The August 2024 Wrist & Hand Roundup. 360. looks at: Methotrexate shows potential in reducing pain for hand osteoarthritis with synovitis; Circumferential casting versus plaster splinting in adult distal radius fractures: the CAST study findings; Surgery shows superior long-term success for Dupuytren contracture compared to needle fasciotomy and collagenase injection; Evolving trends in surgical management of wrist arthritis: a decade-long national analysis; Mid-term outcomes of three commonly used surgical reconstructions for scapholunate instability; SLAC and SNAC: what is the evidence for treatment?; Steroids for trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis?; When is it safe to return to driving after distal radius fracture fixation? A prospective study

The February 2024 Foot & Ankle Roundup³⁶⁰ looks at: Survival of revision ankle arthroplasty; Tibiotalocalcaneal nail for the management of open ankle fractures in the elderly patient; Accuracy of a patient-specific total ankle arthroplasty instrumentation; Fusion after failed primary ankle arthroplasty: can it work?; Treatment options for osteochondral lesions of the talus; Managing hair tourniquet syndrome of toe: a rare emergency; Ultrasound-guided collagenase therapy for recurrent plantar fibromatosis: a promising line of therapy?.

Aims

To estimate the potential cost-effectiveness of adalimumab compared with standard care alone for the treatment of early-stage Dupuytren’s disease (DD) and the value of further research from an NHS perspective.

Aims

In the UK, fasciectomy for Dupuytren’s contracture is generally performed under general or regional anaesthetic, with an arm tourniquet and in a hospital setting. We have changed our practice to use local anaesthetic with adrenaline, no arm tourniquet, and perform the surgery in a community setting. We present the outcome of a consecutive series of 30 patients.

Aims

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) (1-34) exhibits potential in preventing degeneration in both cartilage and subchondral bone in osteoarthritis (OA) development. We assessed the effects of PTH (1-34) at different concentrations on bone and cartilage metabolism in a collagenase-induced mouse model of OA and examined whether PTH (1-34) affects the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway in this process.

Aims

In the context of tendon degenerative disorders, the need for innovative conservative treatments that can improve the intrinsic healing potential of tendon tissue is progressively increasing. In this study, the role of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) in improving the tendon healing process was evaluated in a rat model of collagenase-induced Achilles tendinopathy.

Tendon-related pathologies such as tendinopathy represent a relevant clinical and socioeconomic issue. The most innovative and conservative therapeutic approaches are meant to stimulate the intrinsic healing capability of the tissue. In this study, the use of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) was investigated in a rat model of Achilles tendinopathy as a potential therapy. Achilles tendinopathy was chemically induced in eighty-six Sprague Dawley rats by injecting collagenase Type I within the tendon fibers. Fifty-six of them were stimulated with PEMFs (8 hours/day, 1.5 ± 0.2 mT; 75 Hz), divided in different experimental groups basing on the starting-time of PEMFs exposure (after 0, 7, 15 after Collagenase injection) and its duration (7, 15 or 30 days). Thirty animals were left unstimulated (CTRL group). According to the different time points, explanted tendons were evaluated through histological and immunohistochemical analyses in term of matrix deposition, fiber re-organization, neovascularization and inflammatory reaction. The most effective PEMF stimulation was demonstrated in the 15 days of treatment. However, when PEMF were applied immediately after the collagenase injection, no significant therapeutic results were found. On the contrary, when PEMF were applied after 7 and 15 days from the collagenase injection, they promoted the deposition of extracellular matrix and tendon fiber re-organization, reducing both the inflammatory reaction and vascularization, with significant differences compared to the CTRL group (p<0.05). Therefore, these results suggest an effective activity of PEMFs stimulation that provides a satisfying restoration of the damaged tissue, although the most performing protocol of application still needs to be identified

Aims

Dupuytren’s contracture is a benign, myoproliferative condition affecting the palmar fascia that results in progressive contractures of the fingers. Despite increased knowledge of the cellular and connective tissue changes involved, neither a cure nor an optimum form of treatment exists. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the best available evidence on the management of this condition.

