Aims

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro effects of apocynin, an inhibitor of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) and a downregulator of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), on high glucose-induced oxidative stress on tenocytes.

It is well recognised that patients with diabetes mellitus have a predisposition towards stenosing flexor tenosynovitis (FTS). However, recent research has suggested an association between the development of FTS and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level which is used as a marker of glycaemic control. National guidelines on management of diabetes suggest treatment should aim to maintain HbA1c at <6.5%. The aim of our study is to quantify glycaemic control in patients undergoing surgical A1 pulley release. We retrospectively reviewed the blood results of 78 patients who underwent FTS surgery. 27 of these had an HbA1c checked within 6 months of their surgery and we therefore presumed these patients were diabetic. For diabetic patients the average HbA1c was 7.9% (range 5.3–11.4) and only 7 of the 27 patients had an HbA1c within the recommended range. In this cohort 33% of patients were presumed diabetic and 74% of these had a documented HbA1c above the national target suggesting a significant number presenting for surgery have poor glycaemic control. Therefore it may be of benefit to screen for this in patients undergoing FTS surgery

Acute peroneal tendon tears present as a relatively sudden onset of lateral ankle or hindfoot pain, frequently in conjunction with a traumatic episode or injury. Underlying or causative factors, including recurrent ankle sprains, hindfoot varus leading to ankle instability, or dislocating peroneal tendons may be associated and can often lead to peroneal tendon tears being overlooked as a cause of persistent lateral ankle or foot pain. Some apparently acute peroneal tendon tears may represent an acute manifestation of an underlying chronic or subclinical abnormality. The spectrum of peroneal tendinopathies includes tenosynovitis, tendinosis, subluxation or dislocation, stenosing tenosynovitis, disorders of the os peroneum, and conditions related to accessory peroneal tendons, as well as acute and chronic tendon tears. These abnormalities of the peroneal tendons may coexist, and one may lead to another, as evidenced by the significant incidence of tears in the presence of dislocating peronei and ankle instability. Suspicion of the possibility of peroneal tendon injury, coupled with careful clinical examination and appropriate investigation, allows the clinician to identify the extent of damage and to implement a successful management plan. Because peroneal tears signify a mechanical abnormality, this management often entails surgical intervention

Injection of corticosteroids into the digital flexor tendon sheath is an accepted and effective treatment for stenosing tenosynovitis. However, despite long historical experience with this procedure, there remains no guide in the literature as to the optimal dose of steroid. Furthermore, the accuracy of these injections has not been well established. Using a prospective, randomized, blinded design, this study compares the outcomes of high (20 mg) and low (10 mg) dose depomedrol injection. Furthermore, the accuracy of tendon sheath injections was assessed radiographically. The findings demonstrate increased effectiveness of the higher steroid dose and a significant learning curve associated with intra-thecal injections. Injection of corticosteroids into the digital flexor tendon sheath is an accepted and effective treatment for stenosing tenosynovitis (trigger finger). However, despite long historical experience with this procedure, there remains no guide in the literature as to the safe and effective dose of steroid to be administered. Furthermore, the accuracy of digital tendon sheath injections has not been well established. One study has suggested that steroid injected outside the tendon sheath was as effective as intra-thecal injection and may result in reduced complications of infection and tendon rupture. Using a prospective, blinded design, patients were randomized to receive either high (20 mg) or low (10 mg) dose depomedrol injection. The accuracy of the steroid injections was determined radiographically using non-ionic radio-opaque dye. Outcome measures included pain, tenderness, presence of a palpable nodule, triggering, and limitation of activities (work, hobbies, ADLs). Complications such as pain, stiffness, bruising, thinning of the fat or skin, infection and tendon rupture were also recorded. Higher dose depomedrol (20 mg) was found to be more effective for relieving pain and triggering than lower dose depomedrol (10 mg). No increase in complication rate was encountered. Stenosing tenosynovitis in diabetic patients was markedly less responsive to treatment. Injection accuracy was found to increase with clinical experience from approximately 50% for beginners to over 90% for experienced hand surgeons. At the time of submission of this abstract, patient numbers (currently forty-one participants) do not allow analysis regarding the effect of injection accuracy on clinical outcome

Locking of the MCP joint of the finger, except with stenosing tenosynovitis, is relatively rare. The middle finger is most frequently involved. We treated 7 patients who had locking of the MCP joint of the middle finger because of osteophyte of the metacarpal head. The locking of the MCP joint usually occurred in the older patient as a result of significant osteophyte around the metacarpal head. Unlocking of the MCP joint was done by closed manipulation under local anaesthesia. Locking of the MCP joint of the finger because of other causes than tenosynovitis has been reported infrequently. Locking of the MCP joint caused by osteophyte of the head of the metacarpal is characterised by painful loss of extension of the MCP joint without loss of flexion. We have treated 7 patients who had locking of the MCP joint occurring in the middle finger with an obvious osteophyte of the metacarpal head. Seven patients, 4 women and 3 men, were treated in our Department. None of the patients had a history of trauma to their hands, and in all of them it was the dominant hand which was affected and usually due to powerful full flexion movement of the fingers. The average age was 73.8 years (65 – 81). The duration of locking was from 3 hours to 14 days. All the patients were treated within 30–60 minutes after reporting to our Clinic. The presentation of the patients was extremely similar. In all cases active and passive extension was blocked and they had pain around the finger. Full flexion was possible. The MCP joint was tender around the palmar aspect with slight diffuse swelling around the dorsal aspect. Radiographs of the MCP showed degenerative changes in all the patients and oblique views demonstrated an osteophyte either on the ulnar or the radial side of the head. Local anaesthetic Lignocaine 1% 5ml was injected in the MCP and around the joint and after 5–10 minutes manipulation was performed, unlocking achieved and the patients straightaway extended and flexed the finger fully. No-one underwent surgical release. Follow-up from 3 to 8 months, average 6 months. No recurrence of the locking. Akio Minami reported 4 cases of MCP joint locking of the middle finger, treated surgically. Williams classified the locking of the MCP joint in 3 groups. Langenskiold reported 2 cases of intrinsic locking of the MCP due to catching of the collateral ligament on the lateral bony projection of the metacarpal head. It is very difficult to explain why the middle finger is most likely affected. Kessler noted that the MCP joint seldom participates in a generalised degenerative OA