Search

Objective: The goal of this study was to describe anatomical variations and clinical implications of anterior interosseous nerve. In complete anterior interosseous nerve palsy, the patient is unable to flex the distal phalanx of the thumb and index finger; in incomplete anterior interosseous nerve palsy, there is less axonal damage, and either the thumb or the index finger are affected., Methods: This study was based on the dissection of 50 limbs of 25 cadavers, 22 were male and three, female. Age ranged from 28 to 77 years, 14 were white and 11 were non-white; 18 were prepared by intra-arterial injection of a solution of 10% glycerol and formaldehyde, and seven were freshly dissected cadavers., Results: The anterior interosseous nerve arose from the median nerve, an average of 5.2 cm distal to the intercondylar line. In 29 limbs, it originated from the nerve fascicles of the posterior region of the median nerve and in 21 limbs, of the posterolateral fascicles. In 41 limbs, the anterior interosseous nerve positioned between the humeral and ulnar head of the pronator teres muscle. In two limbs, anterior interosseous nerve duplication was observed. In all members, it was observed that the anterior interosseous nerve arose from the median nerve proximal to the arch of the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle. In 24 limbs, the branches of the anterior interosseous nerve occurred proximal to the arch and in 26, distal to it., Conclusion: The fibrous arches formed by the humeral and ulnar heads of the pronator teres muscle, the fibrous arch of the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle, and the Gantzer muscle (when hypertrophied and positioned anterior to the anterior interosseous nerve), can compress the nerve against deep structures, altering its normal course, by narrowing its space, causing alterations longus and flexor digitorum profundus muscles.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the anatomic variations of the bicipital aponeurosis (BA) ( lacertus fibrosus ) and its implications for the compression of the median nerve, which is positioned medially to the brachial artery, passing under the bicipital aponeurosis., Methods: Sixty upper limbs of 30 cadavers were dissected, 26 of which were male and four, female; of the total, 15 had been previously preserved in formalin and glycerine and 15 were dissected fresh in the Laboratory of Anatomy., Results: In 55 limbs, short and long heads of the biceps muscle contributed to the formation of the BA, and the most significant contribution was always from the short head. In three limbs, only the short head contributed to the formation of the BA. In two limbs, the BA was absent. The length of the bicipital aponeurosis from its origin to its insertion ranged from 4.5 to 6.2 cm and its width, from 0.5 to 2.6 cm. In 42 limbs, the BA was thickened; of these, in 27 it was resting directly on the median nerve, and in 17 a high insertion of the humeral head of the pronator teres muscle was found, and the muscle was interposed between the BA and the median nerve., Conclusion: These results suggest that a thickened BA may be a potential factor for nerve compression, by narrowing the space through which the median nerve passes.

Hamstring (HS) muscle injuries are the most common injury in sports. They are correlated to long rehabilitations and have a great tendency to recur. The HS consist of the long head of the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. The patient's clinical presentation depends on the characteristics of the lesion, which may vary from strain to avulsions of the proximal insertion. The most recognized risk factor is a previous injury. Magnetic resonance imaging is the method of choice for the injury diagnosis and classification. Many classification systems have been proposed; the current classifications aim to describe the injury and correlate it to the prognosis. The treatment is conservative, with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs in the acute phase followed by a muscle rehabilitation program. Proximal avulsions have shown better results with surgical repair. When the patient is pain free, shows recovery of strength and muscle flexibility, and can perform the sport's movements, he/she is able to return to play. Prevention programs based on eccentric strengthening of the muscles have been indicated both to prevent the initial injury as well as preventing recurrence.

Objective: To determine the frequency and features of the arcade of Struthers, and to assess its clinical implication in ulnar nerve compression., Method: Forty arms from 26 cadaver specimens were dissected in the Anatomy Laboratory of this institution. The extension of the arcade, distance from the medial epicondyle, and relation with ulnar nerve were recorded., Results: The arcade of Struthers was identified in 40 dissected arms (100%). In 29 (72.5%) the ulnar nerve was covered by a muscular arcade, in nine (22.5%) by an aponeurotic arcade, and in two (5%) the arcade was beneath the ulnar nerve. The extension of the arcade ranged from 3.0 to 7.5 cm, and the distance from the medial epicondyle ranged from 2.5 to 7.0 cm., Conclusion: The arcade of Struthers is a musculoaponeurotic canal that represents an important site of entrapment or compression of the ulnar nerve. The arcade, the intermuscular septum, and the internal brachial ligament should be released in patients submitted to ulnar nerve anterior transposition surgery.

Objective: The main objective of this study was to describe Martin-Gruber anastomosis anatomically and to recognize its clinical repercussions., Method: 100 forearms of 50 adult cadavers were dissected in an anatomy laboratory. The dissection was performed by means of a midline incision along the entire forearm and the lower third of the upper arm. Two flaps including skin and subcutaneous tissue were folded back on the radial and ulnar sides, respectively., Results: Nerve communication between the median and ulnar nerves in the forearm (Martin-Gruber anastomosis) was found in 27 forearms. The anastomosis was classified into six types: type I: anastomosis between the anterior interosseous nerve and the ulnar nerve (n = 9); type II: anastomosis between the anterior interosseous nerve and the ulnar nerve at two points (double anastomosis) (n = 2); type III: anastomosis between the median nerve and the ulnar nerve (n = 4); type IV: anastomosis between branches of the median nerve and ulnar nerve heading toward the flexor digitorum profundus muscle of the fingers; these fascicles form a loop with distal convexity (n = 5); type V: intramuscular anastomosis (n = 5); and type VI: anastomosis between a branch of the median nerve to the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle and the ulnar nerve (n = 2)., Conclusion: Knowledge of the anatomical variations relating to the innervation of the hand has great importance, especially with regard to physical examination, diagnosis, prognosis and surgical treatment. If these variations are not given due regard, errors and other consequences will be inevitable.