The collagenase of Clostridium Histolyticum enzyme infiltration is a mini-invasive treatment method for Dupuytren's disease which has emerged in recent years as an alternative to traditional surgery (selective aponeurectomy). Although both treatments are effective in the long term, a wider use of the enzyme is spreading worldwide. Indications and protocol of administration of collagenase are strictly regulated by the Italian Drug Administration Agency (AIFA). In the present study an off-label use of this medication has been experienced, in terms of wider indications and more numerous infiltration sites in the same cord (Multipoint technique) and in additional cords affecting other digits (Multicord technique). All patients suffering from Dupuytren's disease and accessing the Hand Surgery outpatient at Rizzoli Institute were considered for the study, between february 2014 and february 2016. Inclusion criteria were Dupuytren's disease and a positive tabletop test. The collagenase injection was indicated for degrees of passive extension deficit (PED) higher than AIFA regulations (MCPJoints >50° and PIPJoints >45°). These patients were compared with the same PED subgroup of surgical patients who were treated through aponeurectomy. Since the drug is dispensed in vials of 0.90 mg, but according to the protocol only 0.58 mg are to be infiltrated, the injection of the remaining 0.32 mg that would otherwise remain unused was experienced. Therefore, in patients who had only one pathological cord in the hand, the first point of the cord to be treated was inoculated with 0.58 mg, according to standards, while two additional points were selected along the fibrosis and injected with the remaining 0, 32 mg. This group was compared with patients treated with the traditional 0.58 mg only on a single cord. In patients in whom the presence of more than a single pathological cord was found, the worse lesion was injected with the usual 0.58 mg as by legislation and the second cord was infiltrated with the 0.32 mg residue and the results obtained within the second cord were compared with those achieved with the usual dose of 0.58 mg. The endpoints considered were the perioperative variations of passive extension deficit (PED) and range of motion (ROM), both expressed as degrees. Data were statistically analyzed in order to find any possible significance in the comparison of groups. Comparing the surgical patients with those treated with collagenase, for the same degrees but higher than AIFA reference, both methods showed a reduction of contracture by at least 50% at 30 days and an improvement of ROM (p>0.05), with fewer complications in those treated enzymatically (p<0.01). Infiltrating the whole dose of collagenase (0.90 mg) through the multipoint mode, has enabled an easier handling of the cord at 24 hours post-injection, a reduction in contracture of at least 50% at 30 days allowing a dowstaging of the disease and a better and faster recovery of hand function, than the classic treatment, although these results are not statistically significant (p>0.05). For degrees of contractures within AIFA indications for collagenase, the 0.32 mg dose is sufficient to cause the lysis of a cord with similar results compared to the greater AIFA-recommended dose of 0.58, in terms of all considered endpoints, with no statistically significant difference (p >0.01). This study confirms the success of treatment with collagenase compared to surgical treatment, in terms of efficacy, safety, more rapid recovery and less invasiveness. In addition, through further clinical studies, AIFA regulations can be gradually safely and effectively extended in terms of a progressive widening of indications and modalities including:. Indication to collagenase for PED higher than 50° (MCP joints) or 45° (PIP joints). Multiple injections in the same cord with the whole content of the vial (0.90 mg). Injections in multiple cords with the whole content of the vial (0.90 mg)

Dupuytren Disease (DD), the most common connective tissue disease in man, presents as a benign fibromatosis of the hands and fingers resulting in the formation of nodules and cords and often leading to flexion contractures in association with keloids or Peyronie disease. Surgical resection of the fibrotic nodules, and more recently intra-lesional collagenase injection are the main therapeutic options for these patients. While the exact cause of DD is still unknown, linkage and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) showed molecular heterogeneity with at least 10 different susceptibility loci 6 of which are close to genes encoding proteins in the Wnt-signaling pathway. We aim to identify the molecular basis of Dupuytren Disease (DD). Twenty patients with Dupuytren disease (including 3 patients with autosomal dominant inheritance, 1 with keloids and congenital torticollis, 2 with Peronie disease), were included in this study. Chromosome Microarray Analysis (CMA), Whole Exome Sequencing (WES) of gDNA and proteomic analysis by LC-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MSMS) studies were performed. Expression and Network analysis of LCMSMS results was performed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), ANOVA and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). No pathogenic copy number variants (CNVs) were found in CMA (n = 3). WES showed potentially pathogenic variants in POSTN, WNT11, MMP1 and COL3A1. PCA showed three differentially expressed clusters and network-IPA identified ACTB, BAX, COL3A1, FBN1, FN1, MMP1 as potential biomarkers. Comprehensive multi-OMIC analysis of gDNA and tissue proteins in patients with DD identified several connective tissue biomarkers potentially important in the pathogenesis of DD

Objectives

Triamcinolone acetonide (TA) is widely used for the treatment of rotator cuff injury because of its anti-inflammatory properties. However, TA can also produce deleterious effects such as tendon degeneration or rupture. These harmful effects could be prevented by the addition of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), however, the anti-inflammatory and anti-degenerative effects of the combined use of TA and PRP have not yet been made clear. The objective of this study was to determine how the combination of TA and PRP might influence the inflammation and degeneration of the rotator cuff by examining rotator cuff-derived cells induced by interleukin (IL)-1ß.

