walk-DMC and pain, knee flexion contracture and HJHS were found (P < .05). The model that best predicted the Walk-DMC was the pain with knee flexion contracture (R = .44; P = .004).
CONCLUSIONS
PWHA with abnormal neural control of gait also has more years with arthropathy, more pain, and more impaired joints. Our results indicate an association between the Walk-DMC index and joint damage, specifically with pain in combination with knee flexion contracture.
Topics: Adult; Arthritis; Contracture; Gait; Hematologic Diseases; Hemophilia A; Humans; Joint Diseases; Knee Joint; Pain
PubMed: 35201643
DOI: 10.1111/hae.14517