Objective: To present the surgical technique for the He-miCAP-Arthrosurface(®) system and evaluate our results from this technique for treating primary and/or secondary shoulder osteoarthrosis., Method: Between June 2007 and June 2009, 10 shoulders of 10 patients (nine with primary osteoarthrosis and one with avascular necrosis of the humeral head) underwent surface arthroplasty using the HemiCAP-Arthrosurface(®) system to correct the problem. The follow-up time ranged from six to 29 months (mean of 17 months). The patients' ages ranged from 62 to 73 years (mean of 67.5 years). Six patients were female and four patients were male. The patients were followed up weekly for the first month after the surgical procedure and every three months thereafter. The clinic evaluation was done using the criteria of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and a visual analogue pain scale., Results: All the patients said that they were satisfied with the results from the surgical treatment, with a mean UCLA score of 30 points and a mean analogue pain score of two points., Conclusion: The HemiCAP-Arthrosurface(®) system for shoulder surgery for a specific group of patients is a technique that preserves the bone stock with good functional and antalgic results.

Unlabelled: Presenting the arthroscopic treatment by Tight Rope - Arthrex(®) system for acute acromioclavicular dislocation and to evaluate results obtained with this procedure., Methods: Between August 2006 and May 2007, 10 shoulders of 10 patients with acute acromioclavicular dislocation were submitted to arthroscopic repair using the Tight Rope - Arthrex(®) system. Minimum follow-up was 12 months, with a mean of 15 months. Age ranged from 26 to 42, mean 34 years. All patients were male. Radiology evaluation was made by trauma series x-ray. The patients were assisted in the first month weekly and after three months after the procedure. Clinical evaluation was based on the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) criteria., Results: All patients were satisfied after the arthroscopic procedure and the mean UCLA score was 32,5., Conclusion: The arthroscopic treatment by Tight Rope - Arthrex(®) system for acute acromioclavicular dislocation showed to be an efficient technique.

Objective: To radiographically evaluate individuals who underwent opening wedge proximal tibial osteotomy, with the aim of analyzing the proximal tibial slope in the frontal and sagittal planes, and the patellar height., Method: The study included 22 individuals who were operated at the National Traumatology and Orthopedics Institute (INTO) for correction of varus angular tibial deviation using the opening wedge osteotomy (OWO) technique with the Orthofix monolateral external fixator. Patients with OWO whose treatment was completed between January 2000 and December 2006 were analyzed. The measurement technique consisted of using anteroposterior radiographs with loading and lateral views with the operated knees flexed at 30°., Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the pre and postoperative tibial slope and patellar height values in the patients evaluated., Conclusion: Opening wedge proximal tibial osteotomy is a technique that avoids the problems presented by high proximal tibial osteotomy, since it is done without causing changes to the extensor mechanism, ligament imbalance or distortions in the proximal tibia.

Unlabelled: To present the arthroscopic surgical technique and the evaluation of the results from this technique for treating elbow stiffness., Methods: Between April 2007 and January 2010, ten elbows of ten patients with elbow stiffness underwent arthroscopic treatment to release the range of motion. The minimum follow-up was 11 months, with an average of 27 months. All the patients were male and their average age was 32.8 years (ranging from 22 to 48 years). After the arthroscopic treatment, they were followed up weekly in the first month and every three months thereafter. The clinical evaluation was made using the criteria of the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)., Results: All the patients were satisfied with the results from the arthroscopic treatment. The average UCLA score was 33.8 points., Conclusion: Arthroscopic treatment for elbow stiffness is a minimally invasive surgical technique that was shown to be efficient for treating this complication.

Objective: Describe the ligamentous and associated injuries that occur in the traumatic knee dislocation, relating them to the mechanisms of trauma and to identify patterns of injuries., Methods: Twenty three knee dislocations were described in the period between March 2010 and March 2011. After the diagnosis of the lesions, the reduction and transarticular external fixation of the dislocated knees were done. At the second moment, the patients were evaluated with physical examination under anesthesia and the surgical exploration of peripheral lesions was perfomed by a surgeon of the knee surgery group of this institution. The patients data with the description of the injuries were found and registered., Results: 65% of patients were male, the average age was 35 years and the most common mechanism of trauma was the motorcycle accident (60%). The lesion of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) occurred in 75% of the cases, and the lesion of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in 95%. The medial peripheral injuries happened in 65% of the dislocations, and the lateral lesions in 40%. The most common dislocations were classified as KDI (25%) and as KDIIIm (25%). The arterial injury was present in 15% of the cases, and the nervous injury where registered in one patient (5%). At the initial radiographic evaluation, 45% of the dislocations presented reduced., Conclusion: The characteristics of the knee dislocations described showed a great range of variability demonstrating that an individualized evaluation of each case is mandatory. The surgeon should be able to recognize and choose the correct treatment to these lesions.