Objectives. Recent studies have shown that systemic injection of rapamycin can prevent the development of osteoarthritis (OA)-like changes in human chondrocytes and reduce the severity of experimental OA. However, the systemic injection of rapamycin leads to many side effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of intra-articular injection of Torin 1, which as a specific inhibitor of mTOR which can cause induction of autophagy, is similar to rapamycin, on articular cartilage degeneration in a rabbit osteoarthritis model and to investigate the mechanism of Torin 1’s effects on experimental OA. Methods. Collagenase (type II) was injected twice into both knees of three-month-old rabbits to induce OA, combined with two intra–articular injections of Torin 1 (400 nM). Degeneration of articular cartilage was evaluated by histology using the Mankin scoring system at eight weeks after injection. Chondrocyte degeneration and autophagosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Matrix metallopeptidase-13 (MMP-13) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression were analysed by quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR).Beclin-1 and light chain 3 (LC3) expression were examined by Western blotting. Results. Intra-articular injection of Torin 1 significantly reduced degeneration of the articular cartilage after induction of OA. Autophagosomes andBeclin-1 and LC3 expression were increased in the chondrocytes from Torin 1-treated rabbits. Torin 1 treatment also reduced MMP-13 and VEGF expression at eight weeks after collagenase injection. Conclusion. Our results demonstrate that intra-articular injection of Torin 1 reduces degeneration of articular cartilage in collagenase-induced OA, at least partially by autophagy activation, suggesting a novel therapeutic approach for preventing cartilage degeneration and treating OA. Cite this article: N-T. Cheng, A. Guo, Y-P. Cui. Intra-articular injection of Torin 1 reduces degeneration of articular cartilage in a rabbit osteoarthritis model. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:218–224. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.56.BJR-2015-0001

Objectives

Injectable Bromelain Solution (IBS) is a modified investigational derivate of the medical grade bromelain-debriding pharmaceutical agent (NexoBrid) studied and approved for a rapid (four-hour single application), eschar-specific, deep burn debridement. We conducted an ex vivo study to determine the ability of IBS to dissolve-disrupt (enzymatic fasciotomy) Dupuytren’s cords.

The June 2015 Wrist & Hand Roundup360 looks at: Collagenase and Dupuytren’s disease – a genuine alternative to surgery?; iPad PROMise?; Should we learn how to do endoscopic carpal tunnel release?; Two-week radiographs a relic of the past?; Bible? Aspirate or excise?; Patient expectations and trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis; Splintage in the treatment of sagittal band incompetence and extensor tendon subluxation

In December 2012 the orthopaedic Hand and wrist unit at Derriford hospital introduced the use of collagenase injections for the treatment of Dupuytrens' contracture, and currently remains the only centre to use it in the southwest peninsula. We present the short term results of our first year of use of the therapy. There was a statistically significant improvement in PEM scores by 1 and 3 months post-treatment (P: 0.0001 and 0.0016 with 95% confidence). Full correction was obtained in 81% of all MCPJ contractures included in the analysis. Success with PIPJ contractures was more limited, however there was still an average correction of 30 degrees achieved. Complications were limited to skin tears, all of which healed at subsequent follow-up, and 2 failures of therapy. We will continue to use this therapy and as experience and expertise build we hope we can improve our outcomes further

Dupuytren's disease is often disabling and traditionally has been managed with various surgical methods, with recurrence rates up to 50 %. Recently clostridial collagenase injection has been licensed for use in the NHS. We prospectively analysed the results of clostridial collagenase injection in 62 patients with varying degrees of Metacarpo phalangeal (MCP) and Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint contractures. There were 48 males and 14 females with an average age of 66 years. The average MCPJ and PIPJ deformities were 33 and 17 degrees respectively. Following the infiltration and subsequent manipulation under local anaesthetic and night splinting for 3 months, patients were followed up at 4 weeks and 6 months. Deformities persisted in 5 patients and later required surgical correction. MCPJ deformities were more amenable for correction than PIPJ and in those with recurrence. The average residual deformity was 7 degrees. Common complications include bruising, swelling, pain not responding to routine analgesia, lymphangitis and skin break in some but none required any additional interventions. 14 patients had completed 6 month follow up and there was no recurrence. Subjective assessment through questionnaires revealed high patient satisfaction rate with early return to work within 1 week in most patients. Patients with previous operations preferred injections over operative correction. Collagenase injections are effective in deformity correction with higher satisfaction rate and low morbidity. Early results are encouraging but long term follow up is required to assess recurrence rates