Introduction: Postoperative ulnar neuropathy is still an unresolved complication in patients undergoing plate fixation of distal humerus fractures. We hypothesized that decreased blood flow to the ulnar nerve due to intraoperative procedures is an important factor in the development of postoperative ulnar neuropathy. We herein report three cases of distal humerus fractures in which the soft tissues surrounding the ulnar nerve were preserved as much as possible and finally not transferred anteriorly. Case Presentation. A 76-year-old woman, 82-year-old woman, and 34-year-old woman underwent plate fixation for distal humerus fractures. None of the patients developed postoperative ulnar neuropathy, and there were no complaints of numbness after postoperative day 1. Nerve conduction studies were performed after 3 months postoperatively and revealed that the motor nerve conduction velocities and compound motor nerve action potentials of the ulnar nerve in two of the three patients were higher than those of the noninjured side. In one of the three patients, these values were slightly lower than those of the noninjured side. All three patients achieved bony union after several months postoperatively.
Conclusions: We obtained good outcomes with the ulnar nerve coverage method for preventing postoperative ulnar neuropathy in patients with distal humerus fractures. Preservation of blood flow to the ulnar nerve was considered important, and anatomical repositioning of the ulnar nerve after plate fixation has the potential to prevent adhesion between the ulnar nerve and the plate.
The present study investigated the clinical utility of ultrasound imaging (USI) for assessing changes in an individual's quadriceps muscle and subcutaneous fat (SF) thickness of the anterior thigh and their relative proportions. A patient was studied prior to and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery and during rehabilitation. This case study involved an 18-year-old female recreational athlete with a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Tissue thickness (SF and quadriceps muscle) was measured from transverse USI of the anterior thigh before surgery, at weekly intervals during 12 weeks of postsurgery, and then every 2 weeks for the following 12 weeks (total of 21 measurement sets). Statistically significant differences presurgery to postrehabilitation were found for muscle thickness (p = 0.04) and SF tissue thickness (p = 0.04) measurements. There was no difference in muscle to fat ratio (p = 0.08). Changes in measurements greater than the reported minimal detectable change (MDC) demonstrate the sensitivity of the USI technique as an objective tool to assess clinically useful changes in an individual's anterior thigh muscle thickness post-ACLR surgery and during rehabilitation.
Case: A previously healthy 11-year-old girl underwent expedited surgical fixation of a femoral neck fracture sustained while jump-roping. After further work up, she was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism. Parathyroidectomy of a hypertrophic adenoma proved curative. Now, five months post left hip surgery, the patient is pain-free and walks without a limp.
Conclusion: We describe the first published case of primary hyperparathyroidism presenting as a pathologic hip fracture in a child. Although presentation with a fracture is exceedingly rare, bone pain is a frequent complaint of pediatric hyperparathyroidism. Orthopedic surgeons may find themselves the front-line caregivers for the condition.
We present a case of a 33-year-old male with a history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) autograft and prior ipsilateral hamstring harvest, who presented with a complete patella tendon rupture (PTR) 12 years after ACLR. The patient underwent a successful patellar tendon (PT) repair augmented with Achilles tendon allograft and cerclage with nonabsorbable suture tape. PTR after ACLR with BPTB autograft is rare, particularly in patients over a decade out from the index procedure, but can occur. This case report highlights a novel technique for PT repair following BTB ACLR in a hamstring deficient knee.
Background: Osteochondral lesions (OCLs) can significantly impact functional status and activities of daily living. Weightbearing joints are disproportionately affected due to considerable biomechanical forces in these areas. Various biologic reconstructive procedures such as microfracture, osteochondral autograft transfer (OATS) or allograft transplantation (OCA), and matrix-induced autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI) are utilized by surgeons to treat OCLs. The integration of osteochondral allografts can restore knee function and maintain the integrity of adjacent joint surfaces. Bone incorporation has been linked to successful outcomes following OCA. Pulse lavage and carbon dioxide have been used to remove marrow elements from the superficial, middle, and deep layers of the allograft; this has been combined with the use of various biologics such as bone marrow aspirate or whole blood to augment donor bone incorporation into the host bone. We present an innovative augmentation approach in OCA transplantation demonstrating excellent incorporation of an osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1) implant (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI) to treat a large fresh osteoarticular allograft. Case Presentation. We present a 51-year-old male who received OCA augmented with an OP-1 implant (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI) in 2011. Due to subsequent ACL reconstruction for two years and medial meniscal repair four years following OCA transplantation, we were able to arthroscopically evaluate graft status at short- and intermediate-term follow-ups. Positive findings were further verified with radiographic imaging and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).
Conclusion: OP-1 implants aided in the bone incorporation of a large osteochondral allograft, restoring a high functional level in a demanding sport.
Intraosseous ganglion cysts (IGC) of the carpal bones are frequently reported in the literature, involving at most two carpal bones of the same wrist. Only one case recently described the presence of multiple intraosseous ganglion lesions in the capitate, lunate, and triquetrum, resulting in chronic wrist pain. The following study reports the first case of multiple IGCs causing a unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), in a 56-year-old woman, with no previous history of trauma. Failure of conservative management prompted carpal tunnel release and the surgical excision of the ICGs, followed by autologous bone grafting to fill in the defects. Consequently, IGCs must be considered in the differential diagnosis of unilateral CTS due to the expansile nature of the bone lesions.

